Many high schoolers are not ready to become a parent, although they think it will be an easy task.

Students get to test their basic parenting ability for themselves over a weekend if they enroll in Mr. Meurer’s Psychology class, and are brave enough. Having the RealityWorks baby (or babies, if you’re up for The Challenge) home for a weekend is hectic; it is filled with crying, diaper changing, feeding, and cooing. The whole purpose for the assignment is to teach students basic steps to care for a child and give a glimpse into actually raising a newborn for a few days.

Mr. Meurer always says “this project will teach more than than any final would.”

Friday, after school, the student walks slowly to Meurer’s room. He connects the child to the internet, enters in the needed information, and puts it on a set schedule. You’ll get set up with an ID bracelet, and leave it on until Monday morning. The baby turns on about 2 hours later, allowing you time to drive safely home.

During your weekend, the baby will cry for five reasons. It needs to be rocked, fed, burped, have it’s diaper changed, or may just cry because it is fussy. You have two minutes to provide the attention, before neglect is recorded in the memory. Total crying time is recorded as well.

“Nobody will be calling me mommy anytime soon, I know that for sure. I can’t handle all the screaming,” Katie Grover said “I cried a lot.”

Some students are brave enough to take on The Challenge, taking both of the available babies home for a weekend. Babies cry simultaneously or individually based on the schedule they were signed up for.

Upon home arrival, expect family members and pets crowd around you. They’re curious and interested in haming a robot baby visit their home. Make sure you read the guidebook and handouts, telling you all  the rules you must follow. Keep the baby away from pets, make sure you drive safely, provide constant head support, and make sure you never drop the child.

Students’ actions are recorded in the memory of the baby. Upon returning back to school, statistics and information about the past weekend are sent to Mr. Meurer and printed out for review. Students finish the assignment by writing a short essay about their experience- good things and bad things that they have learned.