Another Great Moment of Zero Tolerance

Sure looks like a hardened criminal

Honor student charged with felonies over Science Fair volcano

A 16-year-old girl was arrested and expelled from school after she demonstrating the traditional ‘erupting volcano’ in class as a science experiment. Even a year later, she is still being haunted by the multiple felonies she was charged with.

Kiera Wilmot’s volcano was designed to demonstrate a chemical reaction simulating a volcanic eruption. Inside her volcano prop, was an 8-ounce water bottle with some toilet bowl cleaner in it. When the cleaner is exposed to aluminum, it creates an exothermic chemical reaction.

Her experiment got her in serious trouble on April 29th, 2013.

“When I put the aluminum foil into the bottle, the lid popped off an a little bit of smoke climbed out of the bottle,” Kiera described.

No one was hurt. No damage was caused. No harm was done.
. . .
She was charged with possession/discharge of a weapon on school grounds, and discharging a destructive device, both felonies.

For the record, I made a science fair volcano back in the 7th grade.  However, it was the more conventional baking soda, vinegar and Red Dye #2 volcano and not the more exciting aluminum foil and tidy bowl version, and so, would probably only be charged as a misdemeanor in today's climate.

The good news is that that, in a moment of apparent common sense, the authorities have at least partially relented:

Although prosecutors eventually declined to pursue Kiera as a criminal, the charges themselves continue to taint Kiera’s record and impede her future success.

“All my charges have been dropped, but the lawyer says that it takes 5 years to clear each felony off the record,” Kiera said.