Ellis Planetarium honors Pink Hill Elementary student

Ellis Planetarium director Sarah Bartlett presents Pink Hill Elementary student Coleman Taylor with a trophy Tuesday during a presentation. Taylor won the planetarium’s inaugural Science Fair and will have his project on display for a year. Photo by Junious Smith III / Neuse News

Coleman Taylor made history in a place he knows well.

There was a celebration Tuesday at the Ellis Planetarium for the Pink Hill Elementary fourth-grader, who won the organization’s inaugural Science Fair. The project was called “All Jacked Up,” where Taylor tested his hypothesis of four-wheel drive being more efficient than two-wheel drive.

Taylor created model vehicles, getting them to move and carry weights. The project will be on display for a year in the Planetarium, a place Taylor has visited frequently with his parents.

“The thing I was most impressed with was the fact he built this without instructions,” Ryan Taylor, Coleman’s father, said. “This was created by his own imagination — he used K’Nex, the motor off another set and then the rubberbands for his four-wheel drive.

“It’s amazing what he’s created.”

Planetarium Director Sarah Bartlett presented Coleman Taylor with a trophy and a $200 cash prize. Bartlett said she enjoyed Taylor’s passion for the subject and his creativity.

“I’m so happy to have someone who not only has a love for science, but a connection with the park win,” Bartlett said. “It meant a lot and when I called the family, they were screaming because they were so excited to win. I’m also thankful for the community coming here and donating, which allows us to do things like this for the kids — we have to take care of the children.”

Taylor said he has plans to defend his new title next year.

“I might build a bigger truck with three axles and maybe an enclosed trailer,” Taylor said.