Innovative Minds: Catherine Manley

West Valley Middle School | 8th grade grade | 13 years old

Creating a Healthier Human Society

About the Idea

The Aquabot is my invention that uses thermoelectricity to condense clean drinking water out of the air without using a filtration system for people in need of clean water. It is self-sustainable and has very few parts so it will not break down easily. It is powered only by renewable resources and releases no byproducts. The Aquabot is portable and cheap to make it as accessible as possible for the people in need.

Why did you enter the 3M Young Scientist Challenge?

I entered the Young Scientist Challenge because I wanted to get the experience of modeling and presenting an idea. I also wanted to further show my invention to the world so it can one day be manufactured and help others.

What is your favorite invention of the last 100 years, and why?

My favorite invention of the last 100 years are computers. They are extremely useful and interesting in the way that they store a world of knowledge in itself. Though great strides have already been made, I believe many technological inventions are soon to come.

In 15 years I hope to be...

In 15 years I will be in my late twenties. At that point I hope to be on a stable career path. In what, I don’t know yet, but I hope it is something that does good for others.