Discovery Education And 3M Search For America's Top Young Scientist

SILVER SPRING, Md. and ST. PAUL, Minn., Jan. 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Everyday life is full of everyday issues and the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge calls on the next generation of great scientists to dream the ideas that will change the way people live for the better.

Discovery Education and 3M are proud to announce the opening of the 17th annual Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, the nation's premier science competition for students in grades 5-8.  Through the program, students have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work closely with a 3M Scientist Mentor, compete for $25,000, and earn the title of "America's Top Young Scientist."

The Challenge rewards students who use their science acumen and innovative thinking to solve these everyday problems. Sahil Doshi, who won last year for his battery cell invention, entered the contest because he loves science and he wanted to know others who shared similar interests.

"Participating in the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge and working alongside my incredible, supportive 3M Scientist Mentor has opened up opportunities that I never had before and has also taught me valuable lessons about using technology and innovation to make a difference in the world," Doshi said.

"Ideas know no limit, and we are thrilled to support this program and help students push boundaries to explore what is possible. Science and imagination are exactly what 3M uses to solve the world's everyday problems," said Jesse Singh, senior vice president for marketing and sales at 3M.

Any student in grades 5-8 can enter the contest by creating a one to two-minute video communicating the science behind a possible solution to an everyday problem.

Video entries will be evaluated based on their creativity, scientific knowledge, persuasiveness and overall presentation. Ten finalists will then be chosen to participate in an exclusive mentorship program where they will work closely with a 3M scientist. During the program, finalists will be challenged to develop an innovation that positively impacts them, their family, their community or the global population. The students will meet virtually with their mentors and will receive additional resources and support from 3M and Discovery Education. Each finalist will also receive a trip to the 3M Innovation Center in St. Paul, Minn., to compete at the final event in October 2015.

All video entries must be submitted online at www.youngscientistchallenge.com no later than April 21, 2015. Videos will not be judged on production skills and may be recorded on cell phones or basic digital cameras.

Since its inception, the Young Scientist Challenge has awarded more than $600,000 in student scholarships and prizes, paired students with world-renowned scientists to give them real-world insights and delivered much-needed science resources to millions of students, teachers and families across the country. Winners have gone on to speak in front of members of Congress, meet the President of the United States, work with the nation's top scientists and pursue academic careers in science.

"This one-of-a-kind program and partnership between Discovery Education and 3M has inspired thousands of students across the country, giving them the valuable opportunity to hone the critical skills they need for college and career success," said Godfrey Rangasammy, PreK-12 Science Curriculum Supervisor at Prince George's County Public Schools in Maryland. "The Young Scientist Challenge not only encourages our next generation to solve the challenges of tomorrow, but this competition also highlights the incredible possibilities for today's young minds to develop breakthrough creations that will change the future and revolutionize the way we live our lives every day."

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 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 $31 billion in sales, 3M employs 89,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 70 countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com or follow @3MNews on Twitter.

About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital content and professional development for K-12, transforming teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content that supports the implementation of Common Core, professional development, assessment tools, and the largest professional learning community of its kind.  Available in over half of all U.S. schools and primary schools in England, community colleges and in 50 countries around the world, Discovery Education partners with districts, states and like-minded organizations to captivate students, empower teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions that accelerate academic achievement. Discovery Education is powered by Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the number one nonfiction media company in the world. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

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SOURCE Discovery Education