Kasey Rivers’ solution to a growing national security threat operates by remote control and can fit inside a medium-size hat box.

Her metal-detecting robot was the clear winner in the science fair portion of an event that showcased science, art, music, and more Feb. 25 at Triad Baptist Christian Academy.

Known as the TBCA STEAM Night for science, technology, engineering, art, and music, the display at Triad Baptist Church’s Worship Center/Gym represented the combined talents of art teacher Lisa Richter, science teacher Jennifer Locklear, music teacher Holly Wilcox, and their students.

Richter first launched the event years ago to showcase students’ artistic talents for parents and the community.

However, like Triad Baptist Christian Academy’s facilities, faculty, and student body itself, it soon grew to showcase other subjects and this year occupied much of a gym floor.

“It keeps getting bigger and better,” Donna Mannon, the Academy’s director of education, said of STEAM Night. “This year, every child in fourth through 11th grade participated.”

An 11th grader at TBCA and member of Triad Baptist Church’s Radiate high school ministry, Rivers decided to build a robot about hearing of airport-security breaches and dangers posed by landmines to U.S. troops.

Those reports included the news that Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents confiscated a record 2,653 guns from carry-on baggage in 2015 — a 20 percent increase from 2014, and the most ever. And the agency said more than 80 percent of those guns found in 236 airports across the country were loaded.

Last June, the Department of Homeland Security reassigned the TSA’s acting director after another news report that its undercover teams got banned items through the screening process in 67 of the 70 tests conducted at U.S. airports.

For U.S. troops fighting terrorists across the globe, improvised explosive devices remain a leading occupational hazard.

“I chose to build a metal-detecting robot to hopefully be used to increase airport security and to detect landmines and other explosives in the military,” Rivers said. “Hopefully with the metal-detecting robot, those doing the screening can sense the weapons and explosives in bags when passengers walk by or that are hidden in other locations before they hurt anyone.”

Rivers first researched robotics before assembling her machine, and used a robotic kit to streamline the process. Her cousin helped with the soldering and electrical work.

The machine works by using an AM radio transmitter to detect the radio waves given off by metal objects — electronic ‘hits’ the produce beeps operators can hear. Since the device works via remote control, it reduces the danger to the operator who can be several feet away.

“I learned that robotics can be pretty difficult but I think my experience showed that even kids my age can use advanced technologies,” Rivers said. “STEAM Night is a great experience because it gets people to think about science and technology and art and gives them experience that will make them more open about doing another project in the future.”

Despite her winning robot, Rivers considers English her favorite subject. Her current career plans are to go to college, earn a teaching degree, and teach either middle school English and science or high school English.