Justin Cohen, Author at ��

The robot gardener of the future

Justin Cohen — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 18:08:52 +0000

Annually for three years, will give $100 awards to outstanding inventors in up to 270 Society Affiliate Fairs with middle school participants around the country. The prize was specially created to reward young inventors whose projects exemplify the ideals of inventive thinking by identifying a challenge in their community and creating a solution that will improve lives.

Meet Ta’Janae Clinton, a high school freshman from Eufaula, Alabama, who recently won the Lemelson Early Inventor Prize at the Alabama Science and Engineering Fair . Ta’Janae’s invention, ELECTRA, which stands for educated, earning, efficient, cunning, technical robot assistant, is a robot that can plant gardens!

During her time volunteering in a nursing home, Ta’Janae witnessed residents struggle to perform the manual labor required to plant seeds and tend to their gardens. Inspired to help and use her �� skills, Ta’Janae invented a motorized robot, to assist with planting seeds of all types. Looking much like a black spider bot, ELECTRA is powered by an , has a motorized drill and four motorized legs. She’s capable of running for three hours per battery charge. ELECTRA can dance, say hello and perform the steps necessary in planting a garden without becoming fatigued. She is built to work under extreme heat conditions.

Ta’Janae tested the robot using three main criteria:

ELECTRA’s ability to drill a hole to drop seeds into
Her ability to move into a position to drop seeds into the holes
Her ability to drop the seeds into the holes successfully

Ta’Janae and ELECTRA posing at the Alabama Science and Engineering Fair.
PHOTO COURTESY OF TA’JANAE CLINTON.

After ELECTRA was booted up, Ta’Janae measured the depth of the holes to see if it changed with the length of each drill bit. From that information, she found that the .5, .75 and 1-inch width drill bits worked best. For the second test, Ta’Janae had to figure out the best angle for ELECTRA’s arm to be in when dropping seeds into the holes. ELECTRA’s arm could bend at four angles using the Arduino board—0°, 90°, 180° and 360°. Ta’Janae tested each angle position 10 times to determine which one drilled the best while transitioning to seed dropping.

In the third test, Ta’Janae tested ELECTRA’s ability to drop seeds into a hole successfully. Ta’Janae ran the trials by inserting five radish seeds into ELECTRA’s custom-built seed holder and found that all the seeds fell into the hole, depending on the optimal angle. ELECTRA passed all three tests with flying colors.

Ta’Janae’s project was aided by the mentorship of Jimmy Lee Williams Jr., a retired employee of Alabama Power who is now a robotics consultant. Jimmy helped Ta’Janae bring her vision to life by constructing the robot’s arms. He also introduced Ta’Janae to coding and software that could be used to control her robot. Ta’Janae was also inspired by the women engineers she met during a summer program at the University of Alabama.

“I attended the University of Alabama’s in 2018. There, I was given the opportunity to interact with and question a panel of women who held �� careers,” said Ta’Janae. “We had the opportunity to ask the ladies questions about their paths and why they chose them. After hearing the women speak, I awakened to my own passion for science and robotics.”

Ta’Janae hopes to become an engineer one day and establish her own robot manufacturing company.

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‘What did you say?’: A student invents a hearing aid that cancels out ambient noise

Justin Cohen — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 16:08:38 +0000

Payton Noe, a high school freshman from Hamden, Connecticut, created a specialized hearing aid that cancels out ambient background noise that would be amplified in normal hearing aids. Unfortunately, many noise-reducing hearing aids dampen speech while also minimizing background noise. Payton’s prototype combats this problem. As a result, she won the Lemelson Early Inventor Prize at the Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair.

“My great-great uncle Rich was a World War II veteran and as a result had partial hearing loss. He complained of background noise, such as humming from a refrigerator, being amplified by his hearing aid,” said Payton. “By doing this project, I attempted to solve his problem. I hope that my project will improve my community by allowing people with hearing aids to have an easier time listening to other people or things.”

Payton soldering the inner workings of her invention.
PHOTO COURTESY OF PAYTON NOE.

