Following the annual junior high tradition, seventh grade student Jack Maddux attends to his sugar baby project. Science teacher Terry Richards’ seventh grade students spend most of the week caring for their fake babies, April 13-16.

As his pupils learn about human life, Richards gives them a simple idea of parenthood. The 5-pound bags of sugar are dressed and wrapped in blankets, then carried around school for the week. Students must regularly feed the baby in addition to changing its diaper, while keeping a close eye to avoid citations for abuse and neglect.

For more photos of Richards’ science class, check out Preparing the eruption.