The 3M Young Scientist Challenge is a national middle-school science competition in the United States that invites students to propose innovative solutions to real-world problems using science, engineering, and technology.
Future Forward Labs’ step-by-step overview simplifies the official application process.
- Open to Grades 5–8: U.S. students in grades 5–8 can enter.
- Entry Format: Students submit a 1–2 minute video explaining an innovative solution to a real-world problem.
- Parent Registration: A parent or guardian must register on the official Young Scientist Lab portal and upload a signed consent form.
- Submission: After consent is approved, the student completes their profile and uploads the video by the deadline (typically end of April). No physical prototype needs to be submitted.
- Prizes: Ten finalists each get $1,000 and a summer mentorship with a 3M scientist, and the Grand Prize winner (“America’s Top Young Scientist”) receives $25,000. Finalists are evaluated on creativity, scientific knowledge, communication, and overall presentation.
What Is the 3M Young Scientist Challenge?
The Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge is a national STEM competition for middle school students. 3M and Discovery Education launched the contest in 2008 to nurture the next generation of scientists. In this video-based science competition, students in grades 5–8 propose original solutions to everyday problems. Note: these need to be complete solutions, not just an idea.
According to 3M, it offers “the chance to change their world for the better with a single innovative idea”. The chosen 10 finalists work one-on-one with a 3M scientist mentor over the summer to further develop their ideas. The contest culminates in awarding the title “America’s Top Young Scientist”, along with cash prizes. 3M’s news site even calls it “the nation’s premier middle school science competition”, reflecting its high profile and substantial awards.
Why Is the 3M Young Scientist Challenge Considered a Major Science Competition?
This challenge is “premier” for middle schoolers because of its scale, prizes, and mentorship opportunities. It’s backed by a major corporation (3M) and education partner (Discovery Education) and draws entries nationwide.
Winners receive significant recognition and funding: for example, the Grand Prize is $25,000. Top 10 finalists each win $1,000 and a unique summer internship/mentorship with a 3M scientist. Because it emphasizes innovative STEM solutions and is run annually by industry leaders, it stands out among student science competitions.
How Does the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge Work?
The 3M Young Scientist Challenge follows a three-phase model:
- Registration: Parents/guardians register their child on the Young Scientist Lab website. They create an account and complete a profile for the student.
- Ideation: Students review the official “Entry Topics” (e.g., health, safety, energy, etc.) and brainstorm a unique solution to an everyday problem. This phase is self-guided but supported by resources and tip sheets.
- Submission: Students produce a 1–2 minute video that clearly explains their idea, its inspiration, the underlying science, and its future impact. No physical prototype or expensive equipment is required – even a smartphone video works. A challenge checklist helps ensure all elements are complete before final submission.
Videos are then judged using a published rubric: 30% creativity, 30% scientific knowledge, 20% communication effectiveness, and 20% overall presentation. All eligible submissions (one per student) received by the deadline are scored, and the top 10 scorers nationwide become Finalists. Those finalists compete in final events at 3M headquarters, where communication and presentation skills are tested as well. Ultimately, one student is named America’s Top Young Scientist.
Who Is Eligible for the 3M Young Scientist Challenge?
The contest is open to U.S. citizens or legal residents in grades 5–8 during the contest year. (Roughly ages 10–14.) Homeschooled students and those attending public or private schools are all welcome. Each student must have a parent or legal guardian register for them and provide consent. (The official rules also exclude children of 3M/Discovery employees, and only one entry per student is allowed.)
Because it targets middle schoolers, only middle school students can participate. As a guideline, students in 5th through 8th grade are eligible. If a student has just finished 8th grade by the deadline, they are still eligible that year, but 9th graders who entered as 8th graders would be ineligible the next year.
What Are the Eligibility Criteria for the 3M Young Scientist Challenge Award?
In practice, the key criteria are:
- Grade Level: In grades 5–8 during the contest year.
- Residency: Living in the United States of America.
- Consent: A signed parental/legal guardian consent form on file.
- Individual Entry: Only individual submissions (no teams).
- Originality: The entry video and idea must be original to the student.
