Reitz High School senior Ryan Loehrlein will be traveling to Pittsburgh in May to compete in the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), scheduled for May 10 in Pittsburgh, Penn., after competing in the Hoosier Science and Engineering Fair last week.
Loehrlein’s project, “The Guardian Angel: Heroic Acts Taking Flight,†was selected as an ISEF finalist, meaning he will be part of the Indiana delegation at the ISEF where he will join more than 1,700 high school students from over 70 countries, regions and territories who will showcase their research and compete for more than $5 million in prizes.
As part of his project, Loehrlein designed, built and tested a drone that can partner with SWAT teams. The drone can be remotely operated and can send real-time images and data back to a cell phone, iPad or computer. In addition, blueprints of the building can be programmed into the drone which can then fly the entire building without needing to be controlled, helping SWAT teams clear and learn layouts of buildings before entering.
Loehrlein’s project also earned him the John and Janet Davis Scholarship worth $3,000 at the state competition.
In addition, two other Reitz seniors, Alyssa Plumlee and Sarah Shull competed at the state Science Fair. Plumlee received a $100 prize from the American Osteopathic Association for her project that studied the viability of using 3D printing to create bone replacements for patients.
