science 🔬 Fifth grader designs novel, high-energy molecule
A fifth-grader in Kansas City built a unique ball-and-stick molecule during science class. The student, Clara Lazen, at Border Star Montessori School presented her structure to her teacher, Kenneth Boehr. This occurred around January 2012, and the model was sent to a professor, Robert Zoellner, for analysis. Zoellner confirmed the structure, dubbed tetranitratoxycarbon, matched known ratios but was a never-before-described arrangement. This hypothetical molecule suggested high energy potential, leading to a peer-reviewed publication. ⚛️