Winning the 3M Young Scientist Challenge can open doors to many opportunities, from scholarships to media appearances, and even mentorship from top scientists.

Here’s how you can set yourself up for success and potentially become America’s next top young scientist, like ScienceFair's founder, Rishab Jain did in 2018.

1. Understand the Competition

Before diving into your project, it's crucial to understand the format and expectations of the 3M Young Scientist Challenge.

This competition invites students from grades 5-8 to submit a short video (1-2 minutes) explaining a scientific concept or innovation that can solve a problem in their community or the world.

In your video, you must show:

• Originality and Creativity: Your project should showcase an innovative approach to solving a real-world problem.

• Scientific Knowledge: Demonstrate a solid understanding of scientific principles.

• Communication Skills: Clearly and effectively communicate your idea and its potential impact.

2. Identify a Problem to Solve

Winning projects often address pressing issues with unique solutions. Start by looking around your community, school, or even global challenges.

Ask yourself what problems do you see daily? Is there a way to improve existing solutions? Can you apply a scientific principle to create something new?

To help you, choose a problem that personally affects you or someone close to you. This connection will drive your passion and provide a unique perspective.

If you're still stuck, conduct surveys or interviews with people in your community to gather insights and identify lesser-known but impactful problems.

You could also look into niche areas of science that are under-explored. Sometimes, the most unique and winning ideas come from unconventional fields.

3. Do Your Research

Once you’ve identified a problem, dive into research. Look at existing solutions, understand the science behind the problem, and brainstorm potential innovations.

Three steps to help you research and prepare:

1. Use Diverse Sources: Go beyond textbooks and look into scientific journals, TED Talks, and online courses. Sometimes, unconventional sources provide the best inspiration.

2. Crowdsource Ideas: Engage with online forums, social media groups, and science communities. Crowdsourcing can yield fresh perspectives and innovative ideas.

3. Reverse Engineering: Study existing solutions and try to deconstruct them. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of current technologies can inspire improvements or entirely new approaches.

   
   

4. Conduct Experiments

If your project involves an experiment, ensure you follow the scientific method:

• Hypothesis: Formulate a testable hypothesis.

• Experiment: Design and conduct experiments to test your hypothesis.

• Data Collection: Gather and analyze data carefully.

• Conclusion: Draw conclusions based on your data and refine your solution as necessary.

When you start, don't aim for perfection, create quick and rough prototypes to test basic concepts and iterate rapidly.

You can also innovate using everyday items. Often, the simplicity of using common materials can make your project more relatable and practical.

If you don't have access to a lab, you canconduct field experiments or real-world trials, this real-world validation can make your project stand out.

5. Create an Engaging Video

Your video submission is your chance to impress the judges.

Here’s how to make it stand out:

• Tell a Story: Frame your project as a story with a beginning, middle, and end. Stories are much more memorable and engaging than facts.

• Use Visual Storytelling: Instead of just talking, show the problem and your solution in action. You should use visuals to make complex ideas simple.

• Interactive Elements: Include interactive elements, such as asking the audience a question or posing a challenge, to make your video more engaging.

• Practice Public Speaking: Join a local Toastmasters club or participate in school debates to improve your public speaking skills.

• DIY Filmmaking: Learn basic filmmaking techniques. Even simple edits and effects can significantly enhance your video’s quality.

• Visual Effects Apps: Apps like Action Movie FX or VFX Studio can add engaging special effects to your video, making it more captivating.

• Teleprompter Apps: Use teleprompter apps like PromptSmart Pro to deliver your script smoothly without memorizing lines.

• B-Roll Footage: Incorporate B-roll footage to add variety and context. You can use free stock video sites like Pexels or Videvo for high-quality clips.

6. Review and Submit

Before submitting, review your work, ensure your script and video are free from errors. You should also ask for feedback from teachers and parents to make necessary revisions.

You can also ask peers, especially those unfamiliar with your project, to review your video and script for clarity and impact.

Even if your peers or parents don't understand your project or science, their point of view can be valuable to get varied perspectives, and make sure that you're presenting clearly.

Then make sure that you've met all the submission requirements. You can list all requirements and tick them off as you complete each one.

7. Prepare for the Finals

If you’re selected as a finalist, congratulations!

Here’s what to expect:

• Mentorship: You’ll be paired with a 3M scientist mentor to refine your project.

• Presentation: Prepare a detailed presentation for the final event.

• Judging: Be ready to answer questions and discuss your project in depth.

• Prototype Feedback: Use your mentor’s expertise to refine your prototype or solution.

Be open to constructive criticism, and use it to improve your project.

Make sure that you continually practice your presentation in front of a mirror and also an audience to simulate the pressure of the finals.

If you can work on developing a personal brand or unique style, you'll become more memorable to the judges.

Winning the 3M Young Scientist Challenge

Winning the 3M Young Scientist Challenge takes hard work, creativity, and the right guidance, but following these steps you can do it.

If you need help with your project, research, and presentation, ScienceFair mentors can help! They support you from ideation to presentation, so you have a higher chance to win awards and scholarships.

Schedule a consultation call to connect with one of our team members and create a personalized plan tailored to your needs.

FAQ:

What is the 3M Young Scientist Challenge?

The 3M Young Scientist Challenge is the most prestigious middle school science competition for grades 5-8. Students develop innovative solutions for everyday problem for the chance to win $25,000 and become "America's Top Young Scientist".

Who is eligible for the 3M Young Scientist Challenge?

Students must be legal US residents who are enrolled in grades 5-8 at a public, private, parochial, or home school located in one of the fifty United States or the District of Columbia to be eligible for the 3M Young Scientist Challenge.

Who won the 3M Young Scientist Challenge 2025?

Kevin Tang won the 3M Young Scientist Challenge in 2025. Kevin built a custom in-home device that uses video analysis and smart alerts to protect older adults in their homes.