LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Two Jefferson County Public Schools students have been selected to present research at the American Junior Academy of Science 2024 annual program. The program is the only U.S. honor society recognizing America’s premier high school students for outstanding scientific research. 

The two will travel to Colorado this week to present their inventions on the national stage.

Annika Chadha has big ideas. She’s a freshman and inventor at duPont Manual High School in Louisville.

“My grandfather was recovering from cancer surgery and had to use a walker to get around, but one day when he was using his walker he fell and it caused several injuries including losing his ability to speak,” said Chadha. 

Chadha saw that walkers have wheels that can only move forward and backward. Through two years of trial and error, she created a fall detector that could be installed onto walkers and the “omni-wheel.”

“With a straight wheel you’re going to have to turn and pivot, but with my omni-wheel you’re able to make just a nice smooth turn,” said Chadha. 

Chadha will travel to Denver, Colorado, to present her invention to the American Junior Academy of Science, and she won’t be alone.

DuPont Manual junior Summer Li will present for biometric authentication.

“With your phone you have facial ID, or like with an old phone, you had to use your fingerprint to unlock your phone. Now with my invention, you could just use your heart-beat patterns to unlock your device,” said Li. 

Her invention may open a new world of possibilities.

The American Junior Academy of Science annual program is Wednesday through Saturday in Denver.

While there, Chadha and Li will share their research on a national stage and engage with professional scientists.

Chadha and Li are two of Kentucky’s 12 delegates selected to present at the American Junior Academy of Sciences program.