You have not lived a full life, or even got to any degree of status as a human until you have helped a 6th grader complete a science project. In fact, I am so convinced that this is a pivotal part of development in the human species that even if you do not have children, you must go down to an elementary school talk to the principal and sign up to volunteer and help with a kids’ project. I have now had this opportunity three times, and each time it becomes a even more a crucible, a refiners’ fire that tests my resolve to be a better person, a better father and improve the world in the eyes of an 11 year old.
You see the 6th grade science project is the first time that your child really has an opportunity to complete a large scale document that covers multiple disciplinary boundaries. Research, writing, documentation, art work, and communications. It shifts a child from basic grammar to applied learning and it is a shock to them and a concrete reminder to the adult of what real value, or real work is. This is not a process of regurgitation, it is real thoughts, real creativity that requires effort and careful consideration. There are no short cuts with the 6th Grade Science Project, it is a good healthy dose of the cold hard reality of the efficacy of a disciplined process.
Of course you will fail, you will delay the inevitable. You will procrastinate and so will your child. They will find the release for Fortnite Chapter 3 far more interesting than completely their “Analyzing Data” progress assignment and you will feel compelled to watch one more episode of the Wheel of Time. You will learn, believe me, you will learn. This is why you need at least 3 children, because if after the first complete failure, you do not learn your lesson the second one, then by the third one you will not mess around. You will force the issue, you will get it done, you will spend several Saturday mornings in a row just getting the work done because know you now. You are experienced. You are now a real man. You are a complete human.
Guy Reams
