Tag Archives: science fairs

I had to leave the science fair at Mr. B.’s elementary school after judging only five entries as I realized I was feeling too grumpy to continue without being unfair to the kids. I was judging third graders, the first year the kids at the school are required to enter the science fair, and a few of the ones I judged were so dopey I was tempted to give them the worst possible marks. I didn’t because, well, just because. Too tender-hearted under the grumpy old man veneer, I suppose. It’s hard to be harsh on third graders, on any kids really, they have so much to do and so much competition and confusion to cope with. And the schools don’t really help much. Mr. B. and his peers are called "awesome" forty times a day, a word I am thoroughly sick of, which leaves no room for achievement as far as I can see, if even the worst is judged "awesome" alongside the best. But I’m probably being too harsh. It’s a common failing of age. I probably should stick to volunteering for the landscaping committee.