Summary

The science fair at Mohawk College showcases the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone to achieve success and personal growth, as evidenced by the students' dedication to their projects.

Abstract

The article reflects on the life lessons learned from students participating in a science fair, emphasizing the value of venturing beyond one's comfort zone. It highlights the courage and resilience of young individuals who, despite their varying academic standings, invest significant effort into their projects. These students demonstrate critical skills such as research, critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, and project management. The author commends the students for their achievements, noting that such experiences are crucial for personal development and the pursuit of dreams.

Opinions

The author believes that pushing oneself out of the comfort zone is essential for personal and career advancement.
Students at the science fair are seen as winners for overcoming fears and societal pressures to present their work.
The author suggests that academic excellence is not a prerequisite for success, as passion and dedication, exemplified by historical figures like Henry Ford, can lead to significant achievements.
The article expresses admiration for the students' enthusiasm and the valuable skills they acquire through the science fair process.
The author is particularly impressed by a grade seven student's project on gravity's effect on plant growth, viewing it as an important contribution to the field of interstellar space travel.
The author encourages readers to follow the example of the science fair participants in stepping out of their comfort zones to launch new career paths.

What kids at the science fair taught me about life

Getting out of your comfort zone is an important life lesson for getting ahead and launching your dreams

Stepping out of your comfort zone to launch your career. Photo by SpaceX on Unsplash

As I walked around judging projects at a local science fair at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario, I realized all the kids there were winners.

These students from grade seven to grade 12, accomplished what few people will ever accomplish in their entire lives by pushing themselves out of their comfort zones.

At that point, a light went off in my head. That’s the only way you get ahead in life and wished I learned that important lesson earlier.

The sooner kids or anyone realizes this and pushes themselves out of their comfort zones, the sooner they can work toward and accomplish their dreams and goals to make a happier and more fulfilling life.

Could you imagine how much fear is going through some of these kids’ heads, especially the extremely introverted students, at an age when peer pressure is so strong?

Think of the courage, effort, and energy these students must endure to create a project, communicate it to judges and the public, and then defend it from criticism.

Once most students and even adults realize how much work is involved they would probably head for the hills. It’s a shame because they’re hurting themselves.

The nice thing about science fairs is that it levels the playing field. Students don’t have to be at the top of the class, academically. They just need a love and dedication to science.

I’m sure there were science fair winners that made it big without being at the top of their class. If there were science fairs back when Henry Ford was a kid, he probably would have had an excellent project.

Ford went on to create one of the best car manufacturing companies in history despite only having a grade eight education.

The kids at the science fair need to prepare their exhibit, write up a report and present their ideas to judges and the general public while learning valuable project management and communication skills.

Just coming up with an idea no matter how great or terrible, preparing their projects, and showing up is a huge accomplishment for every one of these students.

By entering a science fair, these students are going out on a limb and going against the grain of other students by showing their individuality rather than conforming to the student norm.

It’s a giant leap forward to catapult their dreams. It’s also a leap of faith toward their individualistic goals and I applaud them all for doing it.

As the main speaker said, a lot of students have spent months preparing these projects so try and be encouraging.

Learning new skills to build science projects Photo by Jeswin Thomas on Unsplash

Other skills that kids would be learning that can help enrich their lives include:

Research skills

Science fairs require a student to conduct research and investigate a scientific principle or question. This helps kids learn how to find, analyze, and interpret information.

Critical thinking skills

Science fairs encourage kids to think critically. They must first understand the problem and come up with a solution. They must also use their knowledge and creativity to develop a hypothesis, design experiments, and analyze results.

Problem-solving skills

Science fairs require students to solve problems and then overcome these obstacles to find a solution. Students learn to adapt and make adjustments as they encounter challenges in their projects.

Communication skills

Kids practice their communication skills and must explain their projects clearly and concisely, ideally without notes.

Collaboration skills

Science fairs help students develop collaboration skills. Students may work in teams with their peers and teachers to design and conduct experiments and learn to work together effectively.

Dressing for success

Students learn to dress their best because they know that just like in a job interview, first impressions are everything.

Project management skills

Kids must learn to organize and create their projects in an organized, logical, and timely manner to complete their projects in a timely manner.

Overall, participating in a science fair can help kids develop a range of skills that will be useful in many areas of their lives.

While interviewing the students at the science fair, I was impressed with their enthusiasm. One grade seven was so proud of her project that she couldn’t stop talking about it. It was all about the effects of gravity on plants. She taught me how important gravity is in plant growth.

She created a microgravity environment using a device she built using only open-sourced electronic components and found that gravity helped plants grow faster.

This is an important finding if we want to get off this planet and grow fruits and vegetables during interstellar space travel. I was really impressed with her project.

Even if some other students had bad ideas for a science project, in my books they’re all winners.

So if you want to get ahead in life and launch a new career path, take a lesson from the kids at the science fair and get out of your comfort zone.

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