IT MIGHT BE EASY TO THINK THAT YOU NEED TO BE AN ADULT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE SCIENCE WORLD, BUT THIS WEEK OUR A PLUS GOES TO AN OHIO TEEN WHO IS BUZZING TO THE TOP OF THE CHARTS.
MAANASA MENDU IS A LOT LIKE ANY OTHER FRESHMAN IN HIGH SCHOOL. SHE'S GOT HOMEWORK AND PLENTY OF AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES. EXCEPT NOT MANY 14-YEAR-OLDS APPEAR ON ONE OF FORBES 30 UNDER 30 LISTS. NONE... IN FACT. SHE'S THE YOUNGEST THIS YEAR MAANASA MENDU, FORBES 30 UNDER 30 ENERGY: "I THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY SURPRISING AT FIRST THAT I COULD BE ON SUCH A COOL LIST." MAANASA'S (MAH-NUH-SUH) HUMBLE... BUT HER SCIENTIFIC ADVANCES ARE GETTING HER NOTICED. LAST YEAR A DEVICE SHE CREATED HELPED EARN HER THE TITLE OF AMERICA'S TOP YOUNG SCIENTIST. "THIS DEVICE HARVESTS MECHANICAL ENERGY, SO LIKE IN THE FORMS OF WIND OR LIKE PRECIPITATION THROUGH THIS PIEZOELECTRICITY EFFECT. AND IT JUST-- "WHAT'S PIEZOELECTRICITIC?" (LAUGHS) "YEAH, SORRY..." OKAY, SO THE SCIENCE MIGHT BE HARD TO UNDERSTAND... BUT THE APPLICATION MAKES PERFECT SENSE. MAANASA MENDU: "ELECTRICITY IS THIS FUNDAMENTAL OF MODERN SOCIETY. HAVING 1/5 OF OUR POPULATION LEFT BEHIND IS QUITE UNIMAGINABLE FOR US LIVING OUT HERE WITH EVERYTHING WITHIN OUR REACH."
MAANASA (MAH-NUH-SUH) WAS INSPIRED DURING FAMILY TRIPS TO INDIA... WHERE BLACKOUTS ARE COMMON. SHE DOESN'T THINK ANYONE SHOULD HAVE TO LIVE WITHOUT SOMETHING WE TAKE FOR GRANTED EVERYDAY.
FOR HER ENLIGHTENING WORK, WE GIVE MAANASA A BIG NEWSDEPTH A PLUS!
Instructional Links
Website Article: 3M, Discovery Education and 3M Announce 2016 Science Competition Winner
Website Article: The Maker Mon, Meet Maanasa Mendu: America’s Top Young Scientist of 2016
Video: YouTube, SURE2010: Energy Harvesting Using Piezo Electric Device