Payton’s hearing aids were influenced by existing technologies such as noise-cancelling headphones. Her prototype works by receiving signal and noise inputs from two microphones. The signal is the main stimulus the listener pays attention to, while the distracting noise is what overwhelms the listener’s attention. In Payton’s project, the signal microphone faces forward while the noise microphone faces upward. After receiving the inputs, the noise microphone amplifies the signal, then the technology cancels it out to help the listener hear the primary signal more clearly. The cancelled-out noise frequencies remain in the background as not to interfere with the main signal the user is tuning into.

She tested her invention by connecting it to a spectrum analyzer, a device that measures the magnitude of an input signal as opposed to multiple signals within range of the instrument.

“The signal and noise were modelled by two oscillators (or waveforms) appropriately positioned and set to different frequencies. If the ‘after cancellation’ graph showed a significantly lower noise peak than the ‘before cancellation’ graph, then I knew that my prototype worked well,” said Payton. “I also tested my prototype in a real-world situation by bringing it into a room with a lot of ambient noise. I then turned it on and tried to see how well I could hear the person in front of me talk.”

Payton doesn’t have solid future plans yet, but she knows she would like to refine her invention and give the gift of hearing to those who do not have it.

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Five questions with Lemelson Award for Invention winner, Rachel Bergey

Justin Cohen — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 17:15:26 +0000

Rachel Bergey is a ninth grader from Harleysville, Pennsylvania, and the recipient of the 2019 Broadcom MASTERS $10,000 Lemelson Award for Invention. Her invention addresses one of the largest economic threats facing Pennsylvania today—Spotted Lanternflies. The insects can cause oozing sap, leaf curling, wilting and dieback on trees. One way to trap the pests is with yellow sticky bands around trees. However, that strategy has weaknesses such as limited surface area and the need for frequent replacement. Some Spotted Lanternflies can jump off the tape and then catch and kill helpful insects or birds. Rachel designed an effective, eco-friendly trap for catching this invasive species.

Rachel is one of five girls who won top prizes at this year’s Broadcom MASTERS competition, the first time in the competition’s history that it was . Rachel’s work has been featured in , as well as , among many others.

What was your experience like at the Broadcom MASTERS?

It was one of the best weeks of my life! It was also one of the most tiring, hilarious and fun-filled. By the end of the week, everyone felt like family and now, we have so many great memories! I learned a lot about teamwork, time management, computer coding and even seining, a method of fishing using a net called a seine.

So far, which moment in your life made you feel the most accomplished?

Becoming a Broadcom MASTERS finalist! My science project was certainly not easy, but was totally worth it! If it had been an easy joy ride, I would not have felt the same sense of accomplishment. I truly feel that hard work pays off.

Through my research, I not only discovered a more effective way to take stress off of my family’s trees, but also found my love of science. I also learned that I don’t need to be nervous presenting to a group of people.

What would you tell your 5-year-old self if you could talk to her today?

Don’t always compare yourself to others; be happy with who you are. When you make a mistake, instead of replaying the situation over and over in your mind, think about how you can learn from your mistake so you can do better next time. When you do succeed, be humble and enjoy it!

Rachel at the Broadcom MASTERS public exhibition of projects.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE & THE PUBLIC/LINDA DOANE.

What is the strangest scientific fact you’ve come across over the course of your research experience?

My experiment was based on finding a way to catch Spotted Lanternflies, which are hurting my family’s maple trees. I really enjoyed the research process of my experiment because it was based on observation. I could not simply look up the answers online because there isn’t much known about this species. One cool thing I discovered is that the Spotted Lanternflies prefer to climb up, not down, so I used that instinct against them.

What’s next for you?

I would love to take the trap to market. First, I want to experiment more to see if I could make a more durable design since my current trap is made of tinfoil, netting, duct tape and staples. Another option would be for me to make a DIY video so people can make the trap at home. Either way, my goal is to hopefully help people save their trees from the Spotted Lanternfly.

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This invention will blow fossil fuels away

Justin Cohen — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 16:07:00 +0000

Seventh-grader, Jordan Prawira (BCM 2018, 2019) attends Altamont Elementary School in Mountain House, California. In 2019, he was named to a list of top 300 innovators in the country in the Broadcom MASTERS, the nation’s premier middle school �� competition. Earlier this year, he was awarded the Lemelson Early Inventor Prize for his take on the Archimedes wind turbine, which is aimed to be more compact and efficient than other converters of wind power.

