BY KELLY ROCHE

An Oakville teen is being honoured by the Ontario Science Centre for creating a tongue-controlled computer mouse for people with physical disabilities.

“To me, the best thing about science is knowing that my ideas can have an impact on a global scale,” 2016 Weston Youth Innovation Award winner Emma Mogus said in a statement.

The 17-year-old developed the Tongue-Interface-Communication (TiC) determined to create a gadget allowing anyone with physical impairments to communicate freely and effectively online.

The prototype is a $10 sports mouth guard with five switches, helping people with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis and other paralyzing conditions.

“The jury was inspired by Emma’s ingenuity, skill and dedication to developing an original solution for an issue that, in spite of many scientific advances, continues to affect many people,” Ontario Science Centre CEO and chief science officer Dr. Maurice Bitran said in a statement.

“We look forward to seeing what this young innovator will develop next to continue improving the world around her.”

Mogus will be awarded a $2,000 prize this fall and work with a multimedia team to create an animation to showcase TiC at the Science Centre.