Discovery Education and 3M Search for America's 2012 Top Young Scientist

SILVER SPRING, Md. and ST. PAUL, Minn., Jan. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Discovery Education and 3M are proud to announce the opening of the 14th annual Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge (http://www.youngscientistchallenge.com). The nation's premier science competition for students in grades 5-8, the Challenge rewards middle school students for their science acumen, demonstration of innovation and curiosity, and communication skills. Through the Challenge, students have the opportunity to compete for $25,000 and the title of "America's Top Young Scientist."

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Encouraging students to share their passion for science, the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge asks students to create a one to two-minute video communicating the science behind a possible solution to an everyday problem related to one of the following categories:

• The Way We Move
• The Way We Keep Ourselves Healthy
• The Way We Make a Difference

For additional information on the video topics, please visit http://www.youngscientistchallenge.com/12challenge/topics.html.

Evaluated on their creativity, scientific knowledge, persuasiveness and overall presentation, ten finalists will be selected to participate in an exclusive summer mentorship program working directly with a 3M scientist. During the program, each finalist will be challenged to create an innovation that solves a problem in society. The students will meet virtually with their mentor and will receive resources and support provided by 3M and Discovery Education. Each finalist also will receive a trip to the 3M Innovation Center in St. Paul, Minn., to compete in the final challenge in October, 2012.

All video entries must be submitted online at www.youngscientistchallenge.com no later than April 19, 2012. Videos will not be judged on production skills and may be recorded on cell phones or basic digital cameras.

For more information on the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, including submission guidelines, tips from previous winners and complete rules, please visit: www.youngscientistchallenge.com.

About Discovery Education

Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) revolutionized television with Discovery Channel and is now transforming classrooms through Discovery Education. Powered by the number one nonfiction media company in the world, Discovery Education combines scientifically proven, standards-based digital media and a dynamic user community in order to empower teachers to improve student achievement. Already, more than half of all U.S. schools access Discovery Education digital services. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

About 3M
3M captures the spark of new ideas and transforms them into thousands of ingenious products. Our culture of creative collaboration inspires a never-ending stream of powerful technologies that make life better. 3M is the innovation company that never stops inventing. With $27 billion in sales, 3M employs about 80,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 65 countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com or follow @3MNews on Twitter.

SOURCE Discovery Education