Discovery Education and 3M are sponsors of a national science competition to encourage elementary and middle school students to prepare for STEM jobs so the economy will be enriched with the next generation of outstanding innovators. The top 10 finalists were given an opportunity to work directly with a 3M scientist to create an innovation that solves a problem in everyday life. The 2012 America’s Top Young Scientist winner is Deepika Kurup. Now that the winners have been chosen, the critical questions to be asked are: What are the innovations proposed by the Top Young Science scholars? How can students enter the 2013 Discovery Education and 3M Young Scientist Challenge?

Kurup, a 9th grader at Nashua High School in Nashua, N.H won the national science competition because of her innovative, cost effective and sustainable water purification system. Her prototype harnesses solar energy to disinfect contaminated water and can help improve the lives of the 1.1 billion people around the world who lack access to clean drinking water. Because of Kurup’s remarkable prototype, she won $25,000 and a trip from Discovery Student Adventures.

Along with first place, Carolyn Jons from Eden Prairie High School in Eden Prairie, Minn. received second place for her innovative packaging method that inhibits mold growth and helps keep food fresh longer; Anin Sayana from Bellarmine College Preparatory in Cupertino, Calif. received third place for his innovation that selectively targets chemotherapy-resistant cancer stem cells and Anishaa Sivakumar from Franklin Regional High School in Murrysville, Pa. received fourth place for her innovation that would help treat patients suffering from macular degeneration. Each of these students received a $1,000 cash prize and a trip from Discovery Student Adventures to Costa Rica. For additional information about all the finalists, go to www.youngscientistchallenge.com.

According to Bill Goodwyn, CEO of Discovery Education, “the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge is a perfect example of the importance for companies to join forces to ignite students’ natural curiosity in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects and encourage them to pursue STEM careers in the future. Kurup and the rest of this year’s finalists have shown incredibly innovative thinking, and I am certain that they will be prepared to compete in today’s global economy and create a bright future for our country.”

“The opportunity to encourage and celebrate science achievement among our nation’s top students carries great meaning for the future of our society, and we’re proud to have hosted these young scientists at the 3M Innovation Center,” added Ian Hardgrove, President, 3M Foundation. “Innovation is a way of life at 3M and we never stop inventing. We look to the talented minds of the next generation like those students represented in this competition to lead us to new frontiers of discovery in the years to come.”

To enter the 2013 Discovery Education and 3M Young Scientist Challenge, students in grades five through eight must create a one to two-minute video describing a new innovation or solution that could solve or impact an everyday problem related to how we live, work or play. All student video entries must be submitted by April 23 to www.youngscientistchallenge.com/. For 2013, one student will win the coveted title of America’s Top Young Scientist.

We sincerely congratulate Deepika Kurup for being named America’s Top Young Scientist for 2012, as well as the competitive spirit of the other finalists. Kurup’s prototype designed to disinfect contaminated water and improve the lives of 1.1 billion around the world is an excellent example of what students can do when provided the opportunity to participate in a rigorous competition supported with the necessary resources and guidance.

Dr. Ronald Holmes is the author of three books, “Education Questions to be Answered,” “Current Issues and Answers in Education” and “How to Eradicate Hazing.” He is publisher of “The Holmes Education Post,” an education focused Internet newspaper. Holmes is the national superintendent of education for the National Save the Family Now Movement, Inc., a former teacher, school administrator and district superintendent. He can be reached at [email protected].