By Ryan Heaton
What would it take to fly an airplane on Mars?
This is the question Winston Larson, 13, considered as part of his science project entitled “Mars Quest: Sending an Airplane to Mars.”
His research earned him a spot as a finalist among 40 other middle school students across the nation in the Discovery Young Scientist Challenge.
“You have to have some kind of air to push down on the wings,” Larson said. “On Mars, the air density is a lot less, and so you”d have to have bigger wings and a smaller fuselage to make it fly.”
That was the simple answer. Larson”s project evaluated other logistical obstacles including how to power the plane using solar panels and how to make sure the plane had power at night.
As a finalist, Winston and his parents will be flown to Washington, D.C. this month to participate in the final competition taking place at the Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo. Winners receive thousands in scholarship money and other awards.
“We designed the DYSC to promote science excellence among middle school students at the pivotal age when their interests start to wane,” said Kyle O”Connor, DYSC program director. The DYSC also takes science contests to a new level because it is hands-on, high-impact, and it makes science cool.”
Larson currently attends Springville Junior High School. John Penrod, principle of the Springville Junior High, said Larson”s achievement has inspired the entire science program of the school.
“This is an unbelievable honor to have a student that has had this kind of success in our school,” Penrod said. “What”s exciting is that it builds excitement among the science programs; kids become aware that this success is a reality.”
Larson found out about a month ago he was selected as a finalist for the science competition.
“I was stuck to the ceiling,” Larson said. “I was just so happy.”
Both Larson and his parents are excited to go to Washington, D.C.
Larson”s mother, Allison, said she was very proud of her son.
“He has always read a lot and been very conscientious,” Allison Larson said. “I”m just pleased that he can go back and be a finalist and do something that he loves doing.”
Larson said he has been interested in planes since he was about two or three years old. As a future profession, Larson would like to become an aerospace engineer, perhaps doing graduate work at M.I.T. in Boston.
However, Larson said he has already established his undergraduate priorities.
“Well, I definitely want to go to BYU,” Larson said.
