Scientific leaders honored by 3M and Discovery Education

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3M and Discovery Education announced the 2025 Alumni Grants Program recipients from the Young Scientist Challenge Alumni Network. The program awarded grants across three categories: Continuation Projects ($5,000 each) went to Sean Jiang and Aakash Manaswi for their AI and bee colony projects; New Idea Projects ($2,500 each) were awarded to Viraj Pandey and Moitri Santra for clean energy and citrus sensing innovations; and Science in Your Community ($2,000 each) supported five alumni including Anish Kosaraju, Veda Murthy, Amritha Praveen, Daniel Thomas, and Harini Venkatesh for their community STEM initiatives. The 3M Young Scientist Challenge, America's premier middle school science competition, offers students in grades 5-8 opportunities to win mentorship with 3M scientists and a $25,000 grand prize.

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ST. PAUL, Minn. and CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- 3M (@3M) and Discovery Education (@DiscoveryEd) today announced the recipients in the 2025 Alumni Grants Program. As part of the Young Scientist Challenge Alumni Network, the Alumni Grants Program supports past participants of the 3M Young Scientist Challenge (#YoungScientist).  

The 3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni Network is comprised of former 3M Young Scientist Challenge participants, ranging from middle school to PhD candidates, and individuals pursuing full-time careers. Alumni collaborate in networking events, collaborate in a scientific community, and cheer on the next generation of young scientists.  

As part of the Alumni Network, former finalists are eligible to apply for continued support through the annual Grant Awards. The Grant Awards provide additional funding for current Alumni projects such as continuation of their original entry project, a new innovation that improves upon the world with STEM, or promoting science in their community and creating the next generation of young scientists. 

The 2025 Alumni Grants Program recipients are listed below by category and including their 3M Young Scientist Challenge participation year: 

Continuation of 3M Young Scientist Challenge Project 

• Sean Jiang, Baltimore, Maryland, Infosound - A Novel Navigation Device Powered by AI and Depth-Sensing Technology for the Blind, 2023 
• Aakash Manaswi, Orlando, Florida, Evaluating the Efficacy of Novel Carbon Dioxide Spray and Pesticides Using a Convolutional Neural Network for Varroa Mite Treatment in Honeybee Colonies, 2024 

This grant supports Alumni who are interested in continuing to progress or evolve the project they originally developed during the 3M Young Scientist Challenge. Each winner in this funding category receives $5,000. 

New Idea to Improve the World 

• Viraj Pandey, San Jose, CA, A Novel Triad for Clean Energy: Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation Using Graphene Quantum Dots, Titanium Dioxide, and Sunlight, 2020 
• Moitri Santra, Oviedo, Florida, Development of a Microneedle Patch Sensor for Detecting Oxytetracycline in Citrus Root Tissues, 2021 

Scientists are always exploring new ideas, and this category of funding is available to Alumni to support projects that are different from their original 3M Young Scientist Challenge innovation but have the goal of helping improve the world. Each winner in this funding category receives $2,500. 

Science in Your Community 

• Anish Kosaraju, Saratoga, California, VeriCare, 2023 
• Veda Murthy, Fairfax, Virginia, Vishnu Murthy Foundation Science in Your Community, 2021 
• Amritha Praveen, Buffalo Grove, Illinois, Amethyst Changemakers- Bridging Abilities in STEM, 2023 
• Daniel Thomas, Colleyville, Texas, Mwalimu (Swahili for Teacher), 2022 
• Harini Venkatesh, Brentwood, New Hampshire, STEMpower!, 2022 

3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni are wonderful advocates for STEM in their communities. Funding can be used to support Alumni initiatives, such as community enrichment opportunities, school events, or community activation projects that help support the next generation of young scientists. Each winner in this area of funding receives $2,000. 

"The 3M Young Scientist Challenge showcases the power of middle school minds to change the world. The Alumni Grant Program offers past Young Scientist Challenge participants new opportunities to follow their curiosity," said Torie Clarke, 3M's executive vice president and chief public affairs officer. "I'm proud of 3M's support for this program. Congratulations to each of this year's recipients!" 

As the nation's premier middle school science competition, the annual 3M Young Scientist Challenge invites students in grades 5-8 to compete for a mentorship with a 3M scientist, a $25,000 grand prize, and the chance to earn the title of "America's Top Young Scientist." America's Top Young Scientists have gone on to give TED Talks, file patents, found nonprofits, make the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange, and exhibit at the White House Science Fair. These young innovators have also been named TIME Magazine's first Kid of the Year, featured in The New York Times Magazine, Forbes, and Business Insider, and appeared on national television programs such as Good Morning America, The Kelly Clarkson Show, and more. All previous 3M Young Scientist Challenge finalists who are part of the Alumni Network were eligible to apply for an Alumni Grant. 

"The 3M Young Scientist Challenge demonstrates what can happen when students apply what is learned in the classroom to the world around them," said Amy Nakamoto, executive vice president of marketing and corporate partnerships at Discovery Education. "These alumni are exemplars of cultivating curiosity to make the world a better place and we are excited that they are able to continue their work. Congratulations!" 

To learn more about the Alumni Grants Program, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge, and to find supporting resources, visit YoungScientistLab.com. 

About 3M
3M (NYSE: MMM) believes science helps create a brighter world for everyone. By unlocking the power of people, ideas and science to reimagine what's possible, our global team uniquely addresses the opportunities and challenges of our customers, communities, and planet. Learn how we're working to improve lives and make what's next at 3M.com/news-center. 

About Discovery Education 
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art, PK-12, digital solutions support learning wherever it takes place. Through award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, innovative classroom tools, and strategic alliances, Discovery Education helps educators deliver powerful learning experiences that engage all students and support higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Through partnerships with districts, states, and trusted organizations, Discovery Education empowers teachers with essential edtech solutions that inspire curiosity, build confidence, and accelerate learning. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.  

 

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SOURCE 3M Company

FAQ

What is the 3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni Grants Program 2025?

The 2025 Alumni Grants Program is an initiative by 3M and Discovery Education that provides funding to past participants of the 3M Young Scientist Challenge across three categories: Continuation Projects ($5,000), New Idea Projects ($2,500), and Science in Your Community ($2,000).

How much money do winners receive in the 3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni Grants Program?

Winners receive different amounts based on categories: $5,000 for Continuation Projects, $2,500 for New Idea Projects, and $2,000 for Science in Your Community initiatives.

Who won the 3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni Grants in 2025?

The 2025 winners include Sean Jiang and Aakash Manaswi (Continuation Projects), Viraj Pandey and Moitri Santra (New Idea Projects), and five recipients in the Community category: Anish Kosaraju, Veda Murthy, Amritha Praveen, Daniel Thomas, and Harini Venkatesh.

What is the main prize for the 3M Young Scientist Challenge?

The main 3M Young Scientist Challenge offers students in grades 5-8 the opportunity to win a mentorship with a 3M scientist, a $25,000 grand prize, and the chance to earn the title of 'America's Top Young Scientist.'