Meet Smartist Hannah Herbst: White House Science Fair Exhibitor Innovating for Power Resources in Developing Countries

Smart Girls will be answering your #SmartGirlsAsk questions LIVE from the White House Science Fair! Tweet us your questions for these impressive student innovators using the #SmartGirlsAsk and tune in today starting at 1pm ET for the answers! In preparation, we are pleased to bring you this special edition of Smartists introducing you to some of the incredible students on their way to the White House! Meet Hannah!

The 2016 White House Science Fair is an exciting event hosted by President Obama, highlighting the ingenuity and creativity of the next generation of scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and innovators. Student projects tackle some of America’s biggest challenges — climate change, cell-phone security, cancer treatment, early detection of the Ebola virus, recycling, energy efficiency, and more.

One of the exhibitors is 15-year-old Hannah Herbst, who created BEACON, an ocean-energy probe prototype that seeks to offer a stable power source to developing countries. Hannah has already received numerous honors for her design, including recognition from the Society of Women Engineers and the Office of Naval Research. We caught up with Hannah for a quick chat about her work.

Smart Girls: What are you most looking forward to most about going to the White House?

Hannah: I’ve always wanted to visit Washington, D.C., since I am very interested in politics and government. I am also looking forward to meeting the President of the United States and the other exhibitors, since all of their projects seem so amazing!

SG: What is your favorite part about what you designed/developed?

Hannah: My favorite part of BEACON is that it has the ability to really change people’s lives all over the world and lift people from energy poverty. It’s robust, versatile, and novel, and is a feasible solution to the energy poverty crisis that is preventing people from obtaining an education and living up to their potential worldwide.

SG: Why did you choose to design/study etc this area?

Hannah: I chose to convert the kinetic movement of current energy into a useable electricity source to help my nine year old pen pal, Ruth, who lives in Ethiopia. She has no access to electricity, and devices that I take for granted on a daily basis, such as lights, medical supplies, and fresh water.

SG: Who are your female role models?

Hannah: My most influential female role model is my mom. She has always taught me how to set goals and care for others, and I am always inspired when she speaks about the importance of good nutrition to families. Another female role model that I look up to is Marie Curie, one of just two scientists to have obtained two nobel prizes in separate fields. She truly inspires me to continue scientific research. My final female role models are my grandmothers. They are always there for me and they always encourage me to do my best.

SG: What advice do you have for other students?

Hannah: Try stuff! If you have an idea or a problem to solve, don’t hesitate to sketch out a model or build a prototype out of materials that you have around your house. Who knows, that prototype could change someone’s life!

SG: What was your biggest challenge with this project?

Hannah: My biggest challenge with this project was catering to the needs of people in developing nations. They don’t have electricity to start with, so I had to ensure that if a wire broke or a technical difficulty occurred, they had the tools to solve those problems. For example, I replaced my original solder and electrical tape technique for keeping wires together with 3M’s Scotchlok Butt Connectors to eliminate the use of solder and make the device more practical. The connectors also helped to guard against salt water intrusion and protect against corrosion while further insulating the prototype.

If you’re feeling inspired by Hannah, you can design your own Science Fair project! Check out the activities in this toolkit, and show off your project by tweeting with the hashtag #WHScienceFair. More details at the 2016 White House Science Fair.

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Featured image courtesy of Discovery Education/Andy Clayton-King