I got an F on my nephew's DNA model bc I included the As, Ts, Cs, & Gs and the teacher didn't know what they were, despite them being listed on the "include" instructions. I was fuming mad, but the kid thought it was funny.
this post was submitted on 22 Jan 2026
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I hate that as an adult I think of things that would be interesting to experiment all of the time, many of them would be doable for a school-aged kid. But when I was a kid it was so hard to think of any interesting projects π€¦ββοΈ I think parents can be helpful to come up with ideas at least.
I fucking hated those "science projects"
I never knew what the fuck to do
Like you have to choose something to fucking "experiment"
W H A T?
Anyways, I often just got an F over it.
My parents probably never had a science project when they had school in China, like idk if that's even a part of their curriculum, they seem to just love to do rote memorization for everything.
Like I just like explain it to them that there's this weird assignment and they never seem to understand... maybe because of the language barrier between us... idk...
then they put them all up on display for every else to see and then they'd probably laugh at your project and bully you for it.
I had so much anxiety over any "creative" assignments... literally never know what the fuck to do so I just procrastinate on the decision paralysis until I eventually get an F on it.
Especially like for art and stuff... I can't fucking draw π
I can draw and happily share my artwork today, but when I was a kid? I was self-conscious as fuck. I was already bullied for any and every conceivable reason. You're absolutely right, those projects were torture. I have an issue with procrastination, but sometimes I would work on a project, actually complete the thing, then on the day it was due I wouldn't bring it in because I didn't want it displayed for everyone to see. I took the F because it was less painful.
It doesn't help that more wealthy kids had access to better materials, and consequently got better grades because their work "looked more professional." I either had a small budget, or had to make do with whatever we already had at home. You'd think the teachers would grade on creativity, but nah. Once those kids started coming in with their reports in fancy covers, looking like they made their own booklet, the rest of us (some of whom didn't even own printers) were sunk. The individual effort never paid off - it was all about looking good. Add in that some students absolutely had their parents' help (while my parents each worked full time to support a total of four kids), and yeah. The class differences became apparent - you could see it from our report cards.
My son's science fair project was to measure how much water got used by taking showers vs baths, low-flow vs regular toilets, hand-washing vs dishwashers, etc. We had a pretty nasty drought in our state that year. He had plotted charts, calculated cost savings, learned how to use graphic software and printed color banners. Did it all himself.
The next aisle over, a couple of kids had counted the number of colors in a bag of jellybeans. They had hand-drawn a bar chart on a board with a sharpie. However, they also had a bowl full of jellybeans and you could take a handful if you stopped by. They made sure the bowl was kept full. There was a line out the door.
An important science lesson was learned that year.
This is how grants work isn't it
Its a trade show classic. Have a nice looking bowl full of candy to draw people in. More thought needs to be placed into the contents of the candy bowl than the layout of the booth.
What's in that bowl determines the amount of traffic that stops. Matching the candy to the demographic of the audience is a critical research before the trade show.
In my industry the candy bowl is usually attractive women in very short shorts (unimaginative, but it works). Although to be honest, free candy may work just as well, and it's probably cheaper.
What is your industry π€π§π
the description fits my uneducated stereotype of the automotive industry.
Fair enough
I am so sad and angry on your son's behalf. Kudos to him for all his hard work!
Ah, Marketing
I have been to the science fair, and the county science fair, and the state science fair.
No, I didn't touch my daughters project.
At county, there was an obvious element of parent projects, but judges interviewed kids and weeded out those who didn't know much about the project. Some winners there still had obvious assists, but at least they could interview.
State was wild (CA). No parents in the hall during the day. Kids reported massive judging variations, little standardization and obvious tech bias. Her cognitive science category gave out all 3 awards for AI related projects.
Check in was insane. Allowed material were the board and a few feet of space on the table. People were pulling in with trailers. Massive arguments, tears.
