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 Training at present 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 attainable when college students mix creativeness with scientific considering,” stated Dr. John Banovetz, chief expertise officer, 3M. “We’re proud to help a program that helps younger learners achieve 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 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.
Tips on how to enter
- To enter, college students in grades 5-8 submit a quick video explaining their authentic thought to resolve an on a regular basis downside utilizing science.
- Submissions are evaluated for his or her communication expertise, creativity, and scientific information.
- Classes embody robotics, house enchancment, automotive, security, AR/VR, and local weather expertise.
Subsequent steps
- Mentorship: In June 2026, 10 finalists will probably 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.
- Last occasion: Every finalist will then compete within the ultimate occasion on the 3M Innovation Heart in St. Paul, Minnesota, Oct. 12-14, 2026. This occasion will embody 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 vitality sources, vitality consumption, air air pollution, transportation effectivity, and lots 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 house, even at midnight. Kevin created an algorithm that analyzes video enter to determine falls and triggers alerts to family members by way of a wise cellphone software. His new resolution advances present choices available on the market via the power to seize imagery at evening and supply around-the-clock monitoring. The gadget can even detect irregular actions whereas the person is strolling, which may very well 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 Underneath 30 checklist, 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 Instances Journal, Forbes, and Enterprise Insider, and appeared on nationwide tv applications corresponding to 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 contains greater than 100 former problem finalists, winners, and mentors who participate in networking alternatives and extra.
“All throughout the US are highly effective younger minds with unimaginable concepts. The 3M Younger Scientist Problem gives center college college students an unparalleled alternative to show inventive concepts into world-changing options,” stated Catherine Dunlop, senior vice chairman of company partnerships at Discovery Training. “With a mix of innovation, mentorship, hands-on studying, and creation, this problem gives college students a singular alternative to deepen science expertise and make an influence on on a regular basis lives.”
To study extra in regards to 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 resolve robust buyer issues by leveraging numerous expertise platforms, differentiated capabilities, world footprint, and operational excellence. Uncover how 3M is shaping the long run 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 help tutorial achievement. By means of award-winning multimedia content material, educational helps, and progressive classroom instruments which are efficient, partaking, and simple to make use of, Discovery Training permits educators to ship highly effective studying experiences in 45% of U.S. Ok-12 colleges and throughout 100+ international locations and territories. By means of partnerships with districts, states, and trusted organizations, Discovery Training empowers academics 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 Training
E mail: gmaliska@discoveryed.com