Aside from these formal rules, the “eligibility” for winning focuses on the strength of the idea and video. In other words, even if a student qualifies, their submission must score well under the judging criteria (innovation, scientific validity, communication) to be in contention for awards.
Who Won the 3M Young Scientist Challenge?
Recent winners include:
- 2025:Kevin Tang (8th grader, Hacienda Heights, CA), for a smart fall-detection device. He won $25,000 and the title “America’s Top Young Scientist”.
- 2024:Sirish Subash (9th grade, Georgia) – he developed “Pestiscand,” an AI-based handheld pesticide detector.
- 2023:Heman Bekele (8th grader, Virginia) – invented a soap to treat skin cancer (and later was named TIME’s Kid of the Year).
- 2022:Leanne Fan (8th grader, San Diego, CA) – designed “Finsen Headphones” that use machine learning and phototherapy to treat ear infections.
Each year’s winner is, by definition, “America’s Top Young Scientist.” For 2025, that was Kevin Tang. The 2024 and 2023 winners are the top young scientists of those years (their names above).
In addition to these recent winners, some notable past champions include Anika Chebrolu (2020 Winner), recognized for COVID-19 antiviral research, and Gitanjali Rao (2017 Winner), known for her lead-detection device. (Both have since become notable young scientists.)
Overall, the 3M Challenge is different from a traditional science fair: it relies on a short video entry rather than a physical science board or demonstration. It also specifically targets middle-school students nationwide and offers a corporate-sponsored mentorship and large cash awards. By contrast, most science fairs award ribbons or small cash prizes, and winners advance to other competitions.
Is the 3M Young Scientist Challenge Different From Traditional Science Fairs?
Yes. In a traditional science fair, students typically design and conduct an experiment, build a project or prototype, and present their findings on a poster/display board. The 3M Young Scientist Challenge, however, requires no physical experiment or prototype. Students instead film a 1–2 minute video explaining their research and the science behind it. This means contestants do not need lab equipment – only creativity, research, and communication skills. Judges evaluate the student’s concept and explanation, not how polished the video is.
Do Olympiad Winners and Science Competition Winners Receive Similar Rewards?
Rewards vary by contest. For example, the 3M Challenge awards cash and mentorship (grand prize $25K, finalists $1K + mentorship). By contrast, academic Olympiads (like Science Olympiad or International Science Olympiads) typically give medals, trophies, or team scholarships, but not large cash prizes. Many science fairs and local competitions offer certificates, equipment, or college scholarships. In summary, there is no standard “reward”; each competition has its own prize structure. The 3M Challenge is notable for its sizeable cash awards and guaranteed internship experiences, which are larger than what most local fairs offer.
How Do You Apply to the 3M Young Scientist Challenge?
To apply, follow these steps (as outlined by Discovery Education):
- Check Eligibility: Make sure the student is in grades 5–8 and is a U.S. resident.
- Parent Registration (Online): Have a parent or legal guardian go to the Young Scientist Lab portal at YoungScientistLab.com. Click “Register for the Challenge”, then create a parent account.
- Create Student Profile: Enter the student’s name and information to set up a profile.
- Parental Consent Form: Download the official Parental Consent Form (the site calls it “Direct Notice to Parents”). The parent must sign it and then upload it back to the portal. Future Forward Labs’ step-by-step overview simplifies the official application process.
- Complete Additional Info: Provide any other required details (school info, etc.) and submit. The portal typically reviews the consent form in ~48 hours.
- Student Login: After approval, the student uses their portal login to complete the entry form.
- Video Production: Students develop their research into a 1–2 minute video. The video must describe the problem, the innovative solution, and the science behind it. (No prototype is needed, just the science research project explained clearly.)
- Submit Video: Upload the video file through the online portal before the deadline (usually end of April). Ensure all entry fields are filled and the video meets the criteria.
In summary, registration and consent are done first, then the student can finalize their entry on the portal. This process is official and mandatory, though resources like Future Forward Labs and the Young Scientist Lab FAQs can help clarify each step.
Where Can Students Register for the 3M Young Scientist Challenge?
