Kevin Tang observed an issue. Yearly, tens of millions of individuals — particularly older adults — fall and get injured. Kevin determined to give you an answer. He invented a instrument to note these falls and get assist shortly. On October 14, the 13-year-old received the 3M Younger Scientist problem for his invention!
Kevin, an Eighth-grader at Cedarlane Academy in Hacienda Heights, California, received the concept when his grandmother fell and harm herself. She lay on the ground till somebody found her, by which era she had everlasting mind injury. That may have been prevented if somebody had known as for assist sooner. Kevin determined to make a instrument that will sense if somebody like his grandma fell so their family members might be alerted straight away.
The invention, known as FallGuard, goes on a wall in a room. It makes use of video and an algorithm that senses when somebody shortly goes from a standing place to mendacity down. The machine even works at the hours of darkness! Kevin did analysis on completely different actions to coach the instrument. He received it to note the distinction between secure actions — like reaching down for an object or bending over to take a seat — and falling. He received assist safely testing it on a mat. “My dad and mom would fall within the different room,” he instructed Information-O-Matic, “and I’d verify my laptop to see if it detected the autumn or not.”
Kevin despatched a video of his invention to the 3M Younger Scientist problem. In July, he was chosen as a finalist! Through the summer season of 2025, Kevin talked with a mentor from 3M named Mark Gilbertson. Kevin met Gilbertson nearly and stated the 3M engineer “helped me focus on my venture and a few doable subsequent steps for it.” For instance, Gilbertson labored with Kevin on including a characteristic to forestall falls!
In October 2025, Kevin and 9 different finalists from throughout the US went to 3M in St. Paul, Minnesota, for the ultimate occasion within the Younger Scientist contest. The center schoolers met one another — and received to satisfy the mentors in particular person. “It was actually enjoyable having so many individuals enthusiastic about science similar to me across the total time,” Kevin stated.
Through the two-day occasion, the finalists introduced their innovations to the competition’s judges. On October 14, officers from 3M introduced Kevin because the winner — awarding him a $25,000 money prize and the title of America’s Prime Younger Scientist! “It was actually thrilling, and I couldn’t imagine it,” Kevin stated about profitable. “I used to be shaking quite a bit in entrance of the stage once I went up, and it was simply actually comfortable and actually thrilling.”
This was Kevin’s first time coming into the 3M problem. However he has created different innovations, similar to Homework Alarm, an internet site that alerts youngsters to lacking assignments. At college, he participates within the robotics membership and likes math class greatest. Kevin stated the scholars at Cedarlane Academy had been “very supportive” and made a poster to congratulate him on his massive win!
The younger inventor has recommendation for teenagers taken with making their very own innovations. “If you begin on a venture that you just actually need to do,” he stated, “hold making an attempt to do your greatest on that venture.” He added:
“Even in the event you make errors or attain blocks, it is best to hold making an attempt, study from them, and repeat over and over till you get the factor you need.”
By Diana Richard
Up to date October 24, 2025, 5:00 P.M. (ET)
