Finalist Video ~ Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge

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Pennsylvania - Michael Koehler
2008 Finalist
Age: 15
Hometown: Allison Park
School: Hampton Middle School
Grade: 8
 
Question: What about science fascinates you (or more simply, what do you like about science)?
Answer: My main interest in science is in physics and chemistry.
Question: What hobbies or extra-curricular activities do you enjoy and why?
Answer: I enjoy flying remote control airplanes because I find it fascinating how a heavier than air object is capable of remaining airborne. I also like the challenge of flying the aircraft and enjoy doing stunts and testing the limits of the airplane's physical strength.
I regularly volunteer at the Western Pennsylvania Model Railroad Museum helping to build the scenery and lay the track. I also volunteer during their annual show and help keep the trains running smoothly by repairing derailments and swapping out trains. Trains have been something I have loved since I was very little. I have played the violin for 5 years. I especially enjoy improvising music because that is a way to express how I feel.
Question: What career do you want to pursue and why?
Answer: I'm not really sure what I want to do for my career at this point, but I think I might like to be an aeronautics engineer or an aircraft crash scientist. I might want to be an aeronautics engineer because I'm fascinated by the science of flight. I am interested in being an aircraft crash scientist because I think it would be interesting to analyze how different structural components of the aircraft are affected under sudden impacts, and by observing how these parts are damaged, I could design ways to make them safer.
Question: What is your favorite school subject?
Answer: Science class and Introduction to Transportation class