At Mary Kay, inspiring young women and cultivating a love for STEM isn’t just a goal—it’s a movement. This spring, we proudly returned for our second consecutive year as a Special Awards Organization at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (Regeneron ISEF), the world’s largest pre-college STEM competition, held in Columbus, Ohio.

The atmosphere at ISEF was electric. Each year, nearly 2,000 talented students from over 60 countries showcase projects with the potential to change the world. With more than $9 million in awards, scholarships, and opportunities to connect with industry leaders, ISEF serves as a launchpad for the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.

This year marked ISEF’s 75th anniversary, and Mary Kay proudly awarded ten grants totaling nearly $10,000 to high school students whose projects demonstrated exceptional creativity, impact, and potential. Their work spanned areas such as developing potential cancer therapies for women, designing sustainable packaging, and protecting vital natural resources.

We recently caught up with one of Mary Kay’s scholarship recipients, Carolina de Araujo Pereira da Silva from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to hear about her progress. Carolina returned this year to present her research on Salinomycin as a Molecular Trojan Horse for Targeting Mn-Induced Malignancy in Aggressive Tumors.

We were thrilled to check in with Carolina, a two-time Mary Kay scholarship recipient, to learn more about her journey over the past two years:

At Mary Kay, we are proud to support such a talented, driven, and compassionate young scientist. We wish Carolina continued success in all her future endeavors.

Supporting students like Carolina is not only about recognizing their accomplishments—it’s about helping them advance. By championing young innovators, Mary Kay invests in a future where science and creativity intersect to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
When young people dream in STEM, they don’t just imagine a better future—they create it.

Did You Know
Mary Kay Inc. is empowering the next generation of women in STEM by awarding 40 grants totaling $195,000, helping young women worldwide pursue their dreams in STEM-related fields.

3M and Discovery Education have revealed the top 10 finalists for the 2025 3M Young Scientist Challenge. These students, aged 11 to 14, were selected for identifying everyday challenges and proposing innovative scientific solutions. Their inventive projects span areas such as robotics, home improvement, automotive technology, public safety, augmented and virtual reality, and climate tech.

Recognized as the nation’s leading science competition for middle schoolers, the annual challenge invites students in grades 5 through 8 to compete for a unique mentorship with a 3M scientist, a $25,000 grand prize, and the prestigious title of "America’s Top Young Scientist."

Submissions were evaluated by a distinguished panel—including 3M scientists and educators from across the U.S.—who assessed the entries based on creativity, scientific understanding, and communication skills.

“For nearly two decades, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge has encouraged young learners to bring science to life in exciting and meaningful ways,” said Torie Clarke, Executive Vice President and Chief Public Affairs Officer at 3M. “This year’s finalists have again raised the bar for what’s possible. Congratulations to all 10—we look forward to seeing how you shape a better world.”

Meet the 2025 Finalists (listed alphabetically by last name):

Each finalist will take part in a summer mentorship with a 3M scientist, receiving expert guidance to further develop their proposed solutions. In October, they will travel to the 3M Innovation Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, where they will compete in the final round of the challenge on October 13–14. There, the students will present their completed projects and engage in a variety of STEM-based challenges judged by an independent panel.

Over the years, past finalists and 3M scientists have partnered to create groundbreaking solutions tackling issues such as cybersecurity, marine ecosystem health, water sustainability, food waste reduction, clean energy alternatives, energy efficiency, and air pollution.

In 2024, the grand prize was awarded to 14-year-old Sirish Subash from Snellville, Georgia. His invention, PestiSCAND, is a portable device that detects pesticide residues on produce using a non-invasive method. It employs spectrophotometry—analyzing light reflection across wavelengths—and machine learning to identify harmful chemicals on fruits and vegetables.

Now in its 18th year, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge continues to fuel curiosity and creativity among middle schoolers, encouraging them to apply STEM knowledge to real-world problems. Alumni of the competition have gone on to deliver TED Talks, secure patents, start nonprofit organizations, be recognized on Forbes' 30 Under 30 list, and present at the White House Science Fair. Many have been honored as TIME’s Kid of the Year and featured in major outlets including The New York Times Magazine, Business Insider, and Forbes, as well as on national TV programs like Good Morning America and The Kelly Clarkson Show.

Launched in 2022, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni Network now includes over 100 former finalists, winners, and mentors. This community fosters continued learning and collaboration through exclusive networking events and professional opportunities.

Additionally, 3M has also announced the winners for this year’s Young Scientist Challenge state merit list. Click here to view the results.