Five Indian American middle school students are among the 10 national finalists named in the 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge.
The annual competition, a partnership between 3M and Discovery Education, invites U.S. students aged 11 to 14 to develop innovative solutions for everyday problems in fields like robotics, safety, and climate tech.
The 2026 finalists include Aaisha Asif of Sarasota, Florida, who attends Pine View School, and Raji Doshi of Farmington, Connecticut, who studies at Talcott Mountain Academy.
Joining them are Arika Kundu of Shorewood, Minnesota, a student at Minnetonka Middle School East, Sharvi Mahajan of San Diego, California, who attends Bernardo Heights Middle School, and Naboshree Santra of Oviedo, Florida, a student at Jackson Heights Middle School.
The five innovators are competing alongside five other middle schoolers from Massachusetts, Texas, Oregon, Virginia, and Tennessee.
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Each of the 10 finalists will receive an exclusive mentorship with a 3M scientist and at the final event in October, they have the chance to win a $25,000 grand prize and the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.”
They will work alongside their 3M scientist mentors throughout the summer to gain hands-on experience that will advance the development of their solution.
“The 3M Young Scientist Challenge brings together student curiosity, scientific thinking and 3M mentorship to turn promising ideas into real solutions,” said William Brown, 3M Chairman and CEO. “3M is focused on helping these young innovators strengthen their ideas and apply science in ways that can make a meaningful impact.”
Each of the finalists spotted an everyday problem, developed an innovative solution, and pitched their project through a one- to two-minute entry video. Their proposals align to two of 3M’s 49 technology platforms, including Climate Tech and Safety.
The challenge culminates Oct. 12-13 at the 3M Innovation Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, where the 10 finalists will complete a series of live interactive challenges, present their completed projects, and answer questions before a panel of judges.
The grand prize winner will receive $25,000 and the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.”