Problems To Solve

Improving Lives with Science

Many of the greatest innovations of our time were first designed to solve simple problems for which we didn’t even know we needed solutions.
The 3M Young Scientist Challenge encourages young people to solve everyday problems using science and innovation–and we can’t wait to see what you dream up!
About the ChallengeTopic Areas
Improving Health
Not only does science solve the biggest problems inside the human body, but it also helps us create the tools that doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals need to improve – and save – lives.

What kind of innovation would...
- Prevent the spread of germs or illness when you're sick?
- Develop a new material to heal scars or injuries?
- Detect and alert people of chronic diseases before they show symptoms?
- Make healthcare products available to underdeveloped communities?
- Improve the way medications are administered?
- Make physical or mental healthcare more accessible?
- Organize healthcare information in a way that any of your doctors can access it?
- Detect or prevent food poisoning?
For inspiration, take a look at these 3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni:
Improving Safety
Whether you’re on the sports field or crossing the street, safety should always come first. Not only can we use science to protect our bodies, but we can also help improve quality of life by making the things we consume safer and cleaner.

What kind of innovation would...
- Improve the quality of food?
- Prevent young children from accidental injuries?
- Reduce the risk of injury on construction sites?
- Advance the tools used to heal from a sports injury?
- Prevent identity theft?
- Improve filtration systems for air, water and other natural resources?
- Make buildings or transportation methods more durable or reliable?
For inspiration, take a look at these 3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni:
Improving Mobility
As populations continue to move toward urban areas, science and innovation can help make these cities “smarter”. Smart vehicles, road safety and public transit are a few of the transportation mechanisms that will become increasingly important as we figure out how to improve movement within and between the planet’s most populated locations.

What kind of innovation would...
- Make airplanes, cars and trains run more efficiently?
- Make city infrastructure compatible with the technology we all have at our fingertips?
- Improve mobility with devices or products in a unique way?
- Connect the traffic and safety functions of a city with vehicles on the roads and rails?
For inspiration, take a look at these 3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni:
Improving the Environment
Our planet holds precious resources, and it is our responsibility to properly manage them so future generations can enjoy the same quality of life that we do. Through science, we can reduce our environmental footprint and enhance how we use natural resources in the most efficient ways.

What kind of innovation would...
- Make drinking water cleaner for people across the world?
- Reduce your carbon footprint?
- Ensure clean breathing air for people in all communities?
- Create new ways to use recycled materials?
- Clean up our oceans and forests for their animal inhabitants?
- Build more products with less material?
- Make it easier for people to recycle?
For inspiration, take a look at these 3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni:
Improving Energy Consumption
Energy is the key to keeping the world working, but it’s a natural resource that is frequently used and abused. With the help of science, we can create and conserve energy in new and innovative ways that really keep the lights on.

What kind of innovation would...
- Provide electricity to underdeveloped countries?
- Create transportation that is less harmful to the environment?
- Reduce energy used in homes and office buildings?
- Produce energy in ways that is least harmful to the environment?
- Reuse energy in creative ways?
For inspiration, take a look at these 3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni:
Improving the Community
Science touches every part of our lives, even if it is not obvious at first. Think about the major challenges in your life or the lives of those important to you, and how you could solve them through scientific thinking.

What kind of innovation would...
- Help to reduce traffic accidents, jams or other transportation hazards?
- Improve airline screening and/or security tools to make air transportation safer and/or more efficient?
- Make public transportation more accessible to people with disabilities, limitations or challenges?
- Create a better system for finding a missing pet?
- Protect people during a natural disaster or emergency?
- Create affordable housing for city dwellers that is also safe and easily accessible?