Derek's Regional Science Fair

My brilliant son with his cool science fair t-shirt and his display behind him of his project. We had just set up. The parents were NOT allowed anywhere on the entire floor during judging. In fact the student could be disqualified if the parents came. It was hard for me but I knew it was best so I left him, went home and paced the floor, cleaned and tried to stay busy until I knew I could go back and see him. We kept in touch with texts and a few calls.

He was judged individually by four different judges. The judges were all professionals including some professors. They all asked quite in depth questions about his project to make sure he understood his project. Derek nailed every question! One question that he was asked that I remember was, why he tested shear strength instead of tension strength. His answer was

This is a picture of Derek just outside Rice Eccles Stadium door before entering to get judged. I was so glad we came as early as we did. The email said not to come before 9:45 am and I got him there at 9:15 for a couple reasons. I did not know what the traffic was going to be like because it was all the way downtown. I also did not know what the parking situation was going to be. The night before we set up for the project the parking lot was just about filled and I did not want to have to park 5 miles away! It's a good thing we got there early, as I left after I dropped him off for his competition I saw a HUGE line wrapping around outside.

Here is Derek outside of Rice Eccles Stadium. I wanted to show the hugeness of the building. Where he set up was above the signs draped on the building so he had a great view of the valley as he waited to be judged. Fortunately we were prepared for a long day. We packed water, some snacks his 3DS game boy, and our family Kindle to read while he waited to be judged.

His is the day of the set up. Thanks Derek for letting your old mom be in the picture with you. I'm just so proud of you!

There you can kind of see the view he had, it was so much more than the parking lot, promise.

Derek with his winning project.

My winning son, in so many many ways!