A 14-year-old female student has invented a device for detecting and treating otitis media in children, winning the grand prize at the 2022 3M Young Scientist Challenge and earning the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.”
Student Leanne Fan, a 9th grader at Westville High School in San Diego, California, is the winner of the 2022 3M Young Scientist Challenge.
This is the premier middle school science competition in the United States.
Student Leanne Fan – (Photo: NEXT SHARK)
As the winner, Fan received $25,000 in cash and the prestigious title of “America’s Top Young Scientist,” along with a trip to a special destination.
She developed a device for detecting and treating otitis media in children using machine learning technology and blue light therapy.
Fan named this low-cost wearable device “Finsen Headphones” after scientist Niels Finsen, a Nobel laureate known for discovering that ultraviolet light can help treat bacterial infections.
Every year, over 10% of the world’s population suffers from middle ear infections, with most cases occurring in children or those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Fan explained in her competition entry: “Not everyone has access to a doctor, making the diagnosis and treatment of otitis media very challenging. My solution is to create an affordable device that can detect and treat middle ear infections.”
In addition to preventing up to 60% of hearing loss in children, Fan’s Finsen Headphones can also play music. Fan mentioned that she enjoys listening to the K-pop group BTS on her smart headphones.
According to a press release from 3M, when Fan reached the finals, she was assigned a mentor to help her turn her idea into a working prototype. Dr. Ross Behling, a scientist from 3M’s materials laboratory, worked directly with Fan until the prototype was completed.
Last month, Fan presented her final project at 3M’s headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she competed against eight other finalists.
In the 2022 3M Young Scientist Challenge, the second prize was awarded to 14-year-old Harini Venkatesh from New Hampshire. Venkatesh invented a solution for quickly and accurately measuring nearsightedness.
Shanza Sami, also 14, from Iowa, placed third for developing a five-stage air pollution filter.
Both of them received a $1,000 award and a trip to a special destination.
