14-Year-Old Student Builds An Atomic Bomb As A Science Project

As North Korea’s nuclear program is drawing a lot of attention and causing tension among the world’s superpowers, a teenager from Concord in New Hampshire has created 45-kiloton atomic bomb for her school’s science fair.

Reports hold that 14-year old Kathryn Simmons is one of the 137 students who were participating this week, in this year’s New Hampshire State Junior Science Fair.
Daughter of a Marine Captain and an aeronautic engineer, she decided to present a complete A-bomb as her project in order to “show people that these things aren’t so dangerous”.

14-year old Kathryn Simmons says, “Atomic bombs haven’t killed nearly as many people as cars or cigarettes, yet people have strong prejudices against them.” 
According to her, building a bomb is hardly more complicated and dangerous than building a dishwasher.
In her own words, she further says, “My parents helped me a little bit, but I did most of the work. I worked over 200 hours on it, but it’s complete and functional.”
She hopes that her bomb will show people that atomic bombs are “simple machines like any others” and help the public be less afraid of nuclear weapons.

Despite numerous critics from parents and teachers alike, Kathryn Simmons’ project earned the first place in the New Hampshire State Science Fair.
Her A-bomb will now be presented during the National Junior Science Fair, which will be held in Denver, in January.
A few organizations, including Greenpeace, have announced their intentions to disturb the event if her “weapon” is exhibited.
Despite these threats, Kathryn says she’s determined to “be in Denver and win.”
This isn’t the first time that a controversial school project stirs a controversy in the United States.
In 2011, a 15-year old student from Alabama was expelled from school after projecting to clone himself.