The Young Scientist Challenge is a youth science and engineering competition administered by Discovery Education and 3M for middle school students in the United States, similar to the European Union Contest for Young Scientists. Students are challenged each year to create a 1-2 minute video detailing their idea for a new invention intended to solve a problem in one of three categories.
Contents
- Challenge Judging
- Challenge Prizes
- History of the Young Scientist Challenge
- Past Challenge Themes
- 2016 Finalists
- 2015 Finalists
- 2014 Finalists
- 2013 Finalists
- 2012 Finalists
- 2011 Finalists
- 2010 Finalists
- 2009 Finalists
- 2008 Finalists
- References
Ten finalists are chosen annually to work alongside a 3M scientist during a summer mentorship and receive a trip to the 3M Innovation Center in St. Paul, MN to compete for $25,000 and the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.” The entry period is open from December until April each year.
Challenge Judging
A panel of judges from Discovery Education and its partner organizations, educators and science professionals score qualifying Entry Videos. Judges review the video submissions and choose 10 finalists and up to 51 merit winners, one from each state and the District of Columbia, based on the following judging criteria:
Students are required to address an everyday problem and articulate how the problem directly impacts them, their families, their communities, and/or the global population. The idea must be a new innovation or solution, and cannot be a behavioral change or a new use for an existing product. Judges also look for the level to which students’ videos exhibit an understanding of scientific concepts and confidence in communicating science in general.
The Final Event 10 finalists travel to 3M's headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota each fall to participate in the Young Scientist Challenge Final Event. At the Final Event, the students visit 3M labs, meet with 3M scientists and tour the 3M Innovation Center. Finalists also participate in a series of other scored challenges to demonstrate their scientific knowledge and communication abilities. For their final challenge, the students present the innovation that they developed during their Summer Mentorship Program. Here the finalists are judged by a panel of judges selected by Discovery Education and its partner organizations according to the following guidelines:
After the Final Event, participants attend an award ceremony and dinner, at which the winner of the title “America’s Top Young Scientist” is announced.
Challenge Prizes
First Place
Three Runner-Up Prize Winners
Six Second Prize Winners
Ten Finalists
Up to 51 Merit Winners (one from each State and the District of Columbia)
History of the Young Scientist Challenge
Formerly known as The Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge (DCYSC), the Young Scientist challenge was created in 1999 as an engineering research and exhibit competition for students in grades 5 through 8. It was sponsored primarily by Discovery Communications, Society for Science and the Public, and Elmer's Glue. Competitors were originally qualified for DCYSC by entering in an International Science and Engineering (ISEF) affiliated science fair and nominated by a teacher or professional.
The judging criteria challenged students to complete an application that included several essays. The essays were then evaluated for communication abilities by DCYSC judges who selected 400 semi-finalists. The judging panel also selected 40 finalists who received an all-expense-paid trip to Washington D.C. to compete in the final competition. The finals were composed of two parts. The first was a research presentation, accounting for 20% of the total score, held at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, the National Academy of Sciences, or another academic national association that varied from year to year. The second part was a series of six science-related challenges that took place at the National Institutes of Health or the University of Maryland. Each challenge was concluded with some type of presentation (e.g., a radio show, a TV show, or a news conference) worth 10% of the students' total score. Students also presented a simple science experiment, known as a Whelmer, in front of cameras for 15% of their score. The remaining 5% came from teamwork, as the finalists were split into eight colored teams consisting of five members each for the science challenges.
In 2008 the contest was changed to the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge. Students no longer have to be nominated and now submit a 1-2 minute video clip as their form of entry.
Past Challenge Themes
Since 2003, themes for the Young Scientist Challenge have followed scientific curiosities and been built on the activities and innovations around them.
2016 Finalists
This years contenders competed for a 25,000 top prize and a trip to 3M Innovation Center in St. Paul, Minnesota (USA)