Chemistry
Tabletop lightning helps make an alcohol used for fuels and more
Methanol is used in plastics, paints and as a race car fuel. It’s been hard to make. But engineers have found a simple trick: Add lightning to methane.
MS-ETS1-2
Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
More Stories in MS-ETS1-2
- Physics
Origami research takes top prize at 2026 Regeneron ISEF competition
The top three winners each won at least $80,000. Other teen finalists shared in more than $7 million in prizes at this international science fair.
- Plants
Perfect pitch? Scientists lay new grounds for World Cup ‘26
High-tech turfgrass carpets will be unrolled in 16 stadiums across North America — including five that must survive despite getting no natural sunlight.
- Chemistry
New polish could turn long nails into touchscreen styluses
It registers nails' touch by disrupting the touchscreen’s electric field. But this high-tech varnish isn’t ready to hit store shelves yet.
- Artificial Intelligence
A new shield could guard AI agents against cyberattacks
A teen’s software could help guard AI that handles sensitive data against sneaky “prompt injection attacks.”
- Environment
Teen engineer finds eco-friendly way to fight harmful algal blooms
The Netflix series Outer Banks inspired this teen engineer to help clean up algal blooms in a local waterway.
- Tech
This Band Aid-like device could let you ‘feel’ the virtual world
Using a grid of tiny, fast-moving dots, this device realistically renders virtual textures by mimicking the feel of real-world objects.
- Artificial Intelligence
At least half of U.S. teens use chatbots for homework and more
Most also feel optimistic about benefits of chatbots and other AI. But use of this tech varies quite a bit by race and family income.
- Tech
These smart robots are smaller than a grain of salt
Such tiny robots could someday explore the cellular realm to study health and treat diseases.
- Agriculture
This engineer designed a device to make farm work easier
Juan Espinoza engineered a device to help ease physical demands on workers at citrus farms.