Jordan examines his Archimedes wind turbine

Jordan was elated to receive the prize from the Lemelson Foundation: “When I received the prize, I felt that people believed my turbine had the potential for real-world applications,” said Jordan. “This recognition gave me the inspiration to work harder on inventing a better turbine for urban and residential areas, especially to cut emissions produced by the use of fossil fuels.”

Jordan’s project is a passion project that he’s been working on for a couple years. “My sister Jacqueline (BCM 2018) and I built a wind turbine for a Science Olympiad event. We were confident about our design, but we ultimately did not win the event,” said Jordan. “From then on, I pursued various wind turbine projects, including horizontal and vertical axis turbines, and an Archimedes wind turbine, with the overall goal to increase efficiency and power.”

Jordan’s inspiration came from observing hurricanes. He noticed that the winds during the progression of a hurricane become more powerful over time. For his Broadcom project, Jordan went with a spiral design for the rotors, similar to a corkscrew, instead of the three or four thin blades on a traditional turbine. With his corkscrew design, there is more surface area to catch the wind, therefore it takes less wind than a traditional turbine to rotate the same distance and generate the same amount of energy.

Jordan tested his turbine at home with the help of a box fan. He designed four different wind turbines and tested them at three different wind speeds and 26 different geographic coordinates and wind directions. The winds were simulated using a box fan placed a foot away from the turbine. To test how efficient the turbine was at converting wind power to energy, he connected it to a multimeter, a device used to measure voltage. He then analyzed the data.

Of the different wind turbines Jordan has designed, he thinks the Archimedes turbine has come the closest to real-world applications. Through rigorous testing he found that it has an efficiency of up to 44%, compared to smaller-scale commercial turbines on the market. Jordan’s prototype is much smaller, about one-fifth the size of most commercial turbines, and can still produce a high efficiency, even at a third of the wind speed (five to eight meters per second).

Jordan’s hope is that his project will help accelerate society’s transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. Thus far, Jordan has worked on his project independently and with the support of his family, but has not yet had the opportunity to work with a mentor in an academic lab. In the future, Jordan hopes to pursue engineering or software development.

“My vision is to make alternative energy no longer an alternative,” Jordan said.

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Could organic, dissolvable beads help the global water crisis?

Justin Cohen — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 04:00:00 +0000

According to the World Health Organization, do not have access to clean drinking water. Stanford freshman Braden Milford (STS 2019) is concerned about alarming statistics like these. During a family camping trip in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park, he came across a heavily polluted river. The river ran deep red and orange and Braden realized that nothing about the sight was natural—its beauty was ravaged by neglectful industrial practices and indifference.

“After contemplating silently along the trail, I returned home and researched the cause of the pollution. I learned that acid mine drainage and heavy metal contamination were the cause,” said Braden. “The tainted water we saw on our backpacking trip would end up in a reservoir and be used by Denver’s citizens—their health and wellbeing are at risk.” To address this problem, Braden invented organic beads—similar in appearance to bubble tea or bath beads—with the purpose of clearing pollutants and making clean water available to those in need. For this project, Braden received the Society’s Community Innovation Award, given to science fair participants who are using �� to make a difference in their communities.

“Receiving this award is an incredible honor,” Braden said. “By conducting scientific research in high school, I have been able to discover a passion for science, meet some of the most distinguished scientists in the world and befriend determined students from across the country!”

Braden holding his SymBeads during the 2019 Regeneron STS public showcase of projects.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE & THE PUBLIC

From October 2017 through March 2018, Braden worked in the lab of , Associate Professor of Biological Science at the University of Tulsa, to develop special beads called SymBeads. The dissolvable beads combine bacteria and algae with a substance called sodium alginate, a compound that acts as a thickener. Together, the algae and the sodium alginate form a symbiotic relationship that promotes the growth of a bacterial biofilm in the water, which can then absorb a wide variety of pollutants, such as heavy metals and agricultural runoff.

