6th graders and their future career ideas....from the wacky to the realistic

What do 6^th graders want to be when they grow up?

With only 11 days of school left, I always try to end the year with some sort of project.

So, in my STEM class we have two different projects going on at once.

One project involves the kids building mechanisms and working in teams to solve a survival challenge.

The other project is part of their warm-up. All year they have been working on an E-Portfolio. They take their best work, pictures,  writing reflections and add them to their E-Portfolio. For the next week, they will be answering questions and adding the topics of their choosing (based on my parameters) to their E-Portfolios.

What has been very interesting to me has been the “Future Career” topic. I love walking around my room to see what they want to be when they grow up.

I have several who want to be comedians, one very quiet girl who wants to be a Rock Star, a bartender, a few teachers, quite a few who want to be professional athletes, and then the rest want to go into STEM fields.

Sure, I teach a STEM class—but I was pretty impressed with the ranges of STEM careers that these 6^th graders want to be. From Biomedical Scientists, Chemists, Petroleum Engineers, Marine Biologists and Neonatologists—I have to say I am pretty impressed with their thoughts.

I really have only covered a few of those STEM fields, so I can’t take credit for anything.

It makes me think—if only we exposed more kids to STEM fields in 6^th grade (or younger)—could we solve the STEM shortage?

Obviously, these students have some time to change their minds, but, it is my hope that they won’t.

But, maybe I can try to convince those wanna-be comedians and athletes to have a backup plan? Just in case....

First Mother's Day with my almost 7 month old

It's my first official Mother's Day Weekend. 

I say weekend because today my sister and I took my Mom out for pedicures. Then we had lunch and did a little shopping. It was a wonderful day. 

But, I missed my girl. 

She is the whole reason why I get to celebrate my first mother's day. 

I can't believe she will be 7 months old this week. 

I imagine every mother feels this way, but I just think she is the most amazing little person in the world. 

She has brought me so much joy in the last 7 months. 

Her little smile absolutely melts my heart. 

And those times when I can get her to laugh, not just chuckle--but a gut busting laugh--that is the greatest moment. 

I know there will be days when she hates me. There will be days when I will really dislike her, but right now, she is my whole world. 

She makes me so happy. 

I am so blessed to be her mother. 

Happy Mother's Day to all my mama friends. I hope your family treats you right.