Though just 16 years old, Melissa Carvell is already working to save lives.
And, her efforts are being both recognized and rewarded.
While competing in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, which was held from May 13-19 in Albuquerque , N.M. , the Bartlesville Mid-High School sophomore took second place in the Engineering – Materials and Bio-Engineering Category. Carvell's project focused on improving the body armor which United States forces wear as protection while serving overseas, in countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan.
Carvell was awarded an $8,000 scholarship from the Navy as well as a $1,500 cash prize from the Air Force for her project work. She won a $1,500 cash prize for finishing second in her category at the ISEF.
A Mid-High science teacher, Colleen Bennett accompanied Carvell to the event in Albuquerque and notes the magnitude of the youngster's achievement can't be stressed enough.
“This is like winning a Nobel Prize,” says Bennett. “This is huge.
“There were five Nobel Laureates – former Nobel Prize winners in science and engineering – among the judges.”
Representatives from the esteemed Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Lincoln Lab recently revealed that they will name asteroids after the first- and second-place winners in each category at the ISEF. Thus, Carvell will receive that rather unique honor later this year.
The body armor currently used by U.S. forces is basically comprised of ceramic plates placed inside of Kevlar sleeves. While trying to figure out how to strengthen the armor, Carvell began looking at the possibility of reinforcing the ceramic plates with carbon fibers. The ceramic plates used in body armor are notably strong in compression but weak in tension, meaning they can shatter upon impact. Carvell's idea was to reinforce the back of the plates with two layers of carbon fibers at 90 degree angles to each other.
She then set about testing her idea. Using an AK-47 bullet, she dropped it from different heights – sometimes with weights – onto the reinforced plates to mimic the impact of a fired shell from a weapon. Through her research, she determined the strength of the plates could be improved by more than 8,000 times.
“I wanted to do something to help people,” says Carvell. “And, I enjoy working with composites. So, this was a good project for me.”
Carvell comes by her interest in science naturally. Her father, Lee, is a chemical engineer with ChevronPhillips as well as the director of the Bartlesville District Science Fair. Young Melissa began developing her taste for science around the first grade. By the seventh grade, and already an avid follower of the NASA space program, she began to wonder how space shuttles could be manufactured more safely.
“I knew they used composites on the shuttle,” recalls Carvell, noting that her father worked with NASA while he was with McDonnell Douglas, a major aerospace manufacturer and defense contractor. “I was trying to make one that wouldn't expand or contract, and therefore wouldn't break.”
Some day, Carvell might be able to assist NASA with her discoveries. For now though, the U.S. military might benefit. She plans to continue her research into improving the troops' body armor. A plan is afoot for an actual AK-47 to be fired into the reinforced plates to further test her theory. Though Carvell's research shows the reinforced plates would be substantially stronger, the body armor would see an increase in weight of just 10 percent. Under Carvell's plan, the body armor used today could eventually weight less but be significantly more protective. Reinforced plates could be shaved down to make them lighter but still much more resistant.
The fact that Carvell turned in such a fine showing at the International Science and Engineering Fair came as no surprise to Mid-High principal Jason Langham.
“Melissa is a young lady who works very hard,” he says. “She is a quiet leader. Kids follow her lead because they know she'll do the right thing.
“She is an excellent student across the board.”
Carvell was one of two students, along with fellow Mid-High sophomore Mackenzie McDaniel, chosen from the 2007 Bartlesville District Science Fair to compete in the ISEF event. Later that month, in late March, Carvell won the best overall project in the 2007 Oklahoma Science and Engineering Fair. She entered her body armor project in both the district and state competitions.
The International Science and Engineering Fair featured more than 1,500 students competing in several categories. The students hailed from more than 50 countries and territories.
“It was incredible,” says Carvell. “I loved meeting all of the people from throughout the world.
“It was so cool.”
It was so cool that Carvell plans to compete in the 2008 event, which is slated to be held in Atlanta , Ga. Students can re-enter projects as long as they have done new experimentation and collected fresh data. That won't be a problem for Carvell, who is even looking into a patent for her work.
“Whatever Melissa does,” says Bennett, “I don't think anyone will be disappointed.”
Melissa Carvell, a sophomore at the Bartlesville Mid-High School , won second place in the Engineering – Materials and Bio-Engineering Category of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, which was held from May 13-19 in Albuquerque , N.M. The competition featured more than 1,500 students hailing from over 50 countries and territories.