Barack Obama joked that 17-year-old Taylor Wilson of Reno must have
one of the most radioactive garages in the nation.
Taylor, a senior at the prestigious Davidson Academy of Reno, has been
studying nuclear science since he was 10 years old and got a chance to
show Obama his patented invention to help detect highly enriched
uranium and weapons grade plutonium.
"He asked what my parents thought about the nuclear material in my
garage," Taylor said after meeting the president.
But, all joking aside, Obama also told Taylor that his invention could
help protect the United States from terrorists. In a roomful with a
marshmallow-shooting air cannon and robots, Taylor's invention stood
out for its seriousness.
The teenager said his detection system could be used as a monitor at
U.S. ports to scan cargo containers for dangerous radioactive
materials that terrorists may try to smuggle into the country. He said
his device would cost less than $100.
Taylor has met with officials of the Homeland Security and Energy
Departments to discuss his invention, and Obama urged other members of
his administration to talk to the young scientist.
"I've been doing nuclear science since I was 10 years old," Taylor
said. "I'm going to use my work to fight terrorism."
Taylor was among more than 100 students from throughout the country —
and the only one from Nevada — to have their inventions and
discoveries featured at the second White House Science Fair. The event
celebrates student winners of a broad range of science, technology,
engineering and math competitions from across the nation.
Taylor's invention earned him the 2011 Intel Foundation Young
Scientist Award, which included a cash prize of $50,000. He also won
the contest's Best of Category in physics.
"We've got to emphasize how important this is and recognize these
incredible young people who are doing things that I couldn't even
imagine thinking about at fifth grade or eighth grade or in high
school," Obama said in a speech after he toured the White House fair.
Obama used the occasion to announce steps that his administration is
taking to prepare 100,000 math and science teachers to train one
million additional science and math graduates over the next decade.
"The young people I met today — you guys inspire me," Obama said.
"You're making sure we'll always be home to the most creative
entrepreneurs, the most advanced science labs and universities. You're
making sure America will win the race to the future. "
In addition to taking on terrorists, Taylor is working on a way to
dramatically cut the cost of using radioactive isotopes in medical
diagnostic tests.
When he explains his inventions to adults, Taylor said he often sees
the same reaction.
"I get a lot of shocked faces," he said.
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