Science, says Elm Grove teenager Liam McCarty, "isn’t static." McCarty may be poised to make his own contributions to the changing world of science after winning a recent nationwide competition. His championship entry was a system of Velcro-like strips to temporarily close deep wounds when stitches cannot be used.

His innovation could prove useful on the battlefield or in the outdoors. "There’s never a shortage of people injuring themselves or needing medical help," Liam says.

To enter the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, he submitted a two-minute home video about wind-resistant building construction. Ten middle-schoolers were selected to compete in a series of live science challenges, and Liam emerged with the grand prize of $50,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds.

"The best thing about winning was the opportunity to work with some of the best scientists in the world and nine other top kids," says Liam, now a freshman at Brookfield Academy.

Golf and tennis are among Liam’s other interests. He also plays violin with the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, and notes that Einstein and other geniuses have been musicians.

"I think there’s a huge mathematical component to music that really appeals to these type of people," he says.