The Sky is the Limit... Except When You're Going to Space!

They did it! They presented their first science project in front of their entire class and a few parents. And as you can guess, it was a huge success, and I am incredibly proud of them. But let me take you back to the beginning.

In December, right before the winter break, the kids were assigned a project where they were supposed to make, build or draw something that had to do with space. It could have been anything, the solar system, aliens, an astronaut --- pretty much anything to do with space. Interestingly, one kid in one of their classes built a life-sized jet pack made out of soda bottles and other things - I thought that was pretty cool. Either way, Wes and Judah both decided to do a 'rocket ship,' which I interpreted as a US Space Shuttle. I did try to steer them to build different things, but they were both dead set on building this rocket ship.

At this point, I was pretty excited. I felt like I was re-living my youth through them. I didn't really like school when I was their age, which, I think, was because it didn't match up to the depiction I would see on TV. So I was thrilled that they could experience what I felt was quintessential school. Additionally, I felt like if there was ever a moment to show my "Dad chops," now was the time. I could teach them how to use a drill, and a hand saw. I could show them how to develop a blueprint and make something out of nothing. Unfortunately, I didn't have any of these skills, and the boys are only 6. So in an effort to keep all of our body parts in tact, I decided that getting a 3-D puzzle of a Shuttle was the best bet.

Now, I was very excited and wanted to experience this stage with the boys, but one of the tenants of this project was that the boys actually did the work. I want them to gain confidence from the fact they can do complicated, complex, and lengthy things.

The boys had a whole project to present after about five days of puzzle building and four days of building a presentation board. We then spent around three days practicing the presentations, and I promise the result was incredible.

Check out the result: