Find It Quick!

For an over achieving teenager who takes pride in being called a nerd, you would think that a science fair entry wouldn't be the thing that stumps them. Just make a fancy water filter and call it a day, you might say. But no. Things had to get much more complicated. Hello! Welcome back to another rocky and explosive blog entry. This one is a little different than my previous ones. Instead of exploring a question or a possibility, I am going to reflect on something that brings on a truckload of emotions and stress: the science fair. As a freshman in a high school with a prestigious STEM program, I had wild ambitions in mind. “I’m going to enroll in the STEM program and win the science fair! I might even get a scholarship for my hard work!” Fortunately, my attitude was infectious. But it didn’t last long. The first time I heard about the annual science fair, I thought that it would be a cool addition to my first semester as a high schooler. But I soon came to realize that this was more than an extension project. This was an opportunity for my work to be put out into the world, to meet people that can help me figure out what I can do with my life. A chance to really explore the waters and figure out how I can help the people around me! The possibilities were endless. Obviously, this only fueled my enthusiasm. How hard can it be to think of an impressive engineering project and pull it off in six months? Unfortunately, being the overly enthused person I am, I may have underestimated the amount of work that is needed to even generate an idea. By the next few weeks, everyone had a topic of some kind to base their project on. But I was clueless. Every time I sit down to think of a question or problem to inspire me, my thoughts always end at, “Seriously?” Maybe program a digital tutor in the form of an app? Already invented. Invent a sound amplifier for instruments? Not needed. What about creating a portable water filter? It had already been invented, and, besides, it was taken by two other people. Things weren’t going very well. I had three months until I presented my project to the judges, and if I didn’t have an idea or inspiration soon, I might just curl up into a ball and pray that no one cares enough to look for me. One day, right before dinner, I heard my dad talking to a friend about an article he read. The article was about farmers dying due to electrocution. When I looked it up, I was surprised to find that the reason for such casualties wasn’t just because of human error or malfunction. Farmers and even workers didn’t know what was going on at all. They had no idea that a streetlamp or their fence was electrified, so they still go near them. What’s the point in setting new, extensive rules and regulations to prevent malfunctions when we could just prevent people from coming near the shock radius instead? This got me thinking. What if there was a simple device on every metal fence or streetlamp that could alert nearby civilians of a harmful electricity surge? Almost like a fire alarm but for electricity. I mean, it did have a nice ring to it. “Attempt made by teenager to end electrical casualties.” “The Electrical Danger Detector, a new domestic safety device?” Without thinking twice, I pitched the idea to my dad. It's not like I had anything better to purpose. After a swift back-and-forth Q & A session, he said, and I quote, “Man, you make it sound so simple! I was thinking of some elaborate plan that involves some nonprofit organizations and a few lasers. You might be onto something there. Anyway, what’s for dinner?” I thought that went rather quickly. Then again, it might’ve been because he just wanted to eat dinner. The next morning, I sprinted into class, in hopes of presenting to my science teacher. Before anyone can start working on their project, they must get the approval of my teacher, and let's just say that I visited her enough times for her to start avoiding me. But time was running out, and I was not going to take “no” for an answer. “I think that is a solid entry plan! You are helping to protect people against a threat that is taking lives in real time. The idea isn’t even that complicated to pull off, time-wise that is, which is always a plus. Go for it!” She wasn’t joking about having a solid entry plan. I made sure to use reassuring words and “theories” to add to the pleasing factor. If I was an animated character, I would’ve sped around the classroom at sonic speed twice before jumping four feet in the air, yelling “HORRAY!” I had a solid, sound, nine-hour long sleep that night, positive that I will get through this science fair with no problem at all. Boy, was I wrong! What Do You Think? Gotcha! There is so much more to my journey through the science fair. This was just the introduction! The real work and stress haven’t begun yet! Don’t worry, though, more is coming! Meanwhile, it’s your turn to think! What is one problem that you wish you could solve or at least improve? Pick a random object from your surroundings. Think of a new way to use it. Do you think you can solve a problem by using something in a different way? Have you ever been to a science fair or participated in one? If you have, then what inspired you or what invention or research project caught your eye?