When my boys were in public school (Grades 4-8), they were required to produce a science fair project each year in early Spring. I always pushed my kids to do their best whenever it came to school projects, and it paid off because they each ended up moving on to the school district’s science fair competition on more than one occasion. At these competitions, the best projects were picked from each of the schools in the district to compete for medals and special awards. The top winner each year was then sent to a Canada wide competition. Bryan and Daniel never made it to the Canada level (the ones who did were geniuses, I think, because their projects were mind blowing), but they did come home with medals each year. It was an excellent experience for them to be in these competitions because they were formally judged (one on one) and had to be able to speak knowledgeably about their topic and answer questions. I could never had done that at such a young age!!
The best part about competition day was the special activities that the kids were able to take part in when they weren’t being judged, as half were judged in the morning and half in the afternoon. The favourite for my boys was when they were taken to see an interactive reptile show, which consisted mostly of different types of snakes. There was even a 6 foot boa constrictor which we all got to hold, and it was a truly amazing experience. Yes, I said all of us because I always went along so that I was there for the award ceremonies at the end of the day, and yes I held the boa constrictor, and it was really, really heavy but not slimy at all! I believe this is a photo of the 6 foot boa, but there were smaller ones as well, so I’m not 100% sure. All I know is that this is an incredible creature, and I love the colours and patterns of his skin.
photos from the loonybin 
Yes, the snake picture is a little scary, and I am impressed that you held one of the snakes! 😉
I was actually shocked at myself, but when they stand there holding them and talking about them, it takes the fear away. Boy was he heavy though!!
No snakes for me thank you very much!!! 😉 **
OK, I promise I won’t make you hold him, and I’ll try not to put him in your bed! LOL 🙂
Good for you, Cindy. Yes, he is a boa, and he certainly is a beauty. BTW, snakes are never slimy (unless they’ve been moving through something like mud), just smooth and cool. Quite pleasant to hold, actually, unless they happen to be a lot bigger than you are.
They are quite amazing to hold, but he was so heavy that I couldn’t hold him for long! I always assumed they were slimy until that day, but I know better now. 🙂
I think it is wonderful that your boys took part in these science fairs. They must have learnt so much, and it must have added to their self-confidence. 🙂
Yes, they did learn a great deal from these competitions, and it helped them develop confidence in public speaking. I think it was harder on me – I found it very difficult to leave them all by themselves with a bunch of strangers grilling them. They were so young.
Well, good for you that you did it anyway! And I’m sure that from that young age they came up trumps… 🙂
I have been a judge in those science fairs and the projects that go on to the national level are usually filled with knowledge and direction from the parents. Maybe I better not say such things 🙂
No, you are probably right in many cases, but I do believe some of them are extremely gifted. I really enjoyed walking around and talking to the kids about their projects. There were always some common topics that you saw every year, but I was amazed with the number of very unique ideas. I was glad my kids were able to experience it.
I once held a boa too and was amazed. They are actually very beautiful but I would not want one for a pet! And what a brave Mom you are to go to all these programs and take your turn in the snake pit. 🙂
Hey, I’m a cool Mom, didn’t you know! LOL 🙂 I wouldn’t want one for a pet either. I was ok holding this one because there was a professional snake handler there to make sure he didn’t squeeze me to death. 🙂
I’m not a hugger either! 🙂
LOL!!
Not even a little, I love snakes! I honestly can’t understand why people are afraid of them 😀
I wasn’t afraid of the snakes there because it was in a controlled environment, but if I was walking through the woods and a snake slithered across my feet, I would probably freak out!! 🙂
I intuited from the title there may be snakes in this post, but I was still taken aback when the picture scrolled up. I hate snakes & I physically moved away from my screen & could barely stand to put my hands on my keyboard to make this comment.
Well, I guess I should take that as a compliment because it means my photo was sharp enough to appear real, but I am sorry that it caused you such a fright! 🙂
Snakes are beautiful and wonderful creatures. And yet they scare me! I admire them, but I don’t want to get too close. I held one once in Honduras and you know, I’m good. I can mark that off my list and go on with different life experiences.
Yes, I agree. I didn’t mind holding this one in a controlled environment, but if I came across one in the wild, I think I would freak out!! 🙂