When you think of a parent’s worst nightmares, you might picture stomach bugs, lice outbreaks, or that heartbreaking moment when your child exclaims, “I hate you.” However, I’d like to add another dreaded scenario: the announcement that your child must participate in an upcoming science fair.
Until recently, I had successfully dodged this responsibility. Now, with my daughter in fifth grade, she broke the news to me a few months back, and I turned to my partner, Mark, and said, “You’re taking care of this!”
The mere thought of poster boards, messy experiments, and drafting a hypothesis made me cringe. I’m a creative type, thriving in art and literature, while science and mathematics have never been my strong suits. In high school, I barely scraped through chemistry; the periodic table looked like an alien language to me. Despite my efforts, it just didn’t click. Thankfully, I chose a psychology degree that didn’t require more science courses.
Fortunately, I married someone who excels at writing abstracts and crunching numbers. Our differences work well, especially when faced with a required science project.
Once I handed the project over to Mark, I didn’t give it much thought until I learned that our daughter, Lily, had chosen a particularly complex topic. Of course she did! Lily has a passion for math and science, and despite my reluctance, she was genuinely excited about the project.
We spent $40 on supplies from an online store, and I still had no idea what she was up to. Her project turned out to be about cooking for chemists—something that she found captivating. While I stayed out of the scientific details, I wondered why these science fairs still existed.
After several evenings filled with discussions about science between Lily and Mark, it was finally time for me to contribute: the poster. Armed with my scrapbooking materials, I helped her organize the information on her board, feeling a sense of accomplishment as we completed the project.
Then came the surprise—Lily secured second place at her school and was the only girl among the top three moving on to the district level. She excelled there too, and now she’s headed to the state finals. While I’m incredibly proud, part of me groaned, thinking, “Not the never-ending science fair!”
Throughout this journey, I came to realize the fault lay not with the science fair, but with my own attitude. My daughter was thriving in an area she loved, participating in a STEM event and achieving success—she was the only girl from her school to reach this stage, and everyone was cheering for her.
I had always encouraged my kids to pursue their passions, yet I wasn’t fully supporting Lily’s scientific endeavors. Even though I may not grasp scientific concepts as she does, I can still provide encouragement and show enthusiasm for her interests. Raising a daughter who believes she can achieve anything is my top priority.
Research from the 2009 American Community Survey indicates that although women constitute nearly half of the workforce in the U.S., they occupy less than 25% of STEM jobs. A year ago, Lily shared her dream of opening a bakery with a reading nook—an idea I fully supported because it resonated with my own passions. However, I’ve come to realize my enthusiasm must extend to areas like science and math so she can believe that anything is achievable.
A recent survey by Microsoft highlighted that girls’ interest in STEM subjects peaks around age 11, only to decline significantly by age 15. This stark reality emphasizes the need for parents and educators to nurture girls’ enthusiasm for these fields during these crucial years.
While Lily may not necessarily pursue a STEM career, I now recognize the importance of fostering a love for science and math in her. As awareness grows about the significance of women in STEM, thanks in part to inspiring films like Hidden Figures, I understand that my attitude must shift as well. Even if I can’t help with her math homework, I can still demonstrate my support and excitement for her passions.
Thanks to the science fair, I’ve learned to embrace my daughter’s interests, no matter how foreign they may seem to me.
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Summary
In reflecting on my daughter Lily’s science fair journey, I realized that my negative attitude towards science stemmed from my own experiences. While I initially dreaded the project, I learned to support Lily’s passion for STEM, recognizing its importance for her future. Encouraging her interests in science and math is crucial, as girls’ enthusiasm for these subjects often wanes during adolescence. By changing my perspective, I can help foster her love for learning and empower her to pursue her dreams.