May 28, 2008
Charlotte Prong Parkhill
RECORD STAFF
WATERLOO
Daniel Burd's cellphone rings during class. It's the media calling. Again.
The Grade 11 student at Waterloo Collegiate Institute has become something of a science superstar after trying to speed up the incredibly slow decay of plastic bags for a school project.
Discussion boards on the web are lighting up and there's been a barrage of media requests for interviews.
Burd, however, is almost oblivious to his new-found fame. He's just returned from a student council retreat and is now focused on studying for his exams.
The 16-year-old became a web sensation after his pastic-bag project took first place at the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Ottawa.
People are drawn to the teenager's research project, which identifies a way to speed up the decomposition of polyethylene bags.
The Record's initial story about Burd has been viewed almost 130,000 times and has been picked up by websites and blogs such as Wired Science and Digital Journal.
Although he has now done interviews with the CBC and several radio stations, he prefers the focus be on his project, not him.
"But I'm glad for the attention because this is a really big problem for our society," he said yesterday. "It's good that people are interested . . . and want to know more about this."
Burd has been invited to the Canadian Intellectual Properties Office to discuss possibilities for patenting his ideas.
But for now, he'll be using part of his $10,000 science fair prize to continue his research.
He also wants to pay back his mother for the support she's given him on the project so far. And he's planning a charitable donation.
"I'd like to give back to my regional science fair," Burd said. "I believe a science fair is a really unique opportunity for students to get feedback."
He hasn't decided where his $20,000 in scholarship money will be spent, or what he'll study.
Burd's achievement is timely.
Just yesterday, the LCBO announced it would phase out the use of plastic bags, a move expected to save about 80 million of them from ending up in landfills.
Jennifer Clapp, an environmental studies professor at the University of Waterloo, is pleased Burd's research is calling attention to an important issue but hopes people aren't looking to science to provide all the answers.
"We risk drowning in a sea of plastic bags because they take so long to decompose," Clapp said.
"The idea that something can break them down is exciting, but we still need to reduce our use."
Craig Nickel, the activities director at WCI, said Burd is a well-rounded student who, in his role as charity controller, organized a drive that raked in more than 10,000 pencils for schools in Africa.
"He's very sincere and very passionate about making a difference in his world," Nickel said. "A very inspiring young man to be around."
Nickel said all the attention has probably given Burd an understanding of what celebrities go through. "It shows you the power of an idea."
http://news.therecor.../article/357017
It was nice to give him the $10,000 prize and the $20,000 scholarship. I realize that $20,000 towards college goes a lot further in Canada than in the US.
Still, doesn't it seem somewhat insufficient reward for someone making such a big discovery?
Hey, thanks for unraveling the Human Genome! Please accept $5,000 in Bennigan's coupons!