Deadline:
May 02, 2024
Location(s)
Online United States of America
St. Paul, Minnesota
Overview
The 3M Young Scientist Challenge gives students in grades 5–8 the chance to change their world for the better with a single innovative idea. This premier science competition is a one-of-a-kind project-based learning opportunity designed to spark creativity, collaboration, and connection for students from every background.
Details
The 3M Young Scientist Challenge is the nation’s premier science competition for grades 5-8. This one-of-a-kind video competition has sparked a sense of wonder and discovery in hundreds of thousands of students and enhanced science, innovation and communication across the United States.
When first launched by Discovery Communications in 1999, the Young Scientist Challenge had the same mission it does today: to foster a new generation of American scientists at an age when interest in science generally declines. In 2008, Discovery Education joined forces with 3M – one of the world’s most notable innovators – to cultivate the next generation of problem-solvers and give students the unique opportunity to work directly with 3M scientists.
Entry Topics
Many of the greatest innovations of our time were first designed to solve simple problems for which we didn’t even know we needed solutions. The 3M Young Scientist Challenge encourages young people to solve everyday problems using science and innovation – and we can’t wait to see what you dream up!
When you work in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) field, it is important to be curious about the world around you. You must use that curiosity and passion to find new solutions to existing problems. Your family, classmates, hobbies, or something you see on TV, YouTube or social media might inspire you to come up with the greatest innovation of your generation… you may find inspiration in the most unexpected places.
THE CHALLENGE: HOW CAN YOU IMPROVE LIVES FOR THE FUTURE?
The state of science around the world is very complex. However, many people are curious and hopeful that science will help make the world a better place for future generations. Your submission video for the 3M Young Scientist Challenge should show us how your innovation will Improve Lives for the Future.
In a 1-2 minute video, show us why you were inspired to solve your chosen problem, and how you developed a concept that uses science to improve the lives of future generations. You may find the 3M “Scientists as Storytellers” e-tool-kit helpful for some inspiration.
Your solution must be a new innovation or idea, and cannot simply be a new use for an existing product. The proposed innovation should fall under at least one of these categories:
- Improving Health
- Improving Safety
- Improving Mobility
- Improving the Environment
- Improving Energy Consumption
- Improving the Community
Important dates
Mark your calendar for these important upcoming dates.
- Challenge Opens: January 4, 2024
- Challenge Closes: May 2, 2024
- Finalist and State Merit Winner Announcements: June 2024
- Final Event: October 2024
- Winners Announced: October 2024
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
- The competition is open to all legal U.S. residents who are students enrolled in 5th through 8th grade at a public, private, parochial, or home school located in one of the fifty United States or the District of Columbia.
- In compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998, Parental/guardian consent is needed for any person under the age of 13 years to give personal information to a third party over the internet. In the case of our competition, each student's parent/guardian needs to grant consent for us to receive their entry.
- Students may not submit as pairs or in groups - only individual submissions will be accepted.
Dates
Deadline: May 02, 2024
Cost/funding for participants
Prizes
Take a quick peek at the incredible prizes you could win if you enter the Young Scientist Challenge.
Grand Prize Winner
- $25,000
- A one-of-a-kind 2 day/1-night destination trip
- 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
Improving 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 scientist
State Merit Winners (up to 51 awarded - one from each State and the District of Columbia)
- 3M Innovation Prize Packs
Honorable Mention (up to 4 awarded- one from each grade band)
- 3M Innovation Prize Packs
Wish this could be you? All you need to do is tell us about an innovative solution related to this year’s topics (in a 1-2 minute video) and YOU could take home tons of fun prizes and memories to last a lifetime.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
