A national science organization honored a Blacksburg middle schooler for a technical study of mountain biking titled, “Bro, does weight even matter?”
Isaac Strom’s answer was yes — if racing. The 14-year-old youngster conducted a series of experiments at the McDonald Hollow trail system outside Blacksburg to gauge the effect of bike weight on mountain biker performance. Isaac found that an extra 1.5 kilograms, or a little more than three pounds, slowed progress when carried on the wheels over a long distance at race pace.
“Added weight did have a time penalty. However, it is more effective to train if you want to be faster,” the younger wrote in a project summary.
The Society of Science, publisher of Science News magazine and a devotee to science literacy and STEM education, recently designated Isaac one of 300 scholars in its Junior Innovators Challenge. The competition is open to local science fair standouts in grades six through eight. It is named after title sponsor and Massachusetts technology giant Thermo Fisher Scientific.
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Isaac, who is home schooled and competed in the Blue Ridge Highlands Regional Science Fair, received a prize package that includes $125, the society said.
Jeff Sturgeon (540) 981-3251
jeff.sturgeon@roanoke.com