Braden designed individual beads by collecting water and soil samples from Tar Creek Superfund in Oklahoma and the Pennsylvania Mine site in Colorado—mining sites with a high presence of heavy metal pollution. By sourcing samples from bodies of water polluted with different substances, Braden cultivated bacteria resistant to that pollution. After identifying the resistances for collected bacteria, Braden crafted a large collection of beads effective for absorbing and clearing pollutants from any body of water. Additionally, Braden designed and tested a 3D printed flotation device, built to introduce the beads into an active stream.

After testing 300 beads in 6,000 liters of water over an eight-week period, Braden found that within two weeks, his SymBeads could remove over 90% of the pollutants in any freshwater system. The solution is also affordable – Braden found that his invention would cost less than $20 for 1,000 beads and the implementation device.

Braden tested his invention’s ability to clear pollutants in a simulated body of water.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRADEN MILFORD

“Water is a resource that every single person needs to survive,” said Braden. “Research has shown that over half of the available freshwater on Earth is contaminated. There has never been a more crucial time to develop innovative methods of removing contaminants from water to ensure the safety of the human population and environment.”

Braden is so passionate about research and science fairs that he started his own fundraising campaign when he learned that science fairs were being defunded in his home state of Oklahoma.

“I plan to continue to raise awareness about the importance of science fairs across America, with a special emphasis on rural areas. Science fairs could be the only opportunity students in rural areas have to learn about everything a career in �� has to offer,” Braden shared. “I believe that the life-changing experiences I have been afforded through science fairs and research should be available to every kid in the United States.”

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A science-filled summer with Baltimore’s SAFE Alternative Foundation

Justin Cohen — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 04:00:00 +0000

In 2018, a found that only 25% of Americans say K-12 �� education in the US is above average compared with other developed countries, 43% expressed that it is average and 30% considered it below average relative to other countries.

Fortunately, visionaries like have taken the helm in confronting the �� education gap. In 2015, Van launched the (SAFE), an organization aimed at giving students in Baltimore’s underserved communities the educational and life skills necessary to consider entering �� fields such as mechanical, marine and aerospace engineering. The organization’s website notes that the US has fallen from third to 17th place in the number of college graduates in engineering programs worldwide. Van hopes that his organization can help make a change.

Van is a former athlete; while attempting to make a tackle during a high school football game, he suffered an accident that changed his life forever. At the young age of 16, he became paralyzed from the neck down and now uses a wheelchair. Though Van has no background in science, he recognized its critical role in human advancement and pledged to make a difference.

“I focused on �� because of the lack of representation of African Americans in the field,” Van explained. “I believe the key to success is through education, the great equalizer for individuals growing up in underserved communities.” SAFE’s programs consist of 1200 hours of supervised year-round learning, provided free of charge thanks to funding from programs like the Society’s �� Action Grants. To date, SAFE has received a total of $10,000 from the Society in 2018 and 2019 combined. Students learn how to structure their time and build solid study habits through daily attendance.

Students had the opportunity to learn about glass blowing at the McFadden Art Glass Studio in Baltimore.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SAFE ALTERNATIVE FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION/JAVON ROYE

This summer, SAFE held its 4th annual youth summer camp. With the assistance of the Society �� Action Grant, Van’s team expanded participants from 18 to 30 students. Lasting six weeks, the camp is designed to provide free educational enrichment activities. The camp operates on nearly the same schedule as regular school hours, meaning that students are engaged with hands-on �� projects during the summer season when they might otherwise be participating in harmful activities. The served population is comprised of primarily middle school students from the West Baltimore community of Franklin Square. These students live in an area struggling with high crime, poverty, drug use and gang activity. SAFE provides supervision and structure to this population through their distinctive summer camps and year-round programming.

SAFE’s summer program included a trip to the Baltimore Museum of Industry where students recreated their own assembly line.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SAFE ALTERNATIVE FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION/JAVON ROYE

“One of the biggest experiences they take away from camp is being exposed to �� careers, as well as the different environments and people they meet,” said Van. For example, they recently took a trip to the Autobahn Indoor Speedway in Jessup, MD, an indoor go-kart racing venue, where the students not only had a great time, but also learned about physics and mechanics topics such as friction, acceleration, braking and more.

Van, a 2012 graduate of Towson University, had big dreams of playing in the NFL. Those dreams were crushed, but that didn’t stop him from finding a new dream. His organization and dedication to youth have inspired many students to learn to prioritize their education and set personal goals. Van hopes to impart the importance of a having a back-up plan on the participants of his program.

