We're always amazed and impressed by the imaginative ideas kids can come up with when you give them a simple problem to solve. Just think of how many times your smartypants kids have gotten their siblings to do their chores. Or, figured out how to circumvent your Screen Time restrictions on their iPhone. Ha!
Well, here's how to channel all that determination for good: if you've got a young middle-school scientist in your home (or classroom), or just have tweens and young teens with clever ideas, they could win $25,000 by entering the 2020
Young Scientist Challenge, thanks to our sponsor Discovery Education and 3M. How cool is that?
But before you run to the store to stock up on science experiment supplies, slow your roll! There are no exploding volcanoes required (unless you really want to make one). It's actually super easy to enter the
3M Young Scientist Challenge, in fact, all your kids need is an idea, and a 1-2 minute video describing their unique solution to an everyday problem to get started.
And while the grand prize winner gets $25,000, there's also an amazing opportunity for the top ten finalists, who will get to participate in a summer mentorship with a 3M scientist and receive a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the 3M Innovation Center.
Whether you're a parent or an educator, you can head over to the 3M Young Scientist Lab, where you'll find a step-by-step guide to the entry process, along with helpful thought starters, video shooting tips, and frequently asked questions. And while you're there, be sure to take some time to explore the huge wealth of free STEM resources and activities on the site that are open to parents, educators, and of course, students. Definitely bookmark-worthy! (Or do what we did, and send it over to your kid's teacher, stat).
Here's to encouraging young people to think outside the box, and fostering the next generation of problem solvers. As we've always said, the kids will save us.
Enter the 2020 3M Young Scientist Challenge! If you've got a student in grade 5-8, they are invited to submit a 1-2 minute video describing a unique solution to an everyday problem for the chance to win $25,000 and an exclusive 3M Mentorship. Ten finalists will be chosen for their passion for science, spirit of innovation and ingenuity, and effective communication skills. Edited: Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the deadline has been extended to May 7, 2020.
Thanks to our sponsor 3M for hosting the Young Scientist Challenge, and offering helpful, no-cost STEM resources for parents, educators, and students. 
