Episode 31: “A Dallas 7th‑Grader Achieves Nuclear Fusion”

Release Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026

In today’s episode of News Report with Aidan, Aidan shares the remarkable story of Aiden McMillan, a 12‑year‑old Dallas student who achieved nuclear fusion after a four‑year science project. The episode explains how he started studying nuclear physics at age 8, how he built multiple prototypes, and how he finally produced neutrons — the sign that fusion has occurred.

This episode also includes a Fusion 101 section to help kids understand what fusion is, how it works, and why scientists care about it.

What Kids Will Learn

Who Aiden McMillan is and how he achieved nuclear fusion

How long he studied and built prototypes

Why producing neutrons is important

What nuclear fusion is and how it differs from fission

Why fusion could be a clean energy source in the future

Episode Summary for Young Listeners

Dallas 7th‑grader Aiden McMillan achieved nuclear fusion after years of study and experimentation

He began learning nuclear physics at age 8

He built several prototypes and kept improving them

His machine produced neutrons, proving fusion happened

He may become the youngest person ever to achieve fusion

Fusion 101 explains how fusion works in simple, kid‑friendly language