Finalists will obtain one-to-one mentorship with a 3M scientist, nationwide recognition, and an opportunity to win prime prize: $25,000 and title of “America’s High Younger Scientist”
St. Paul, Minn. and Charlotte, NC. (Jan. 21, 2026) – 3M (@3M) and Discovery Training right this moment introduced that the 2026 3M Younger Scientist Problem (#YoungScientist) is now open to entries. The annual 3M Younger Scientist Problem is the nation’s premier center college science competitors.
“Yearly, the 3M Younger Scientist Problem showcases what’s doable when college students mix creativeness with scientific considering,” mentioned Dr. John Banovetz, chief know-how officer, 3M. “We’re proud to assist a program that helps younger learners acquire confidence, discover new potentialities, and picture a brighter future.”
Problem particulars
- The 3M Younger Scientist Problem invitations college students in grades 5-8 to make use of science to unravel on a regular basis issues and enhance the world round them.
- College students compete for an unique mentorship with a 3M scientist, a $25,000 grand prize, and the possibility to earn the title of “America’s High Younger Scientist.”
- The competition will title 10 finalists, 4 honorable mentions, and as much as 51state benefit winners nationwide and in Washington, D.C.
- Competitors entries are accepted at YoungScientistLab.com till the deadline on April 30, 2026.
enter
- To enter, college students in grades 5-8 submit a quick video explaining their authentic concept to unravel an on a regular basis downside utilizing science.
- Submissions are evaluated for his or her communication abilities, creativity, and scientific information.
- Classes embrace robotics, dwelling enchancment, automotive, security, AR/VR, and local weather know-how.
Subsequent steps
- Mentorship: In June 2026, 10 finalists might be chosen to take part in an unique summer season mentorship program, throughout which they may work intently with and study from a 3M scientist.
- Closing occasion: Every finalist will then compete within the last occasion on the 3M Innovation Heart in St. Paul, Minnesota, Oct. 12-14, 2026. This occasion will embrace hands-on challenges, displays, dwell judging, and the grand prize winner announcement.
Earlier winners
- Earlier problem finalists and 3M scientists have collaborated to create options for all kinds of real-world issues, together with meals security, cybersecurity, coral reef well being, water conservation, different power sources, power consumption, air air pollution, transportation effectivity, and plenty of extra.
- The 2025 winner – 13-year-old Kevin Tang from Hacienda Heights, California – created a novel fall detection gadget that may speed up emergency responses to falls amongst older adults at dwelling, even at nighttime. Kevin created an algorithm that analyzes video enter to establish falls and triggers alerts to family members through a wise telephone utility. His new answer advances present choices available on the market via the power to seize imagery at night time and supply around-the-clock monitoring. The gadget can even detect irregular actions whereas the person is strolling, which might be a symptom of a stroke.
Now in its 19th 12 months, the 3M Younger Scientist Challengecontinues to encourage and problem center college college students to assume creatively and apply the ability of STEM to find real-world options. America’s High Younger Scientists have given TED Talks, filed patents, based nonprofits, made the Forbes 30 Below 30 record, and exhibited on the White Home Science Truthful. These younger innovators have additionally been named TIME Journal’s first Child of the 12 months, featured in The New York Instances Journal, Forbes, and Enterprise Insider, and appeared on nationwide tv packages equivalent to Good Morning America, The Kelly Clarkson Present, and extra. As well as, a 3M Younger Scientist Problem Alumni Community was fashioned in fall 2022 and contains greater than 100 former problem finalists, winners, and mentors who participate in networking alternatives and extra.
“All throughout america are highly effective younger minds with unimaginable concepts. The 3M Younger Scientist Problem provides center college college students an unparalleled alternative to show inventive concepts into world-changing options,” mentioned Catherine Dunlop, senior vice chairman of company partnerships at Discovery Training. “With a mix of innovation, mentorship, hands-on studying, and creation, this problem provides college students a novel alternative to deepen science abilities and make an affect on on a regular basis lives.”
To study extra concerning the 3M Younger Scientist Problem, together with entry particulars, and to seek out supporting assets, go to YoungScientistLab.com.
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About 3M
3M (NYSE: MMM) is concentrated on reworking industries world wide by making use of science and creating progressive, customer-focused options. Our multi-disciplinary group is working to unravel robust buyer issues by leveraging numerous know-how platforms, differentiated capabilities, world footprint, and operational excellence. Uncover how 3M is shaping the longer term at 3M.com/information.
About Discovery Training
Discovery Training is the worldwide edtech chief whose state-of-the-art, PreK-12 digital options assist educators have interaction all college students and assist educational achievement. By way of award-winning multimedia content material, educational helps, and progressive classroom instruments which might be efficient, participating, and simple to make use of, Discovery Training allows educators to ship highly effective studying experiences in 45% of U.S. Ok-12 colleges and throughout 100+ international locations and territories. By way of partnerships with districts, states, and trusted organizations, Discovery Training empowers lecturers with important options that encourage curiosity, construct confidence, and speed up studying. Be taught extra at www.discoveryeducation.com.
Contact
Electronic mail: 3MNews@mmm.com
Grace Maliska
Discovery Training
Electronic mail: gmaliska@discoveryed.com
