America’s Top Young Scientists
Taken from Practical Homeschooling Magazine, September/October 2013 Issue
Three of the top 10 finalists in the 15th annual Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, “the nation’s premier science competition for students in grades 5-8,” are homeschoolers!
Students nationwide were asked to create a short video describing a new innovative solution that would impact an everyday problem. Entries were judged on scientific ingenuity and inventive thinking.
The homeschooled finalists were Srijay Kasturi of Reston, VA; Katie Hudek of Grafton, MA; and Maureen “Reeny” Bostros of Wichita, KS (You can read the finalists’ bios at http://ow.ly/owy9u).
Each finalist will have the opportunity to work directly with a 3M scientist during a summer mentorship program, where the finalist will be challenged to identify an everyday problem and create an innovative solution. Mentors will provide guidance as the finalist develops his or her idea from a concept into an actual prototype, which will be presented during the competition’s final event at the 3M Innovation Center in St. Paul, MN. Throughout the program, each student will have access to resources and support provided by 3M and Discovery Education.
This year’s finalists will also receive $1,000 and be awarded a trip to 3M Headquarters to participate in the final competition. Students will compete in a series of three different challenges, including a presentation of their completed innovation. Each challenge will be scored independently by a panel of judges. The winner will receive $25,000, a trip from Discover Student Adventures and the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.” Curious? Visit YoungScientistChallenge.com
