Archive · 30 Jul 2026
Five Indian-American Students Reach 2026 3M Young Scientist Finals
Five kids from the United States, all of Indian heritage, made it to the top 10 of a big science contest called the 3M Young Scientist Challenge.
They are in middle school and each has a different idea to help people.
One made a sticky glue that is good for the planet, another made a way to clean fruit from pesticides, and another made a system to keep roads safer.
They will meet scientists from the company 3M to help them build better versions of their ideas.
The final contest will be held in Minnesota on October 12 and 13, and the winner will get $25,000 and a special title.
Five Indian-American middle school students are finalists in the 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge.
Each student presented a project solving everyday problems such as pollution, food safety, road safety, climate change, and water conservation.
Projects include a mussel-inspired adhesive, an algae-based ocean acidification reducer, a pesticide-removal method using agricultural waste, an AI driver fatigue detector, and biodegradable soil-shade balls.
Finalists will work with 3M scientists to refine prototypes before presenting at the 3M Innovation Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The final competition takes place on October 12-13, 2026, with a $25,000 prize for the winner.
- Who
- Five Indian-American middle school students
- What
- Finalists in the 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge
- When
- Final competition on October 12-13, 2026
- Where
- 3M Innovation Center, St. Paul, Minnesota
- Why
- Their projects address everyday problems and demonstrate practical science solutions
- Event
- 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge
- Number of finalists
- 5
- Prize
- $25,000
- Final competition dates
- October 12-13, 2026
- Location
- 3M Innovation Center, St. Paul, Minnesota