Maya loved science. On Friday, her school would have a science fair. More than anything, Maya wanted to win the blue ribbon.
Then she had a big idea. She would build a baking soda volcano! It would fizz and bubble and really erupt.
The Science Fair
At home, Maya built her volcano. She poured the baking soda inside. Then she waited.
But nothing happened. Nothing at all! She forgot the vinegar. Maya frowned.
So Maya tried again. This time she dumped in way too much vinegar.
It made a weak, gloopy mess. It went all over the table. Maya sighed. Maybe she should just give up.
Then her dad smiled. “Every scientist tries again,” he said. “That is what an experiment is.”
So Maya got out her notebook. She wrote down what went wrong each time. She worked just like a real scientist.
Science fair day came at last. In the gym, Maya mixed her volcano just right.
She poured it in and — WHOOSH! Red foam bubbled up and over the top. The other kids cheered.
Maya did not win first place. But she won a bright ribbon. It said, “Never Gave Up.”
Maya smiled the biggest smile. She had learned the best thing of all. Trying again is exactly what science is.