In addition to sharpening their practical knowledge, the students also developed interpersonal skills. “I learned how to talk to people in a way to help them without criticizing them,” expressed one student in the summer camp, who felt that the SAFE summer program made them a more effective communicator. By providing the skills and life experience needed to break into �� fields, in addition to igniting motivation and direction, the SAFE summer program helps students become well-rounded individuals of the world.

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Five questions with ISEF 2019 Best of Category in Environmental Engineering winner, Adyant Shankar

Justin Cohen — Wed, 28 Aug 2019 04:00:00 +0000

This post is part of a series profiling the top 22 Best of Category award winners of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2019. Intel ISEF is the largest pre-college, international �� competition in the world. This year’s competition included participants from 80 countries, regions and territories. Every year, the brightest young scientists from all over the world come together to participate in this incredible fair.

Adyant Shankar of Nashua, New Hampshire, was the top winner in the category of environmental engineering at ISEF 2019. Adyant chemically modified titanium dioxide, a naturally-occurring mineral powder found in the Earth’s crust, with the goal of improving the efficiency of standard air purification devices. Adyant’s project aims to enhance the efficiency of both indoor and outdoor air filters, while also making them affordable and easy to produce. His device holds the potential to drastically improve the quality of life in countries such as China, where the heavy smog necessitates the use of masks.

Here is our conversation with Adyant.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned thus far in your scientific career?

To never give up and be determined. While conducting my research, I stumbled upon many setbacks. I persisted until I achieved results. If I had given up on my project, I never would have made it to ISEF, where I experienced so many wonderful moments and made wonderful memories.

Adyant on his way to accept his best of category in environmental engineering award

PHOTO COURTESY OF SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE & THE PUBLIC/CHRIS AYERS

What was your experience like at Intel ISEF?

In a word: amazing. I met many talented people who shared my passions and research goals and learned new things by talking to fellow competitors and students from other countries.

What issues do you feel all countries should unite to take on?

Issues concerning the safety of our citizens. There is too much violence and hatred in this world against various groups. Countries must come together to realize that hatred and destruction can never be a solution if we want a peaceful world to exist.

How do you unwind when you’re not doing research?

I play the piano or read news covering the latest in technology—especially in the field of medicine. I am extremely interested in technology and strongly believe in its ability to solve medical issues such as cancer, a disease plaguing the world today.

What is something you don’t currently understand that you wish you understood?

I wish I understood the truth of how the Earth was created and whether there is life beyond Earth. While it is amazing that we are the only known living creatures in our solar system, I wish I knew whether there is life in the 100 billion other galaxies in the universe.

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Student investigates a Native American treatment for strep throat

Justin Cohen — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Eighth-grader Saffeyya-Grace Ibrahim attends Sonoran Science Academy in Oro Valley, Arizona, a region once inhabited by her Native American ancestors. In her latest science project, Saffeya-Grace investigated the efficacy of Native American traditional medicines in combating Streptococcus-pyrogenes, more commonly known as strep throat. Her research won her a Society Community Innovation Award, an accolade given to students making a difference in their communities through science.

Saffeyya-Grace’s project, Traditional Native American Medicine: A Novel Alternative to Penicillin in the Control of Streptococcus-pyogenes ATCC 19615, was inspired by her great-grandmother who sought to counteract the growth of antibiotic-resistant superbugs using traditional medicinal practices; she purportedly had a special remedy for strep.

Saffeyya-Grace in the lab testing different remedies on petri dishes

PHOTO COURTESY OF SAFFEYYA-GRACE IBRAHIM

“In my research, I discovered that the remedy my great-grandmother passed down did have antibacterial properties towards Streptococcus pyogenes,” said Saffeyya-Grace. “I realized that it could be a possible alternative to penicillin.” She found that a Pascua-Yaqui tribal medicine, primarily comprised of tea ingredients found in the Southwest Sonoran Desert, could potentially treat strep.

Saffeya-Grace referenced Todar’s Online Textbook of Bacteriology, which cites that S. pyogenes can be found in up to 15% of the population, usually on the skin or in the respiratory tract, without showing signs of disease. However, if S. pyogenes is able to cross the immune system’s first line of defense, it can cause a wide variety of infections or autoimmune disorders.

