BEAVERTON, Ore. -- Sometimes people just have a knack for things.
“I just like designing things,” said 13-year-old Owen Dufrene, an 8th grader at Stoller Middle School in Beaverton.
That love led Owen to an online competition headed up by Future Engineers, along with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and NASA.
“You use 3D software to make 3D printed things that go into space,” said Owen.
He is one of only four finalists in the country for his age group. This isn't unfamiliar territory for Owen.
“I'm happy I got it two times in a row. I'm impressed with myself really,” he said.
He should be. Owen spent a lot of time brainstorming ideas. The one he settled on involves two paddles and a ball that could be created by a 3D printer on board the International Space Station.
“We started thinking about games in space because boredom is a problem on long space flights,” he said.
Owen is up against three other finalists who are all from California.
He figured out how to use certain programs on his own.
“I used a lot of YouTube and you know, just it's experiment a little bit,” said Owen.
His mom said that to Owen, it's all fun and games. It’s a puzzle to be solved.
“Even from a young age he just would create science experiments to try to find solutions to things he would think about,” said Deann Dufrene.
“This is something he took on his own and ran with it. So it's even more impressive that this is something that he did,” she said.
For now, Owen, who wants to be an engineer or astronaut, has his sights set on first place. His video conference interview is this Friday. Regardless of the outcome, he’s got a bright future and getting his dream job shouldn't be all too hard.
If he gets first place, he will win a trip to Las Vegas to tour Bigelow Aerospace. As a finalist he’s already received a gift card to a company that prints 3D pieces. He’s also received an inflatable tent.