Students do not register directly; registration is handled by a parent or guardian. The parent must register on the 3M Young Scientist Challenge application portal via the Discovery Education Young Scientist Lab website. In practice, the parent visits http://www.youngscientistlab.com and clicks “Register for the Challenge”. They are then directed to their web portal where they create an account and profile. All entry and submission happens through this official portal.
How Do Students Submit a Project to the 3M Young Scientist Challenge?
Students submit their project by uploading the video entry on the Young Scientist Lab portal. After the parent’s account and consent are in order, the student logs into the same portal, fills out the entry form, and uploads the 1–2 minute video file. This is the official submission. The Science Olympiad’s summary notes: “Upload a short video for a chance to compete…” – meaning the video must be submitted online to enter. No mailing or emailing is needed. Everything is done digitally through the portal before the deadline.
How Did the 3M Young Scientist Challenge Become a National Competition?
From the start, the Challenge was set up as a national contest by its sponsors. 3M (a multinational technology company) and Discovery Education (a national K-12 content provider) structured the contest to accept entries from across the country. Because 3M and Discovery have nationwide reach, they market and run the contest at a national level. Local and state science fairs often serve as feeder programs, but the 3M Challenge itself has always operated as a national online competition.
Which Company Sponsors the 3M Young Scientist Challenge and Why?
The contest is primarily sponsored by 3M Company, in partnership with Discovery Education. 3M is known for innovation and research, so supporting young scientists aligns with its mission. The company explicitly states that the Challenge is “designed to help nurture the next generation of scientists”.
By offering mentorship and prizes, 3M aims to inspire students and give them exposure to real R&D culture. Discovery Education, as an educational nonprofit, brings curriculum and outreach support. In short, 3M sponsors the contest to foster scientific talent and encourage “the power of science to create positive impact” in communities.
FAQ
- What is the best science fair mentorship program for college admissions?
There is no single “best” program identified in public sources. Many students benefit from working with experienced STEM research mentors. For example, Seattle offers strong STEM mentorship programs where students get paired with science research mentors to guide their projects. Future Forward Labs provides 3M Young Scientist Challenge mentorship and guided project development. However, official sources don’t rank these programs or link them to college admissions. In general, successful participants often engage in science research mentorship and competitions – which can strengthen a college resume – but choosing a program depends on a student’s needs. - How do I maximize my chances of winning the 3M Young Scientist Challenge?
Focus on a creative, well-researched idea and clear communication. Judges look for innovative solutions to real problems, backed by correct scientific reasoning. Make sure your video explains what the problem is, how your invention solves it, and why it matters. Practice speaking confidently on camera, since judges value effective communication. They also note passion and understanding – a strong entry often shows thorough research into the topic. In other words, pick an engaging topic you care about, back it up with solid science, and present it clearly. (As a bonus tip, review past winners’ videos and common feedback: clarity and simplicity are key.) - How can a middle school student excel in science fairs?
The principles are similar to winning any science competition. Choose a project topic that genuinely interests you and impacts your community or school. Do thorough background research so you understand the science fully. Formulate a clear, testable hypothesis and keep detailed notes. Prepare a compelling presentation: organize your findings logically, use visuals effectively, and explain results in simple terms. Practice describing your project out loud and anticipate questions (judges often ask you to explain your methods and conclusions). According to science fair guides, a neat display board and confident oral presentation make a good impression. In summary, deep research + clear communication + polished presentation are the keys. - Does science research mentorship help with Top-20 college admissions?
Strong science projects and research experience can enhance a college application, but our sources don’t directly link mentorship programs to admissions outcomes. Elite colleges often value initiative in STEM, so working with mentors (for example, participating in programs offering STEM research mentors) can help develop high-quality projects. However, there’s no citation available that ties a specific “science mentorship program” to T20 admissions success. It’s generally advised to focus on genuine learning and achievement rather than any particular program name. - How does Future Forward Labs compare to other science mentorship programs?
No independent sources were found that directly compare Future Forward Labs to other mentorship organizations. In general terms, Future Forward Labs offers personalized STEM mentorship and guided project development for middle school competitions like the 3M YSC. Its Seattle-based program pairs students with expert mentors to review projects and simulate judging. Other programs may have different focuses (e.g. broader K–12 counseling or college consulting). We did not find external data on competitors.
