Nuclear reactor in Garage

| A Wyoming high school senior who built a nuclear reactor in his garage was disqualified from the International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix last month on a technicality.

It seems that Conrad Farnsworth, 18, of Newcastle had competed in too many science fairs.

According to the Casper Star-Tribune , students are only allowed to compete in one qualifying regional fair, and then another bigger qualifying fair, such as a state fair.

Teenage kicks: Conrad Farnsworth, 18, demonstrates the fusion reactor he hand-built in his garage in Newcastle, Wyoming. In May he was disqualified from an international science fair on a technicality

Students at Farnsworth's Newcastle High School first attended Wyoming State Science Fair at the University of Wyoming, then the South Dakota School of Mines regional fair in Rapid City.

None of Farnsworth's teachers knew this order would be a problem.

But the Star-Tribune reports that the infraction was reported by the former director of the Wyoming State Science Fair, who later did not have her contract renewed.

Officials at the University of Wyoming, which sponsors the state event, said after the international fair that the director acted outside her authority.

Fun: The teenager is well known for his love and enthusiasm for science and experimentation

The newspaper reports Farnsworth is one of only about 15 high school students in the world to successfully build a nuclear fusion reactor. He built it by hand in his garage at home.

Farnsworth had long hoped to attend the international fair. He said: 'It's frustrating having four years to get to a single point go down the drain.'

'And it's silly, ' he continued. 'It's a science fair. Seriously, aren't they supposed to be promoting science and not bureaucracy?'

The teenager is well known for his love and enthusiasm for science and experimentation.

Experimental: At 3 Conrad Farnsworth took apart a sofa, at 6 he nearly started a fire by putting a antennae in a wall socket

The Star-Tribune reports that at 3 he disassemble his mother’s sofa recliner with a screwdriver.

At 6, he put a remote control wire into a wall socket and started a fire. At 13 he made an acid bomb in a garbage can.

Throughout his life Farnsworth has worked on an amazing array of science projects, including 3-D printing, an electric glowing tie for homecoming, brewing root beer and keeping fish.