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 this time 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 pondering,” mentioned 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 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 prospect 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.
The best way to enter
- To enter, college students in grades 5-8 submit a short video explaining their unique concept to unravel an on a regular basis downside utilizing science.
- Submissions are evaluated for his or her communication expertise, creativity, and scientific information.
- Classes embrace robotics, residence 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 time mentorship program, throughout which they’ll work carefully with and be taught from a 3M scientist.
- Remaining 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, shows, 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 power sources, power 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 machine that may speed up emergency responses to falls amongst older adults at residence, even at nighttime. Kevin created an algorithm that analyzes video enter to establish falls and triggers alerts to family members through a sensible telephone software. His new answer advances present choices in the marketplace by way of the flexibility to seize imagery at night time and supply around-the-clock monitoring. The machine can even detect irregular actions whereas the person is strolling, which might 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 assume creatively and apply the facility 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 Truthful. 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 packages akin 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 the US are highly effective younger minds with unbelievable concepts. The 3M Younger Scientist Problem affords center college college students an unparalleled alternative to show inventive concepts into world-changing options,” mentioned Catherine Dunlop, senior vp of company partnerships at Discovery Training. “With a mix of innovation, mentorship, hands-on studying, and creation, this problem affords college students a novel alternative to deepen science expertise and make an influence on on a regular basis lives.”
To be taught 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 all over the world by making use of science and creating progressive, customer-focused options. Our multi-disciplinary crew is working to unravel powerful 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 interact all college students and help educational achievement. By way of award-winning multimedia content material, tutorial helps, and progressive classroom instruments which can be efficient, partaking, and simple to make use of, Discovery Training allows educators to ship highly effective studying experiences in 45% of U.S. Okay-12 colleges and throughout 100+ nations and territories. By way 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
