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3M Young Scientist Challenge Names 10 Finalists for 2026 National Competition
3M Young Scientist Challenge Names 10 Finalists for 2026 National
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Students aged 11 to 14 recognized for innovative robotics, safety and climate solutions; earn chance at title of "America's Top Young Scientist"ST. PAUL, Minn. & CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- 3M and Discovery Education today announced the 10 finalists in the 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge, the nation's premier middle school science competition. Now in its 19th year, the annual challenge invites students in fifth through eighth grade to think creatively and apply the power of STEM to develop real-world solutions.Each of the 10 finalists receive an exclusive mentorship with a 3M scientist and at the final event in October, they have the chance to win a $25,000 grand prize and the title of "America's Top Young Scientist." They will work alongside their 3M scientist mentors throughout the summer to gain hands-on experience that will advance the development of their solution. The top 10 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge finalists are as follows (in alphabetical order by last name):Ahmed Abdelsalam, Cambridge, Mass., Darby Vassall Upper School, Cambridge Public SchoolsAaisha Asif, Sarasota, Fla., Pine View, Sarasota County SchoolsRaji Doshi, Farmington, Conn., Talcott Mountain Academy, Private SchoolAiden Jo, Houston, Texas, The Village School, Houston Independent School DistrictRoy Kim, Beaverton, Ore., Whitford Middle School, Beaverton School DistrictArika Kundu, Shorewood, Minn., Minnetonka Middle School East, Minnetonka Public SchoolsSharvi Mahajan, San Diego, Calif., Bernardo Heights Middle School, Poway Unified School DistrictMillie Pradawong, Fairfax, Va., Thoreau Middle School, Fairfax CountyNaboshree Santra, Oviedo, Fla., Jackson Heights Middle School, Seminole County Public SchoolsAbigail Stein, Nashville, Tenn., Harding Academy, Nashville Independent Schools"The 3M Young Scientist Challenge brings together student curiosity, scientific thinking and 3M mentorship to turn promising ideas into real solutions," said William Brown, 3M Chairman and CEO. "3M is focused on helping these young innovators strengthen their ideas and apply science in ways that can make a meaningful impact."This year's 10 finalists, aged 11 to 14, each spotted an everyday problem, developed an innovative solution, and pitched their project through a one- to two-minute entry video. Their proposals align to two of 3M's 49 technology platforms, including...