The Science Project

“Settle down, students,” my science teacher, Mr. Ross, said sternly. “Today I’ll choose your science project partners.”

Everyone groaned in protest.

“David Cortez with Riley Paul.”

Perfect luck. Riley “the brain” Paul, my science partner? He was the smartest kid ever.

“Hey, Riley,” I greeted as he approached me, “what’s our project going to be about?”

“I was thinking the biodiversity of aquatic organisms and how they interdepend,” Riley replied, adjusting his glasses.

“Right . . . ,” I agreed, though I didn’t understand.

“Well, we should start taking notes,” he resumed. “I’ll work on the plants, you on animals.”

At home, I went to a website, reprinted an article, and pretended it was my work the next day.

Riley practiced reciting our presentation. He droned on, while I nodded my head and pretended to be paying attention.

If things work, I thought, he’ll do the research and the presentation, and I’ll get the awesome grade. Throughout our next science classes I barely did anything besides glue things on our posterboard. On the day of the presentation I was so excited about getting an A.

“Mr. Cortez,” Mr. Ross announced, “Mr. Paul is sick, but he said you’d know what to do.”

“Uh,” I replied, pale faced. I didn’t know anything. Slowly I stumbled toward the front of the room.

“The ocean is full of . . .” I racked my brain, “fish that . . . depend on each other? For . . . food and stuff.”

“Mr. Cortez,” Mr. Ross frowned, “you’ve done absolutely no research on your topic. Am I correct?”

I looked at my toes. “Yes, sir.”

“Very well then, you will do your own research project and you have the rest of the week to complete it. I will also check to see the work is yours.”

“Mr. Ross, today is Tuesday, and all that work will take me a week,” I objected.

“Well, if you had done your work the first time, then you wouldn’t have to redo everything.”

Moral: Do it right the first time and you won’t have to do more later.