Do you have a middle school student that loves science? If so, your child is invited to enter the 3M Young Scientist Challenge, America’s premier middle school science competition.
3M Young Scientist Challenge
Students in grades 5-8 are invited to share an original idea that helps solve an everyday problem in their community. To enter the competition, your child will create a 1-2 minute video explaining the science behind their solution. Videos will be judged on creativity, scientific knowledge, and communication skills – not on the video production skills – so don’t worry, you can even have your child submit their video via their cell phone!
The winner of this competition will receive an exclusive mentorship with a 3M scientist to turn their idea into the REAL thing! Plus, a $25,000 grand prize and the title of America’s Top Young Scientist.
Does your child need a little inspiration? Previous challenge finalists worked to find solutions to a variety of real-world problems, including COVID-19, water conservation, food waste, alternative energy sources, cancer treatments, energy consumption, and transportation efficiency. The 2021 winner – 14-year-old Sarah Park from Jacksonville, Fla. – created Spark Care+, an innovation that personalizes music therapy treatment for mental health improvement using artificial intelligence (AI), skin response (GSR) and photoplethysmography (PPG).
3M Young Scientist Challenge Prizes
1st place gets $25,000 + A one-of-a-kind 2 day/1-night destination trip and Title of “America’s Top Young Scientist”
Two Runner-Up Prizes + A one-of-a-kind 2 day/1-night destination trip
Honorable Mention (up to 6 awarded): $500 excursion + 3M Innovation Prize PacksImproving Lives Award: A one-of-a-kind 2 day/1-night destination trip
Top 10 Finalists: $1,000 + Participation in a unique summer mentorship with a 3M scientistState Merit Winners (up to 51 awarded – one from each State and the District of Columbia): 3M Innovation Prize Packs
Enter 3M Young Scientist Challenge
Hurry! You must enter before May 16, 2022!! The 10 finalists will be chosen in June 2022. They will have the chance to work in an exclusive summer mentorship program where they will work with a 3M scientist. Plus, they are all invited to the live judging at the 3M Innovation Center in Minneapolis, MN on October 17-18, 2022 where the grand prize will be announced.
