Teen Inventor Zaps Invasive Pests

Dive into the world of Selina Zhang, a New Jersey high schooler who turned her irritation with invasive spotted lanternflies into innovation. Using a blend of chess, Dance Dance Revolution, and a repurposed umbrella, she crafted ArTreeficial: a solar-powered, AI-driven trap that zaps these pests in a flash. Featured in Smithsonian Magazine, this tale of teen ingenuity tackles an ecological menace with tech-savvy flair. Who knew battling bugs could be so electrifying?

Bugs, Bytes, and Bright Ideas

Imagine a world where the buzzing of bees and the rustling of leaves are replaced by the hum of machines working to protect our environment. This is not a scene from a science fiction novel but a glimpse into the innovative mind of a high schooler who saw a problem and thought, "I can fix this." The spotted lanternfly, an invasive species, has been wreaking havoc on local agriculture, posing a significant threat not just to the economy but to the ecosystem as well. By inventing a trap that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to specifically target these pests without harming other wildlife, this story highlights the power of interdisciplinary innovation—where biology meets technology—to solve real-world problems. It's a testament to how understanding and leveraging technology can lead to sustainable solutions that protect our planet. For you, this could be an inspiration to look at the problems around you and think about how your interests in science, technology, or any other field could contribute to solving them.