Inspired by #FlintWaterCrisis, Indian Girl Invents Lead Testing App
Watch the October 30th broadcast of Prime News
An 11-year-old Indian girl from Colorado has been inspired by the #FlintWaterCrisis to find an easy, quick test for lead in water…and has now been named the winner of the 2017 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge.
Gitanjali Rao won the award based on her development of “Tethys,” a a sensor-based device that can detect lead in water faster than other current techniques. Gitanjali said current tests for lead in water are “too cumbersome, expensive” and time-consuming, and said her invention uses a mobile app that populates the water’s status almost immediately. The invention is designed to be portable and easy to use, allowing individuals to test water safety whenever needed by using a disposable cartridge, 9-volt battery and a smart phone as tools.
3M and Discovery Education said the middle school student was awarded the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist” as well as a $25,000 prize for her work.
Great work, Gitanjali! – @Trezanay