Day of, kids were wearing fitted suits. Coordinated family outfits with ostentatious wealth on show. What a bizarre view of America.
obvious tech bias
Not surprising given the state
There was a legit feud over my 7th grade win on acids and bases, because a friend's Dad got super heated thinking that my parents had a hand in it. Granted, they bought me the posterboard and provided paper, ink, and internet, and not everyone has that. Now it's more, "AI is going to be super bummed if..."
that's what the pinewood derby was like at my school. all the kids with engineer dads had the fastest cars. hmmmm i wonder why hmmmmmm
We got DESTROYED in pinewood derby one year when someone's engineer dad carved the body into a smooth, irregularly shaped U, with contoured weights. He said he used CAD software, did wind-tunnel tests, and used a special CNC machine to shape it.
Most kids were happy the wheels stayed on.
Engineering is hereditary
So that's why I can't get laid.
That's why your Dad and/or Mom couldn't get laid.
Their mom got laid at least, not sure about dad.
Pretty sure the dad had something to do with it too, or it wouldn't be their dad.
Whoosh.
We don't know this for sure, maybe the dad just split in half.
2Dad2Furious
You clearly don't know about mpreg yet
Is it open source?
My cousin is still doing his son's school work. 2nd year in college
Is he going to work his job too?
Has nobody had a talk with them about how theyβre raising someone incapable of taking care of himself? Do they plan to outlive him? I come from the opposite end of the parental academic aid spectrum, so I donβt understand the thought process at all. Is it just untreated anxiety on their part?
Honestly, the amount of parents that act like their precious little baby is going to always be a precious little baby is astounding. It's like the idea that their child is going to someday become an adult doesn't enter their minds. They don't realize how much they're setting their kids up for failure by refusing to allow (let alone encourage) them to do things independently.
There are times and places to step in and help your child, absolutely. But as they get older, those times should become rarer and rarer. To hand-hold all the time doesn't build their confidence, doesn't let them hone their skills, and encourages dependence on someone else to always do things for them. It's hard to let go, but it's a part of growing up.
Their kids' needs don't matter, what matters is that the parent has a successful child. The measure of success is of course from the point of view of the selfish parent.
Yes, that is their mindset.
But has anyone challenged it?
If college is just a certificate needed to get the good jobs, then this makes a lot of sense.
If college is there for learning, then it is terrible.
I bet there is a difference in the ratios between degrees on these. (i.e. Civil Engineering versus Marketing)
And let me guess, he's "not a good test taker"?
Damn, how are neither of them ashamedβ½
I know the youngster in one of these kinds of situations, and she is ashamed. She's also intimidated into compliance and desperate to leave so she can have her own life.
It's not her fault, she was born into it, but it's still sad.
Would like to do a poll for how this works in other countries compared to the US. We already know the US has poor education system. Want to see why this kind of thing is seen as normal.
Swede here. I've only heard about things like this in american movies.
Would like to do a poll for how this works in other countries compared to the US.
Most of us don't have science fairs. We have a few projects in school, and that's it.
In the Netherlands we don't have this kind of thing. I don't know at what age you have a science fair? At age 4-12 you don't really have stuff you don't really have homework, except if you're lagging behind with your work. So all activities will be done at the school, sometimes they ask a parent to help with extracurricular activities. We don't really have a science fair. Closest thing would be a "spreekbeurt" which would translate as oral presentation. You pick a topic you like and explain what it's about. I think many parents help with the preparation for that. But you would have trouble answering the questions if your parents did everything.
At age 12-17 you get more beta courses, chemistry, physics, geography. You can pick a track that best suits your interests/aptitude. They focus on economics, social studies and art, nature and health or nature and technology. You get advanced courses that fit that track and more entry level courses for the rest. In your last year you have to write a paper with some field research on a topic that fits your track. Still not really like a science fair though.
At age 4-12 you donβt really have stuff you donβt really have homework, except if youβre lagging behind with your work.
That sounds perfect. I wish good grades could exempt us from homework in the US. But if we don't burden children with long hours of unnecessary busy work, how else will we condition them to accept jobs that demand the same thing? /s
How many dioramas do you create in an average year
Thatβs a bit harsh. Unless they are into bumming, of course.