so she's either really smart or just a complete show-off.

From Salinas, California,

please welcome three-year-old Brielle and her mom, Carrie.

Hi, Brielle. - Hi.

- I kept seeing you in the hallway out there.

Did you see me in the hallway? - Yes.

- And then I ran away. Yeah.

Okay, so you're three years old,

and you know the whole Period Table.

How did you learn?

When did you start learning all that?

- Uh... - How old were you?

- Three years old. - You're three years old now.

When did she start getting interested in this?

- We actually got flash cards for her in April.

- Uh-huh, in April? - So, it's been about--yeah.

It's been about six months or so.

- And-- - Yeah, we hardly ever

spend time doing it. She can learn just so quickly.

- Can--can you read?

- No, not yet, but I'm sounding out words.

[applause] - Yeah.

- Me too.

[laughter]

What else do you like to learn about?

- I know all my states and capitals.

- All your states and capitals.

- And I also...know...

the Periodic Table of Elements.

- Yes.

- And...

I know all my countries in Europe and Africa.

And also the presidents.

- You're making me feel bad about myself.

[laughter]

Wow, and the presidents, too.

Who's your favorite president?

- Barack Obama because...

[applause]

He was president when I was born.

- He was president when you were born.

Yes.

I have shoes that are older than you.

But...okay.

So here-- I'm gonna show you some,

and you're gonna tell us what this is.

What is that? - Geranium.

- Geranium.

Um...what is this?

- K, potassium.

- K, potassium. You want to tell me some facts

about that? - Yes.

It's in bananas.

- Found in bananas.

- And that's why bananas also helps our nose function.

That means it sends our brain information to our muscles.

- Wow.

[applause]

You must eat lots of bananas.

And this is?

- Iodine. - Iodine.

- It kills bacteria.

- Yes, it does kill bacteria.

And this is?

- Chlorine. - Chlorine.

And this is?

- Strontium.

It's in fireworks to make them loud.

And it also used in dark paints.

- What is strontium? What is it?

- Strontium.

- Sorry. Um...

[laughter]

What is this?

- Phosphorus. - Phosphorus.

They all look alike to me.

I don't know what-- and what is phosphorus?

Tell me about that.

- It's a chameleon.

- It is a chameleon. Why is that?

- That means it can be different colors.

- That's right. - Black or white.

When it's white, it's least stable,

and also burns under water.

- It burns under water?

- Isn't that crazy?

[laughter and applause]

- It is crazy.

It is crazy.

And this is?

- Tantalum.

[indistinct]

And if you have a map, I can show you.

- I still wouldn't know what...

How do you remember-- you're three years old.

How do you remember all this?

- My new brain just remembers.

[laughter and applause]

- Your little brain just remembers?

I think it's a big brain.

I think it's a big brain remembered all kinds of things.

That's amazing. Okay.

Before we go, you named your dog one of the elements, right?

- Yes. - What did you name your dog?

- Nici. - Nici? Short for what?

- Because it's one of my elements.

- And which element is that?

- The right to say it is Copernicium.

- But Nici is short for that?

- Yes. - Okay.

[laughter]

All right, so you love to study,

and your favorite color is purple, right?

- Yes. - I'm just guessing

because of your dress, but I actually knew that,

so I got you something, okay?

Let's bring it out.

All right, you have a little station.

Come on over here.

- Go with Ellen. Go.

- Come on.

[applause]

- Oh, my goodness.

Brielle.

- It's a little station that you can study.

You have a desk, and you have--

everything is purple on there. Isn't that nice?

- Yes. - And there's all kinds of books

that you can probably read tonight, and...

- Thank you. [laughter]