Fairfax teen talks science after national competition

Freshman at Fairfax County's Madison High School in Vienna is back from the 3M Top Young Scientist Challenge, where she was a national finalist. This is a big deal. Now she's at a middle school working to encourage a love of science in other students. Fox 5 photojournalist Nelson Jones brings us her story. So scientists, imagine having an idea about solving some global energy problems, and that's exactly what Millie Pradwong did. She was one of the top ten finalists for the Young Scientist 3M Award. Just like you guys, I was in this classroom, and my idea actually did come from this classroom in seventh grade. My idea was based on the foundation of biofuels and renewable energy. I'm very grateful to have her as my teacher in seventh grade. The biggest challenge for me is coding because I coded the AI myself. I think it's very nostalgic since I was also a student here and I see like the eighth graders and seventh graders doing the same packets and same things that I did when I was their age. Research is never a straight line. There's gonna be like ups and downs. Something will go right. Well guess what? Something's also gonna go wrong. What excites me the most is when they share their ideas and collaborate. Because now more people know, and now they can actually make an impact. I'm here for so many students for so many different reasons. And then to have one come back with such high achievements, it's really exciting. Congratulations again. It's a huge deal, not just for her, but all the people surrounding her. We're just all proud of a former student doing something amazing with what we're teaching. The internet's your best friend, guys. You have a question, Google it. Thank you so much, Millie, for being here.