About The Challenge
Annual Video Competition
The 3M Young Scientist Challenge gives students in grades 5–8 the chance to change their world for the better with a single innovative idea. This premier science competition is a one-of-a-kind project-based learning opportunity designed to spark creativity, collaboration, and connection for students from every background.
Learn MoreEntering the Challenge
The 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge is now closed. Please check back in June to meet our winners.
Inspire scientific exploration and innovation in any learning environment with comprehensive challenge resources that guide students through the submission process.
Get Started
Kickstart student entries with easy-to-use challenge tools.
The 3M Young Scientist Challenge encourages students to solve everyday problems using science and innovation.– Review challenge details below to learn more about the process.
Ideate
Tackle real-world challenges that students care about.
Use the Entry Topics to hone-in on an issue that is meaningful to students, along with a variety of other challenge resources that provide a flexible framework to facilitate student submissions.
Submit
Ensure student submissions are ready to go.
Students will be asked to created a 1-2 minute video in which they describe an innovation or solution that could solve or impact an everyday problem that directly affects them, their families, their communities, and/or the global population.
Challenge Details
The 3M Young Scientist Challenge invites students to create an original solution to an existing problem for the chance to win a 3M mentorship and more.
Rules & Prizes
Grand Prize Winner $25,000
Title of “America’s Top Young Scientist”
Top 10 Finalists $1,000
Unique Summer Mentorship with a 3M Scientist
State Merit Winners
(up to 51 awarded)
Technology Prize Packs & CertificateHonorable Mention Winners
(one per grade awarded)
CertificateImproving Lives Award Winner $2,000
Awarded to the Finalist with most votes during public voting window
School with the most entries
Special recognition in press releases and at the Final Event
Timeline
Challenge Opens
December 7, 2022
Challenge Closes
April 27, 2023
Finalist and State Merit Winner Announcements
June 2023
Final Event
October 2023
Winners Announced
October 2023
Video Judging
Creativity (30% of Score)
Ingenuity and innovative thinking.
Scientific Knowledge (30% of Score)
Apply STEM principles to real challenges.
Persuasiveness and Effective Communication (20% of Score)
Demonstrate passion and research.
Overall Presentation (20% of Score)
Connect all the dots to inspire others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Peruse these common queries about entering the challenge.
