The annual science fair was a huge part of my childhood and teenage years. My projects ranged from simulating a tsunami in my bathtub, to building a laser communicator, to calculating how efficient ground source heat pumps would need to be to power our homes. Although none of my projects had insects or even much biology, they are a primary reason for why I am a scientist and graduate student today.

This weekend I had the opportunity to participate in my 11th-ever science fair, but the first one where I was judged by middle schoolers! They were critical thinkers and tough judges.  It was a lot of fun and a valuable experience to share my research with them.