SILVER SPRING, Md. and
ST. PAUL, Minn., June 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- From alternative
energy to sustainable agriculture to medical advancements, today's
scientific young minds work hard to solve today's biggest
challenges — making materials safer, solutions more efficient, and
innovations more accessible. Today, Discovery Education
(@DiscoveryEd) and 3M (@3M) announced 10 finalists from across
America as part of its Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist
Challenge, which is celebrating its landmark 10th
anniversary (#YoungScientist). The annual premier
competition recognizes scientific thinking and imagination in
students grades 5-8 who dream up a solution to an everyday problem
that ultimately could reshape and improve the way we live our
lives.
These young thinkers submitted short videos that communicate the
science behind a possible solution to an everyday problem. Ten rose
to the top of the competition and were selected over hundreds of
others. These young ladies and gentlemen were selected based
on their science acumen, innovative thinking and exceptional
communication skills as demonstrated in their entry videos. The
finalists ̶ six girls and four boys, ranging in
age from 11-14 ̶ include those from public schools all
across the nation.
The 10 Finalists
(in alphabetical order)*:
- Laalitya Acharya, Mason, Ohio,
Mason Middle School, Mason City
School District
- Karina Andersen, Rocklin,
Calif., Granite Oaks Middle School, Rocklin Unified School
District
- Anika Bhagavatula, Wilton, Conn., Middlebrook Middle School, Wilton Public School
District
- Austin Crouchley, Garden City,
N.Y., Garden City Middle School, Garden City School District
- Rithvik Ganesh, Plano, Texas,
C.M. Rice Middle School, Plano
Independent School District
- Simone Jacobs, Seattle, Wash.,
Washington Middle School, Seattle
School District 1
- Gitanjali Rao, Brentwood,
Tenn., Brentwood Middle
School, Williamson County
School District
- Samu Shrestha, Highlands Ranch,
Colo., Cresthill Middle School, Douglas County School District Re-1
- Allie Weber, Sioux Falls,
S.D., Edison Middle School,
Sioux Falls School District
49-5
- Devin Willis, Boca Raton,
Fla., A.D. Henderson University School, Florida Atlantic University Schools
Each finalist will have the opportunity to work one-on-one with
a 3M scientist during a summer mentorship program that will
challenge their curious minds to develop an innovative idea that
positively impacts them, their family, their community or the
global population. Students meet virtually with their mentors, who
provide guidance from the student's concept to actual prototype. 3M
is a company rooted in scientific exploration, and the belief that
every problem has a solution. These practices set the stage for
students' complete experience of the scientific process in which
the original idea may evolve. Throughout the program, each student
will have access to resources and support provided by 3M and
Discovery Education.
All 10 finalists receive $1,000
and a trip to 3M Headquarters in St.
Paul, Minn., to participate in the final competition at the
3M Innovation Center on Oct. 16 and
17. There, they will be evaluated on a series of challenges,
including a presentation of their completed innovation. Each
challenge will be scored independently by a panel of judges. The
winner will receive $25,000, a trip
to watch the taping of a Discovery Network show, and the title of
"America's Top Young Scientist."
"At 3M, we have thrived for 115 years not just by adapting to
the future, but by shaping it," said Jon
Lindekugel, Senior Vice President, Business Development and
Marketing-Sales, 3M. "These young scientists – with their thirst
for discovery and their determination to make the world a better
place – are that future, and it's our privilege to support them on
their way."
"Each year, Discovery Education proudly joins with 3M to
support their commitment to fostering the next generation of
passionate innovators," said Lori
McFarling, SVP of Discovery Education. "The Young Scientist
Challenge brings science to life for young people and
helps develop the communication, critical thinking, and
problem-solving skills today's students need for success beyond the
classroom."
Over the past ten years, the Young Scientist Challenge has
awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in student scholarships
and prizes, paired students with world-renowned scientists to give
them real-world insights and delivered much-needed science
resources to millions of students, teachers and families across the
country. It targets students in the years when research indicates
their interest in science begins to wane and encourages them to
explore scientific concepts and creatively communicate their
findings. Winners have gone on to be featured in Forbes magazine's annual "30 Under 30"
list, speak in front of members of Congress and attendees at the
United Nations, meet the President of the
United States, and demonstrate inventions on national news
programs such as ABC World News Tonight, Fox &
Friends, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
For more information on the Discovery Education 3M Young
Scientist Challenge, including photos and bios of the 10 finalists
and a list of the 35 state merit winners, please
visit www.youngscientistlab.com/challenge. On Twitter,
follow @3M and @DiscoveryEd and join the conversation using
#YoungScientist.
About 3M
At 3M, we apply science in collaborative ways to improve lives
daily. With $30 billion in sales, our
90,000 employees connect with customers all around the world. Learn
more about 3M's creative solutions to the world's problems at
www.3M.com or on Twitter @3M or @3MNewsroom.
About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital
content and professional development for K-12, transforming
teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks,
multimedia content that supports the implementation of Common Core,
professional development, assessment tools, and the largest
professional learning community of its kind. Serving 3 million
educators and over 30 million students, Discovery Education's
services are in half of U.S. classrooms, 50 percent of all primary
schools the UK, and more than 50
countries. Discovery Education partners with districts, states
and like-minded organizations to captivate students, empower
teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions that
increase academic achievement. Discovery Education is powered by
Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the number
one nonfiction media company in the world. Explore the future of
education at www.discoveryeducation.com.
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SOURCE Discovery Education