Penicillin and amoxicillin are the most commonly prescribed antibiotics to treat strep. However, Saffeyya-Grace shared that strep frequently fails to respond to these antibiotics due to its ability to form a substance called biofilm, which shields it from antibiotic treatment. Also, those who are allergic to penicillin may need to rely on synthetic antibiotics—drugs that sometimes have serious side effects. In addition to harmful side effects, the prevalence of synthetic antibiotics has the potential to cause resistance among bacteria.

In two previous projects, Saffeyya-Grace discovered that Native American medicinal remedies have antimicrobial properties. This year, she tested the effectiveness of Native medicines from three tribes—the Navajo, Pima and Pascua-Yaqui tribes—to treat strep.

After preparing each tribal medicinal remedy, recipes Saffeyya-Grace obtained from tribal members, she used sterile diffusion discs to apply each medicine to two identical petri dishes swabbed with strep. She then incubated the dishes at 37 degrees Celsius in both air and a CO2 chamber for 24 hours. By analyzing the zones of inhibition on the dishes, circular areas where the strep did not grow after treatment, Saffeya-Grace determined which remedies were effective. She repeated the test three times.

Oro Valley, Arizona, home of Saffeyya-Grace and the Native American tribes whose remedies she researched

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKICOMMONS

Saffeyya-Grace’s study revealed that only the Pascua-Yaqui medicinal remedy was able to kill S. pyogenes. Each test performed showed at least a 12mm diameter zone of inhibition around the diffusion disc. However, the efficacy of the treatment was reduced in the CO2 chamber. None of the other tribal medicines showed any discernable zone of inhibition. It is not yet clear if there is one specific ingredient or a cocktail of ingredients in the Pascua-Yaqui medicine that killed the bacteria, but Saffeyya-Grace plans to clarify this through further experimentation. She also stated that the ingredients in the Pascua-Yaqui medicinal remedy are relatively inexpensive, non-perishable and easily transported.

Though her research is ongoing, Saffeyya-Grace believes that it may be an effective, low-cost alternative for those who cannot use traditional antibiotics. Saffeya-Grace will continue to explore how a combination of the indigenous medicines of her ancestors and Western medicines can help humanity.

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A navigational buoy powered by turning tides

Justin Cohen — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 16:19:52 +0000

Annually for three years, will give $100 awards to outstanding inventors in up to 270 Society Affiliate Fairs with middle school participants around the country. The prize was specially created to reward young inventors whose projects exemplify the ideals of inventive thinking by identifying a challenge in their community and creating a solution that will improve lives.

John Paul Deering is an eighth-grader from Anchorage, Alaska who recently won the Lemelson Early Inventor Prize at the Alaska Science and Engineering Fair. He invented a navigational buoy that is powered by the motion of the waves with the ultimate goal of making seafaring safer and easier, especially for boats travelling at night.

Surrounded by the majestic waters of Cook Inlet in a region largely driven by the fishing industry, John grew up with a keen awareness of the challenges fishermen and other seafarers face. John’s idea to create a project integrating hydroelectricity was inspired by his father. “I wanted to do something with hydropower, so I came up with the idea of making a hydropowered, lighted buoy that is modeled after a well-known piece of fishing tackle called the Spin-N-Glo,” John said.

So, how does John’s navigational buoy work?

When a strong wave passes the buoy, the current rotates the attached propeller blades, which then rotate the entire buoy. John’s floating device has magnets on both sides; when the buoy rotates, these magnets quickly pass through copper wire coils, producing electricity. The energy created through this process is enough to power an LED light, which sits atop John’s design.

John shared how his invention has many advantages over standard navigational buoy designs. Powered by the movement of water, his design is energy-efficient and would cost less than a lighted buoy that runs on battery power. John’s device may also be preferable to solar-powered buoys, which are most useful in daylight hours. His buoy is built to function at any time of day and does not require a big battery bank to store energy during dark periods.

