Moments of Magic

The Rotten Cabbage Experiment

The second I poked at the brownish stuff inside the Ziploc bags, I felt like I was going to puke.

"Ugh! Gross!" I muttered under my breath.

"Mia, are you ready to go?" My mom asked.

"Yes, mom!" I stuffed the Ziploc bags with its disgusting contents inside my bag and took off. Two months had passed since winter break came along. And what was the brownish stuff inside the Ziploc bags that grossed me out so much? Well...

"Please set up your science projects inside the MPR." Ms. Grace instructed the second I entered the classroom. I hurried over to the MPR and set up my poster board. I opened up one of the Ziploc bags and sniffed inside. The brownish stuff reeked of rotten milk and vomit. I pinched my nose and rapidly closed the bag.

"What did you do for your project, Mia?" Luna asked. Her poster board was situated right next to mine. I couldn't remember what her project was that year.

"Cloning cabbage. Epic fail." I said as I pointed to the brownish stuff.

Every year at my middle school, the students in grades five through eight have to take part in the annual science fair. One day, for the whole morning, the students have to set up their projects and present them to the rest of the school. I attempted to clone Napa cabbage without the use of a lab, and it failed. Miserably. I got the idea from a website, and with the help of Ms. Grace, tweaked it by testing multiple substances. It didn't sound too difficult.

When I got the results of my experiment, my confidence plummeted. These weren't the results I was hoping for. But then, one cannot be good at everything, right?

Just then, the first graders began filing in. A group of them gathered around me, interested in what I had to say. I explained to them that I was trying to clone Napa cabbage and soaked five pieces of stem and leaves in water, milk, orange juice, fertilizer with water, and Scrubbing Bubbles. I told them the results and they ran off screaming. A moment later, one of the first graders came back.

"That is the most disgusting project ever!" He shouted as he pointed at the Ziploc bags. I didn't blame him. Just sniffing the contents in the bag made me all sick.

Over the course of the entire morning, more and more kids flocked to where I was, intrigued by the disgusting cabbage. One person leaned over and touched the Ziploc bags with her bare fingers.

"Impressive, Mia." She said. All of a sudden, my confidence came back. People didn't even care if my experiment failed. Then again, Ms. Grace and my brother have reminded me countless times that science can fail sometimes. What was my mom gonna say? Sure, I did my assignments and turned them in on time, but what if I got an F on this?

Just then, a stout woman with brown hair approached Luna.

"Hi, Mom!" Luna sang out when she saw her. "I'd like you to meet Mia."

"Oh, hello, you must be Mia Mircada. Luna's told me all about you." Luna's mother said as we shook hands. "Would you like to present your project to me?"

And so I did. At the end of it all, she praised me.

"No, really, Mia. Great job." Luna complimented as the morning came to a close.

Later, that afternoon, Ms. Grace announced the winners of the science fair. I, of course, didn't win anything, but oh well. At least people supported my efforts. Better luck next time.

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Author's Note: So...I'm halfway through my seventh grade year! Well, let's face it, science fairs can be extremely stressful, and this one was no exception.

Did you ever take part in a science fair? How did it go? Let me know in the comments below.