Matthew joined a Science Club at school this fall.. all done virtually via zoom of course. It was led by high school science kids and they did a great job! He really enjoyed it! Part of the class requirement was to build something using science and engineering. Matthew, our squirrel lover, decided to build a squirrel feeder. He and Doug talked about design and process, probaby more than Matthew wanted...haha.. but together they came up with ideas and a plan. They had to test and tweak and adjust as they built it, but in the end it turned out fabulous!
sThe final product.
Matthew pulling out the valve to release the nuts onto the platform.
The squirrels LOVED it.. and are in the backyard EVERY morning waiting for Matthew to release more nuts!
Besides coming up with a project, the kids in the club also had to present their project to the entire club AND to Mrs Miles, the principal AND a bunch of high school science teachers who were invited to the presentation.
Matthew had kind of brushed off the presentation like it was no big deal, but we could tell he was nervous about it. The day of the presentation Doug asked him if he wanted to go over his presentation, which led to a complete melt down. He was so nervous.. and didn't know what to do. Poor kid.
BUT.. my sweet and amazingly patient husband spent time and basically forced Matthew to practice his presentation, over and over again. And as he did that, Matthew's confidence grew and his anxiety faded. It was such a great thing to watch.. and a great life lesson for our boy.
He went outside to do his presentation and I watched from the kitchen window as he CRUSHED it!!
He was calm, cool and collected.. and presented to well, answering questions and showing off his project with confidence and ease. I was so proud of him.
He introduced everyone on the zoom call to Bodie as well...haha!
I received an email from Mrs. Miles, our principal, the next day saying how impressed she was with Matthew and his presentation. She even asked if he would share to the entire school during an online assembly. I think that was a bit too much for our boy, and he kindly declined. 😂 He did present to his class, tho, and thoroughly enjoyed that.
I am glad Matthew got to be in this club and learn so much.. about science AND life!!
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