Finalists will obtain one-to-one mentorship with a 3M scientist, nationwide recognition, and an opportunity to win high prize: $25,000 and title of “America’s Prime Younger Scientist”
St. Paul, Minn. and Charlotte, NC. (Jan. 21, 2026) – 3M (@3M) and Discovery Schooling right now 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 expertise officer, 3M. “We’re proud to help a program that helps younger learners acquire confidence, discover new prospects, 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 resolve 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 Prime Younger Scientist.”
- The competition will identify 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.
How one can enter
- To enter, college students in grades 5-8 submit a quick video explaining their unique thought to resolve an on a regular basis drawback utilizing science.
- Submissions are evaluated for his or her communication abilities, creativity, and scientific data.
- Classes embrace robotics, dwelling enchancment, automotive, security, AR/VR, and local weather expertise.
Subsequent steps
- Mentorship: In June 2026, 10 finalists shall be chosen to take part in an unique summer season mentorship program, throughout which they’ll work intently with and be taught from a 3M scientist.
- Last occasion: Every finalist will then compete within the last occasion on the 3M Innovation Middle in St. Paul, Minnesota, Oct. 12-14, 2026. This occasion will embrace hands-on challenges, displays, reside 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 vitality sources, vitality 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 system 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 determine falls and triggers alerts to family members by way of a sensible telephone software. His new answer advances present choices available on the market by the power to seize imagery at evening and supply around-the-clock monitoring. The system may detect irregular actions whereas the person is strolling, which could possibly be a symptom of a stroke.
Now in its 19th yr, the 3M Younger Scientist Challengecontinues to encourage and problem center college college students to suppose creatively and apply the ability of STEM to find real-world options. America’s Prime Younger Scientists have given TED Talks, filed patents, based nonprofits, made the Forbes 30 Beneath 30 record, and exhibited on the White Home Science Honest. These younger innovators have additionally been named TIME Journal’s first Child of the Yr, featured in The New York Occasions Journal, Forbes, and Enterprise Insider, and appeared on nationwide tv applications reminiscent of Good Morning America, The Kelly Clarkson Present, and extra. As well as, a 3M Younger Scientist Problem Alumni Community was shaped in fall 2022 and consists of 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 artistic concepts into world-changing options,” mentioned Catherine Dunlop, senior vp of company partnerships at Discovery Schooling. “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 be taught extra concerning the 3M Younger Scientist Problem, together with entry particulars, and to search out supporting sources, go to YoungScientistLab.com.
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About 3M
3M (NYSE: MMM) is concentrated on reworking industries around the globe by making use of science and creating progressive, customer-focused options. Our multi-disciplinary staff is working to resolve powerful buyer issues by leveraging numerous expertise platforms, differentiated capabilities, world footprint, and operational excellence. Uncover how 3M is shaping the longer term at 3M.com/information.
About Discovery Schooling
Discovery Schooling is the worldwide edtech chief whose state-of-the-art, PreK-12 digital options assist educators have interaction all college students and help tutorial achievement. Via award-winning multimedia content material, tutorial helps, and progressive classroom instruments which are efficient, participating, and straightforward to make use of, Discovery Schooling permits educators to ship highly effective studying experiences in 45% of U.S. Okay-12 colleges and throughout 100+ nations and territories. Via partnerships with districts, states, and trusted organizations, Discovery Schooling empowers lecturers with important options that encourage curiosity, construct confidence, and speed up studying. Be taught extra at www.discoveryeducation.com.
Contact
E-mail: 3MNews@mmm.com
Grace Maliska
Discovery Schooling
E-mail: gmaliska@discoveryed.com
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