\n Meet the Finalists of the 2024 3M Young Scientist Challenge!\n
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Entry Questions
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\n Get all the answers you need to key questions about the 3M Young\n Scientist Challenge.\n
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\n To enter, students need to submit a 1–2-minute video in\n which they describe a new innovation or solution that could\n solve or impact an everyday problem that directly affects\n them, their families, their communities, and/or the global\n population. Get ideas from this year’s{' '}\n \n entry topics.\n \n
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\n The competition is open to all legal U.S. residents who are\n students enrolled in 5th through 8th grade at a public,\n private, parochial, or home school located in one of the\n fifty United States or the District of Columbia.\n
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\n In compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection\n Act of 1998, Parental/Guardian consent is needed for any\n person under the age of 13 years to give personal\n information to a third party over the internet. In the case\n of our competition, each student's parent/guardian needs to\n grant consent for us to receive their entry.\n
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\n Students may not submit as pairs or in groups—only\n individual submissions will be accepted.\n
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\n Entry videos may not contain music unless created by the\n student or by someone who has given the entrant permission\n to use his/her music.\n
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\n Many cell phones and digital cameras can be used to film a\n short video. Students who don't have access to either can\n check with their teacher, school media center, or local\n public library.\n
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\n When a student's parent/guardian completed the required\n consent form and registration form, the student's username\n and a link to change their password were emailed to the\n student and his/her parent/guardian.\n
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\n Yes, you can find video submission instructions and entry\n topics{' '}\n \n here\n \n . It is also very important that each student reads and\n complies with the Official Rules and Regulations and Safety\n Guidelines. The official rules for the 2025 3M Young\n Scientist Challenge are posted{' '}\n here.\n
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\n Helpful{' '}\n \n challenge tips\n {' '}\n and{' '}\n \n previous winners' videos\n {' '}\n are available to inspire your entry. Note: Entry criteria\n changes each year, so please read the guidelines carefully.\n
\n To apply, students must create a profile in the 3M Young\n Scientist Challenge Application Portal with the help of a\n parent or guardian. Once a student's parent/guardian has\n completed the consent form and registration page the\n student will be able to submit a video file (MP4 format).\n Students should submit a video by May 1, 2025 at 11:59pm\n ET. Before uploading your video, be sure it meets the\n following criteria:\n
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\n Your video only contains your original ideas and work.\n
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\n Your video does not have copyrighted or trademarked\n content.\n
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\n Please make sure the title of your video is \"3MYSC\n Submission—[Your Title]\".\n
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Your video is between 1-2 minutes in length.
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\n Any video that does not meet this criteria will be\n disqualified from the challenge. Questions? Email us at{' '}\n \n YSC@DiscoveryEd.com\n \n
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\n Yes, videos can be updated prior to the entry deadline of\n May 1, 2025 at 11:59pm ET. If a student is interested in\n making updates, please reach out to ysc@discoveryed.com for\n instructions.\n
\n Videos do NOT need to be \"produced\" or have high\n production value. Judges are not evaluating production\n skills. Videos may be recorded on cell phones or simple\n digital cameras, for example. In addition, local libraries\n and schools may be able to loan cameras to students.\n
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\n Enries that follow all of the rules and regulations will\n be ranked based on the average of scores awarded by a\n panel of judges using the following rubric:\n
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\n Creativity (ingenuity and innovative thinking) (30%)\n
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Scientific knowledge (30%)
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Persuasiveness and effective communication (20%)
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Overall presentation (20%)
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\n The video competition is judged by a field of experts in\n science and communication including current and former\n teachers, scientists, and representatives from school\n districts across the country.\n
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\n Students will be contacted via phone and/or email in early\n June if they are selected as a Finalist. State Merit Winners\n will be notified in mid-June.\n
\n At the end of the competition, America's Top Young\n Scientist will be awarded $25,000, and other student\n winners will receive exciting prizes.\n
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Sample prizing for winners includes:
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\n Honorable Mention (up to 4 awarded—one from each grade\n band)\n
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\n 3M Young Scientist Challenge swag bag and a 3M Young\n Scientist Challenge Honorable Mention certificate.\n
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\n State Merit Winners (up to 51—one from each State and the\n District of Columbia)\n
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A Prize Pack
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Finalists (10)
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\n Participation in a unique summer mentorship with a 3M\n scientist\n
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A Prize Pack
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\n A trip to the Final Event for the student and ONE\n parent/guardian\n
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$1,000
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A Contest Medal
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\n An invitation to join the 3M Young Scientist Challenge\n Alumni Network, which brings together Finalists and\n mentors from the first year of the 3M and Discovery\n Education partnership in 2008 through the latest\n Challenge year.\n
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Grand Prize
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$25,000
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A Contest Trophy
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\n The title of \"America's Top Young Scientist 2024\"{' '}\n