John when he realizes his invention works as intended

John’s research was not without its fair share of setbacks. He went through five different designs before settling on one and plans to further refine the final version, as some of the moving parts can potentially harm marine life. “My largest concern is that the propellers spin so fast that if they were to come in contact with fish or other animals, they may be killed or injured. As a fisherman, I care deeply about aquatic life, so I wouldn’t use my design until I have found a way to solve this problem,” John explained.

John relayed that receiving the Lemelson Early Inventor Prize has given him confidence to consider himself an inventor. “My most fulfilling moment was deploying my final design and seeing the LED light up!” said John. “I had spent long hours building and testing my buoy designs in the icy waters of Alaska; when I saw the buoy spin and that little green light finally flicker, it was like the sun coming out in the midwinter darkness!”

John plans to continue his research project and hopes that one day his buoy can act as a reliable warning system for tsunamis. With the skills that John displays at such a young age, it is clear that his full potential has yet to be tapped!

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For the Taboadas, science fair is a family tradition

Justin Cohen — Tue, 23 Jul 2019 04:00:00 +0000

No matter what a person ends up doing in their life, support and validation from family and friends is a universal need. This is especially true in a mentor-driven field like scientific research, where failure and burnout are commonplace. For the Taboada family of San Antonio, Texas, unconditional support paved the way as each generation made the decision to follow in the footsteps of their parents and grandparents.

Three generations of the Taboada family have participated in the International Science and Engineering Fair. Most recently, rising high school junior Catherine “Annastina” Taboada (ISEF 2019) developed a gravity measuring instrument that was able to detect high- and low-frequency variations in the Earth’s gravitational fields and extraterrestrial gravitational field. Her father, (ISEF 1988-1990), built a metal vapor laser while his father, John Taboada Sr. (ISEF 1962), developed a Geiger counter-controlled cloud chamber to study cosmic rays.

John Taboada Sr. (ISEF 1962) explains his Geiger counter-controlled cloud chamber

PHOTO COURTSY OF JOHN TABOADA

John Taboada Sr. has always had the drive for science, so it’s not hard to imagine his excitement when he learned that both his son and grandchild shared his passion. Growing up, he busied himself taking apart and rebuilding electrical equipment, such as televisions and radios, in his father’s electronic shop—a catalyst for his own scientific curiosity.

The science fair tradition officially began when John Sr. participated at the Alamo Regional Science and Engineering Fair, where he qualified for ISEF and earned a scholarship to Trinity University in San Antonio. Then, at ISEF in 1962, he received a signed certificate from NASA’s second administrator, James E. Webb, and won a trip to the NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California. He proceeded to serve as a research physicist at the United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine. Later, he cofounded his own corporation, Taboada Research Instruments.

John Taboada Jr. (ISEF 1988, 1989, 1990) fabricated a metal vapor laser for his ISEF project

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN TABOADA

John Taboada Sr. could not be happier that he and his son had the opportunity to collaborate on scientific research ventures. “No doubt this technical bond has kept us very close, sort of a family tradition. We have all gained from the intense learning in a science field and the experience of presenting work at a science fair. We later used these skills in technical conference environments. “

John Taboada Jr.’s post-ISEF route was similar to his father’s. He continued his career in science at the University of Texas at Austin where he earned a bachelor’s degree in physics, followed by a doctoral degree in electrical engineering. Today, he is no longer on the bench, so to speak, but instead supports science as an intellectual property lawyer, protecting the inventions and research of others. John is pleased to have followed in his father’s footsteps, and is especially proud that his daughter wants to travel the same path as well.

Annastina (ISEF 2019) and her invention which detects high- and low-frequency variations in the Earth’s gravitational fields

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN TABOADA

Annastina, the newest generation, discovered her own knack for scientific research when she took a family trip to Yellowstone National Park in the third grade and decided she wanted to know how geysers work. Her growing curiosity led her to join the science fair club in fifth grade.

“I independently decided to join, knowing I had resources and people willing to mentor me,” said Annastina. “While I decided independently that I wanted to do science fair, my father and grandfather were right there behind me to support and encourage me.”

Annastina just finished her sophomore year of high school and hopes to attend college to become an actuary. Wherever she goes, she knows that support and encouragement will follow.

“I do not feel an added pressure from being a third generation ISEF alumna,” she explained. “Rather, I feel triply elated when I do well because I am making my family proud and have more people to celebrate with me.”

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