All's Fair

For the cutest science fair project ever, Ryanne tested her cats to see if they had right or left paw preference. Jerry would have preferred the Crystal Project, but in the introduction to the science fair packet, making crystals was off limits. I guess that over the years, science fair judges have become exasperated at examining lumps of sugar or salt on a string. As usual, powers-that-be determine the course of scientific inquiry.
The set-up was pretty simple: three cats and some string would have done the trick, but this was science so variations of cat toys and cat nip were necessary. This put her among the elite group of children who actually did, and understood, their own projects.
Another child did a similar experiment with dog-pawedness. Other projects ranged from plant watering to racing toy cars with magnets. Some proud parent set up an ambitious display with batteries and light bulbs. The child showed the flashing lights that resulted from circuits assembled with tidy precision, but hadn't mastered the 'why' of it, so no prize ribbon there.
One experiment was meant to test whether plants did better with water or fertilizer, but because only four plants were involved, I question the results. Likewise, a density test that ended as a jar full of kitchen muck could have benefited from adult editing.
The science fair was set up in the gym tightly packed with tables, and it was well attended. The place was so crowded with projects and parents that the children barely had any room to run around with their cookies and juice.
Everyone got a ribbon for participating, but there were only three special ribbons. I didn't see where two of those grand ribbons ended up, but one of them was just three displays down from Ryanne.
It was a crystal project.
Nancy Sherer