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3M Young Scientist Challenge (YSC): The Complete Guide
The entry video, key dates, prizes, and what winning inventions look like
Shanay Desai
Science Fair Coach
Summary
The 3M Young Scientist Challenge (YSC) is the premier middle school science competition in the US, open to students in grades 5-8. Each student submits a one- to two-minute video pitching an invention that solves an everyday problem. Ten finalists win $1,000 and a summer mentorship with a 3M scientist, then compete in October for the $25,000 grand prize and the title of “America's Top Young Scientist.
What is the 3M Young Scientist Challenge?
The Young Scientist Challenge (YSC) is run by 3M in partnership with Discovery Education, and it's a premier, project-based science competition for students in grades 5-8.
It aims to inspire students to solve everyday problems innovatively and scientifically. Each student independently submits a video describing a potential solution to an issue that affects them, their families, or their communities.
Who should consider the Young Scientist Challenge?
The YSC is aimed at younger students, between the ages of 10 and 14. It is a great entry into independent scientific research and many STEM competitions.
It's great for students who want to have an impact, enjoy solving problems, and are interested in inventions and innovations. It's very different from rote learning and Olympiad-style competitions or tests, and it encourages students to think outside the box and communicate their ideas.
Key dates and timeline
The 3M Young Scientist Challenge applications open in January every year and close in April. Finalists and State Merit Winners are announced in early summer; the 2026 finalists were announced in early July. All finalists participate in a summer mentorship program, where students work one-on-one with 3M scientists.
The final event is in October. The 10 finalists win $1,000 each and travel to the 3M Innovation Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, for the final interactive competition, where winners are announced. The YSC's grand prize winner receives $25,000, a unique destination trip, and the title of "America's Top Young Scientist."
Timing | Milestone |
January | Application opens |
April | Application closes |
Early Summer | 10 finalists and up to 51 State Merit Winners announced |
Summer | One-on-one mentorship with a 3M scientist |
October | Final event at the 3M Innovation Center; winner announced |
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for the Young Scientist Challenge, you must be a legal resident of the USA and enrolled in 5th to 8th grade at a public, private, parochial, charter, or home school.
YSC is individual only
You can't apply as a team; every entry must be an individual submission, and each student may submit only one entry. Former finalists are not eligible to enter again.
How the application and selection process works
The entry topics for the challenge are robotics, home improvement, automotive, safety, AR/VR, and climate tech. You should choose a topic that interests you, develop your solution, and then film a one- to two-minute video describing your innovation.
The videos don't need to have high production value. They are judged in four areas:
Judging criterion | Weight | What judges look like |
Creativity | 30% | Ingenuity and innovative thinking |
Scientific knowledge | 30% | Applying STEM principles to real-world challenges |
Persuasiveness and effective communication | 20% | Demonstrating passion and research |
Overall presentation | 20% | Connecting all the dots to inspire others |
How competitive and prestigious is the 3M YSC?
The 3M Young Scientist Challenge is the most prestigious middle school science competition in the US. The winner is named "America's Top Young Scientist" and tends to receive news coverage.
It's an ideal entry competition into research. You gain the skills you'll use in the Thermo Fisher Junior Innovators Challenge, science fairs like ISEF, and competitions like the Davidson Fellows Scholarship and STS.
What do winning inventions typically look like?
3M YSC values inventions that can have a real impact on a large group of people.
3M YSC values inventions that can have a real impact on a large group of people.
In 2025, Kevin Tang won the Young Scientist Challenge. His invention, FallGuard, is an in-home device that uses video analysis and smart alerts to protect older adults in their homes, even in the dark.
The year prior, 14-year-old Sirish Subash won with a handheld device he designed to detect pesticide residues on produce using a non-destructive method.
Admissions impact: how colleges view the 3M Young Scientist Challenge
The 3M Young Scientist Challenge is a middle school competition, so it's a bit early for universities to consider.
However, most students who do well in the YSC continue to participate in STEM competitions and science research, which stands out to Ivy League institutions. For instance, ScienceFair's founder, Rishab Jain, went on to be a 2x ISEF Grand Award winner and study at Harvard.
Pros and limitations of competing in the YSC
The 3M Young Scientist Challenge provides you with skills, including:
• Problem solving
• Project management
• Scientific methods
• Identifying and solving real-world problems
• Resilience and adaptability
• Scientific communication and storytelling
• Resource management
• Independent research
• Creative thinking
All of these skills are useful for further research, study, and careers. And if you win, you gain national recognition and talk to news outlets about your invention.
However, the competition and summer mentorship take several months, so students should only apply if they're really interested in investigating real-world issues and building a solution.
How the YSC compares to similar competitions
The other big middle school science competition is the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (JIC). The YSC and JIC might sound similar, but they couldn't be more different in what they ask of students.
Where the YSC pushes you to roll up your sleeves and invent a potential solution, the JIC challenges you to slow down, dig deeper, and uncover the gaps that science hasn't fully answered yet.
The application process is also different; you apply for YSC with a video, so your communication matters from the start. You qualify for JIC through local science fairs, so your research takes center stage.
Should you choose the 3M Young Scientist Challenge?
You should choose the 3M Young Scientist Challenge if you're interested in solving real-world problems, want to build solutions, and are curious about science.
You don't need any experience to take part, and you have the unique opportunity to work on your idea with real scientists who work at 3M.
How Crimson helps students succeed in research competitions
Crimson partners with ScienceFair to help students stand out in STEM research competitions, such as the 3M Young Scientist Challenge.
ScienceFair was founded by Rishab Jain, 2018 America's Top Young Scientist and 2x ISEF Grand Award winner, and provides STEM mentoring for middle and high school students. Their mentors are past Davidson Fellows Laureates, STS finalists, ISEF award winners, and alumni of the MIT Research Science Institute.
ScienceFair provides full guidance and support before, during, and after your research, helping you with ideation, walking you through challenges in the research process, and coaching you as you apply to competitions such as the 3M Young Scientist Challenge.
