Young Scientist Challenge opens

Discovery Education and 3M announce the 2011 call for entries for the 13th annual Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge for students in grades 5th through 8th. Ten finalists will be selected to receive an all-expense paid trip to the 3M Innovation Center in St. Paul, Minn. to compete in the final challenge in October, 2011. The winner will receive $25,000 and the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.”

Middle school students residing in the United States are asked to create a one to two-minute video communicating the science behind a possible solution for an everyday problem related to one of the following categories:

--The Way We Move

--The Way We Keep Ourselves Healthy

--The Way We Make a Difference

For additional information on the video topics, click here.

New to this year’s competition, each of the ten finalists will have an exclusive opportunity to work directly with a 3M scientist during a summer mentorship program where each finalist will be challenged to create an innovation that solves a problem in society. As part of the mentorship, the students will virtually meet with their mentor and will receive resources and support provided by 3M and Discovery Education.