If you did a science fair project as a kid, chances are it was something like a potato-powered clock, or a baking soda volcano. But a 14-year-old from Pittsburgh named Suvir Mirchandani might have actually done something useful.
As of 12:01 a.m. EST on Tuesday, the federal government closed down. Congressional leaders in the House of Representatives and the Senate were unable to reach an agreement on a budget or a temporary fix, known as a continuing resolution, before the start of the new fiscal year on October 1.