Buzz
Inspired by Thomas Edison, the essence of a science fair prodigy lies in 99 percent hard work (think late-night, last-minute efforts) and 1 percent creativity—plus a lot of posterboard. While many students rush to craft simple projects like paper mache volcanoes, there are exceptions like Conrad Farnsworth, a Wyoming senior who achieved the extraordinary feat of constructing a functional nuclear reactor in his father’s garage, joining the elite group of 15 high school students worldwide to accomplish such a task.
To honor those who go beyond basic experiments like “Which popcorn pops the most?”, here are five exceptional science fair projects that showcase true brilliance.
1. Anna Simpson: A Robot That Detects Chemicals
Courtesy of Intel's Flickr
While most LEGO enthusiasts believe bigger creations are superior, Anna Simpson proved otherwise. She designed a self-operating robot, just six inches long, capable of sweeping and identifying dangerous chemicals using LEGO components and a sensor. This ingenious invention earned the San Diego high schooler the top prize in the Senior Division at the 2009 California State Science Fair. As Simpson (and countless amazed onlookers) put it: “Wow! And I made that out of LEGOs!”
2. Daniel Burd: Microorganism That Consumes Plastic
Courtesy of ChaCha
For many 16-year-olds, decomposition might refer to a forgotten sandwich in their locker. However, Daniel Burd, a teenager from Ontario, took first place at the 2008 Canada-Wide Science Fair by inventing a method that reduced plastic bag decomposition time from 20 years to just three months, using a microbe he identified. His inspiration? Being overwhelmed by plastic bags during household chores.
3. Jonah Kohn: Enabling the Hearing Impaired to Experience Music
Jonah Kohn, a 14-year-old from San Diego, clinched the top spot in the 13-14 age group at the 2012 Google Science Fair with his groundbreaking creation designed to assist individuals with hearing loss in enjoying music. A passionate music enthusiast, Kohn named his project Good Vibrations, inspired by the Beach Boys. His invention, a “multi-frequency tactile device,” attaches to the user’s body, converting sound frequencies into varying levels of tactile stimulation, effectively turning the body into a giant speaker. A true symphony of innovation.
4. Ryan Garner and Amanda Wilson: Submersible for Antarctic Exploration
Courtesy of Arts.com
Labeling $5000 as a shoestring budget might seem exaggerated—unless you’re two high schoolers constructing a camera-equipped underwater rover. In 2007, the Santa Barbara pair managed to keep costs low by using mostly readily available materials to build their rover, named M’RAJE. Later that year, the rover successfully completed 10 dives in the icy waters of Antarctica, where it continues to aid in climate change research. Pronounced “mirage,” the name M’RAJE incorporates the initials of Wilson, Garner, and their technical team.
5. Ryan Patterson: Translating Sign Language into Text
While working at a burger joint in Grand Junction, Colorado, in 2001, high schooler Ryan Patterson had a breakthrough idea. After observing deaf customers struggling to communicate their orders, the 17-year-old created a glove capable of converting American Sign Language into text displayed on a computer screen. This innovation earned him a $200,000 prize at the 2001 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Patterson’s passion for inventing began early—as a child, he famously carried around an electrical cord instead of a security blanket.
