PAUL, Minn. and SILVER SPRING, Md. (Thursday, February 4, 2021) – 3M and Discovery Education are excited to announce that the 2021 3M Young Scientist Challenge (#YoungScientist) is now open to entries. As the nation’s premier middle school science competition, the annual 3M Young Scientist Challenge invites students in grades 5-8 to compete for an exclusive mentorship with a 3M scientist, a $25,000 grand prize, and the chance to earn the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.” Competition entries are accepted at YoungScientistLab.com until the April 27, 2021 deadline.

Each year, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge recognizes the grand prize winner, 10 finalists, the Improving Lives Award winner, and up to 51 state merit winners nationwide who have demonstrated a passion for solving everyday problems to improve the world around them.

To enter, students in grades 5-8 need an original idea that helps solve an everyday problem in their community. They are invited to submit their solution in the form of a one to two-minute video explaining the science behind it. A diverse group of judges will evaluate entries based on creativity, scientific knowledge, and effective communication skills. Videos will not be judged on production skills and may be recorded on cell phones or basic digital cameras.

Previous challenge finalists have collaborated with 3M scientists to create solutions to a wide variety of real-world problems, including water conservation, food waste, alternative energy sources, cancer treatments, energy consumption, and transportation efficiency. The 2020 winner, 14-year-old Anika Chebrolu, found a molecule that can selectively bind to the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which may help support work to find a cure for COVID-19.

In June 2021, 10 finalists will be chosen to participate in an exclusive summer mentorship program where they will work closely with and learn from a 3M scientist. Each finalist receives the opportunity to compete in the final event – an interactive competition comprised of hands-on challenges, presentations, live judging, and more. At the final event, to be held on October 18-19, the grand prize winner and the Improving Lives Award winner will be announced.

“At 3M, using science to solve the world’s toughest challenges is at the core of everything we do. For 14 years, and especially now, in the midst of an ongoing global pandemic, we have been incredibly proud to see what happens when young people are inspired to combine their individual passions with STEM learning – the world of possibilities that opens to them is endless,” said Denise Rutherford, senior vice president of Corporate Affairs at 3M. “The 3M Young Scientist Challenge encourages STEM exploration in students at all levels and continues to demonstrate that any idea, big or small, can help change the world for the better. We are enthusiastic to see this year’s entries and are sure to be inspired.”

In its 14^th year, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge continues to inspire and challenge middle school students to think creatively and apply the power of STEM to real-world solutions. Hundreds of young scientists have had the opportunity to share their innovations through the 3M Young Scientist Challenge and past winners have gone on to be named TIME’s first ever “Kid of the Year”, give TED Talks, file patents, found nonprofits, named on Forbes 30 Under 30 list, ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange, and exhibit at the White House Science Fair. These young innovators have also been featured in The New York Times Magazine, Forbes, Business Insider and on national television programs such as Good Morning America, CNN’s Cuomo Prime Time, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and more. Learn more and meet all past finalists at YoungScientistLab.com.

“There’s simply nothing like the 3M Young Scientist Challenge – a place where students come together to solve global problems in the quest to make the world a better place,” said Lori McFarling, President of Corporate & Community Partnerships at Discovery Education. “The 3M Young Scientist Challenge pairs today’s students with real-world scientist mentors to help them bring their STEM vision to life. We’re excited to welcome this year’s young scientists and can’t wait to see where their innovation takes us.”

The award-winning 3M Young Scientist Challenge supplements the 3M and Discovery Education program – Young Scientist Lab – which provides no-cost, dynamic digital resources for students, teachers and families to explore, transform, and innovate the world around them. All resources are available through YoungScientistLab.com. Additional digital resources, content and professional resources are available at www.3M.com/scienceathome, featuring 3M scientists  and guests performing simple, at home experiments for kids aged 6-12, and via the Corporate Education Partnerships Channel on Discovery Education’s award-winning, flexible K-12 learning platform, a digital service featuring high-quality resources and instructional supports for educators enriching student learning and extending it to the real world.

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About 3M
At 3M, we apply science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily as our employees connect with customers all around the world. Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to global challenges at www.3m.com or on Twitter @3M or @3MNews.

About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-aligned digital curriculum resources, engaging content, and professional learning for K-12 classrooms. Through its award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia resources, and the largest professional learning network of its kind, Discovery Education is transforming teaching and learning, creating immersive STEM experiences, and improving academic achievement around the globe. Discovery Education currently serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 140 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Discovery, Inc., Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and like-minded organizations to empower teachers with customized solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

Contacts
Robert Brittain | 3M | rbrittain@mmm.com
Grace Maliska | Discovery Education | gmaliska@discoveryed.com
Rainah Chang-Faulk | Ketchum | rainah.chang-faulk@ketchum.com

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