3M, in collaboration with Discovery Education, has revealed the 37 State Merit Winners and four Honorable Mention recipients for the 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge. Now recognized as the leading science competition for middle school students in the United States, the challenge celebrates young innovators whose creative ideas demonstrate how science can address everyday challenges and create positive change.
Students in grades 5 through 8 participate by submitting a short video describing an original scientific solution to a real-world problem. Entries are judged on innovation, scientific understanding, and communication skills. This year's submissions covered a wide range of fields, including robotics, home improvement, automotive technology, safety, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), and climate-focused innovations.
William Brown, Chairman and CEO of 3M, emphasized that the competition showcases the ability of young people to combine scientific knowledge with creativity to solve practical problems. He noted that 3M remains committed to encouraging and supporting these future innovators as they develop ideas capable of making a meaningful impact.
Every year, the competition honors one Grand Prize winner, 10 finalists, four Honorable Mention recipients, and up to 51 State Merit Winners, representing all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. The 2026 State Merit Winners and Honorable Mention recipients were selected based on their enthusiasm for science, originality, problem-solving abilities, and effective presentation skills. State Merit Winners receive recognition on the official challenge website along with a commemorative prize package.
2026 State Merit Winners
The following students were selected as 2026 State Merit Winners, listed alphabetically by state:
State Student School Alaska Sage Riley Brothers Homeschooled Arizona Akshay Lakshminarasimhan BASIS Scottsdale California Kyle Xu The Harker School – Middle School Campus Colorado Vedanth Raju Aurora Quest K-8 Connecticut Cayden Joseph Engineering and Science University Magnet School Delaware Reena Vaishnavi Neetipalli Cab Calloway School of the Arts Florida Arshiya Ghosh Starkey Ranch K-8 Georgia Siddhant Mahapatra Dodgen Middle School Hawaii James Beecroft Our Savior Lutheran School Illinois Kyrha Shah Gordon Gregory Middle School Indiana Aarsh Sahu Creekside Middle School Iowa Leen Idrees Southeast Middle School Kansas Vidhi Mishra California Trail Middle School Kentucky Liam Baldwin Belfry Middle School Maine Ryder Tu Reeds Brook Middle School Maryland Krish Janoria Hallie Wells Middle School Massachusetts Yaroslava Kazakova Plymouth South Middle School Michigan Adhrit Mishra Avondale GATE Magnet School Minnesota Agastya Pande Chippewa Middle School Missouri TingMing Tsai Ladue Middle School Nebraska Vihaan Manikya Millard North Middle School New Hampshire Sharwin Balagurumoorthy Homeschooled New Jersey Nithya Tammana Monroe Township Middle School New York Sofia Allyson Ignacio Hillside Grade School North Carolina Prakhar Purohit The Math and Science Academy of Apex Ohio Harshith Nelabhotla Strongsville Middle School Oklahoma Umar Aslam Casady School Oregon Albert Liu Willamette Valley Academy Pennsylvania Ahana Paul Downingtown Middle School South Carolina Amita Barik Sterling School Charles Townes Center Tennessee Anisha Nachnani University School of Nashville Texas Timothy Chong St. Mark's School of Texas Utah Rohan Damarla Challenger School Virginia Ishanvi Sakharpe Old Donation School Washington Kapish Arora Maywood Middle School West Virginia Preethi Nethi West Virginia Academy Wisconsin Aarav Malinowski Wisconsin Hills Middle School Students in grades 5 through 8 participate by submitting a short video describing an original scientific solution to a real-world problem. Entries are judged on innovation, scientific understanding, and communication skills. This year's submissions covered a wide range of fields, including robotics, home improvement, automotive technology, safety, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), and climate-focused innovations.
William Brown, Chairman and CEO of 3M, emphasized that the competition showcases the ability of young people to combine scientific knowledge with creativity to solve practical problems. He noted that 3M remains committed to encouraging and supporting these future innovators as they develop ideas capable of making a meaningful impact.
Every year, the competition honors one Grand Prize winner, 10 finalists, four Honorable Mention recipients, and up to 51 State Merit Winners, representing all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. The 2026 State Merit Winners and Honorable Mention recipients were selected based on their enthusiasm for science, originality, problem-solving abilities, and effective presentation skills. State Merit Winners receive recognition on the official challenge website along with a commemorative prize package.
2026 State Merit Winners
The following students were selected as 2026 State Merit Winners, listed alphabetically by state:
2026 Honorable Mention Recipients
In addition to the State Merit Winners, four students earned Honorable Mention recognition for their exceptional creativity and strong communication skills:
Brian Shaw, Chief Executive Officer of Discovery Education, highlighted the importance of helping students connect classroom science with real-life applications. He remarked that the 3M Young Scientist Challenge inspires students to view STEM as a powerful tool for solving meaningful problems and congratulated all participants for their imagination, dedication, and perseverance.
Continuing a Legacy of Innovation
Celebrating its 19th year, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge continues to encourage middle school students to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through innovative thinking and practical problem-solving. Alumni of the competition have gone on to deliver TED Talks, secure patents, establish nonprofit organizations, earn places on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, and showcase their work at the White House Science Fair.
To strengthen this growing community, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni Network, established in 2022, now includes more than 100 former winners, finalists, and mentors, providing opportunities for collaboration, networking, and continued engagement in STEM.
STEM Learning Resources
The competition is supported by the Young Scientist Lab, a free digital learning platform jointly developed by 3M and Discovery Education. The program offers standards-aligned, hands-on science activities designed to foster curiosity, creativity, and STEM skills among students of all ability levels. These resources are also available through Discovery Education Experience, helping educators, students, and families bring engaging science learning into classrooms and homes alike.
Click here to know more.
Continuing a Legacy of Innovation
Celebrating its 19th year, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge continues to encourage middle school students to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through innovative thinking and practical problem-solving. Alumni of the competition have gone on to deliver TED Talks, secure patents, establish nonprofit organizations, earn places on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, and showcase their work at the White House Science Fair.
To strengthen this growing community, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni Network, established in 2022, now includes more than 100 former winners, finalists, and mentors, providing opportunities for collaboration, networking, and continued engagement in STEM.
STEM Learning Resources
The competition is supported by the Young Scientist Lab, a free digital learning platform jointly developed by 3M and Discovery Education. The program offers standards-aligned, hands-on science activities designed to foster curiosity, creativity, and STEM skills among students of all ability levels. These resources are also available through Discovery Education Experience, helping educators, students, and families bring engaging science learning into classrooms and homes alike.
Click here to know more.