The Challenges ~ Challenge Week ~ Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge

Challenge Week

All Student Finalists Received:

$1,000
Competition medal
Finalist Apparel
3M Product Welcome Box
A DVD set from Discovery Education's award-winning library, which features programs from Discovery Channel and Science Channel such as Planet Earth, Mythbusters, Prototype This!, and How It's Made.
The Science Channel Essential Space Collection DVD from DiscoveryStore.com

Winning Teacher Lynn Mangle Received:

All Expenses paid trip to the YSC Finals
YSC Apparel
A one-year subscription to Discovery Education Science for Elementary and Middle School students. Discovery Education Science features a variety of digital media tools including full-length videos and segmented clips, virtual labs, integrated science simulations, explorations, and more, all designed to help students investigate real-life situations.

Winning Student Received:

$50,000 Value of US Savings Bonds
Title of "America's Top Young Scientist"
Trophy for themselves and for their school
A collection of Discovery Education's best selling DVDs featuring top programs from Discovery Channel and Science Channel such as Planet Earth, Mythbusters, Prototype This!, and How It's Made.

3M Innovation Prize

The Winning student will have the opportunity to see the magical path science can take to open a world of wonder and possibility. During this 1-day visit to 3M's Global headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota, the finalist will learn about exciting technology platforms like microreplication, nanotechnology, advanced materials and processing. 3M's world class Innovation Center will also introduce the winner to talented scientists who will share insights about their careers, centered around innovation.. Tours of 3M's state of the art analytical labs, where experiments are conducted on a daily basis, will be followed by a tour of the Science Museum of Minnesota in downtown St. Paul, known worldwide for its dynamic and interactive exhibits.

Student Finalist Discretionary Prizes
Awarded to students finishing in 2nd-10th place

1. Animal Planet "Walk in The Wild" Prize: Nicholas LaJoie
The recipient of the Animal Planet prize will join Animal Planet's apex predator expert Dave Salmoni on a wildlife excursion. The winner and zoologist Salmoni will spend the day on a VIP/Behind the Scenes tour at The Bowmanville Zoo outside Toronto, Canada. This "Walk in the Wild" will include up-close encounters with some of the wildest creatures on the planet, a chance to learn about the vital role predators play in our ecosystems and hear about Dave's personal stories of his exciting encounters with sharks, lions, tigers, bear and much more!

Presented to the DE 3M YSC finalist exhibiting ingenious methods and visionary efforts to satisfy their personal scientific curiosity.

2. Discovery Education "Discovery Student Adventures" Prize: Nikita Gaurav
The recipient will take part in an 8-day educational adventure to one of the most exciting places on Earth - Costa Rica. As part of the adrenaline-fueled experience, you'll be immersed into the rainforest where you'll soar above the canopy along zip lines near the spectacular and active Arenal volcano, rappel down waterfalls, study medicinal plants, and encounter exotic plants and wildlife. Your Costa Rica Discovery Student Adventure also includes participation in a critical reforestation project.

Presented to the finalist demonstrating outstanding ability to engage and capture the imagination of their audience.

3. Discovery Channel "Shark Week" Prize: Devin Dwyer
The recipient of this year's Discovery Channel award will enjoy an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of the National Aquarium (Baltimore, MD). The winner will get to see first-hand the teamwork it takes to maintain the Aquarium's world class exhibits, and will get to spend the day with Andy Dehart, Marine Biologist and Discovery Channel Shark Advisor. The winner will get a sneak peek at the daily operations of the Aquarium, including areas not normally open to the public. The aquarium features more than 16,000 animals, the ideal place for a young scientist to learn about aquatic eco-systems.

Presented to the finalist exhibiting the ability to quickly adapt their actions and strategies when confronted with new data: our finalist who can think on their feet.

4. Planet Green "Beekman Farm" Prize: Nate Bloom
The recipient of the Planet Green prize will get a trip to bucolic Sharon Springs, NY to spend a couple of days with gentleman farmers, Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, on their farm Beekman 1802. This is not just any farm though; the student will participate in the creation of the Beekman signature products, goat's milk cheese and goat's milk soap. Additionally, Beekman 1802 is a working farm with chickens, pigs, fruit orchards and vegetable gardens that will provide sustenance for them during their stay. The winner will learn about the day-to-day activities of maintaining an organic farm and participate in some of the daily chores. By the end of the trip the student will be an ecopreneur for sure!

Presented to the finalist displaying interest in, and understanding of solving problems and who also demonstrated tenacity when solving the problems presented in this year's challenges

5. Lowell Observatory "Star Gazer" Prize: Hugh Finch
The recipient of the Lowell Observatory prize will enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. You'll meet professional astronomers and learn about their research and see the site of the new Discovery Channel Telescope, which is set to have first light in late 2010. Weather permitting, you will have a chance to look through Percival Lowell's historic 24" refracting telescope, and you'll also have a chance to visit Lowell's research station at Anderson Mesa, to watch real research observations in progress.

The DE 3M YSC judges identified the finalist who best demonstrates a mastery of observational technique, and exhibits a consistent pattern of perceptive data analysis.

6. Science Channel Build it Bigger Prize: Nico Seamons
The recipient of the Science Channel "Build it Bigger" prize will get the chance to go behind-the-scenes at Science Channel's hit show, Build it Bigger. From the Hong Kong Bridge to the Panama Canal-Build it Bigger goes behind the scenes of some of the world's most extreme engineering. The winner will have the one in a lifetime opportunity to visit one of these unique engineering marvels with alongside host Danny Forster!

7. TLC "Chemistry of the Kitchen" Prize: Jason Liu
The recipient of TLC's Chemistry of the Kitchen prize will get the opportunity to spend the day behind-the-scenes at Carlo's Bakery in Hoboken, NJ, home to TLC's hit show "Cake Boss." This finalist will have the chance to see the magic behind the science of baking, finding out what goes into the amazing cake creations that Buddy and his team bake up each day.

For the finalist who best exhibits "techno" talent -- technical creativity, innovation and imagination.

8. Space Explorer Prize: Emily Grover
The winner of the Space Explorer award will have the experience of a lifetime at U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Al, where they will attend one session of either Aviation Challenge or Space Camp. (Age Criteria: Mach 1 Aviation Challenge- age 9-11, Mach 2- age 12-14, Mach 3-age 15-18. Age Criteria: Space Camp- 9-11, Space Academy- 12-14, Advanced Space Academy-15-18.)

For the finalist demonstrating continued dedication and enthusiasm for discovery.

9. National Zoo FONZ Nature Camp Prize: Claire Sheen
The recipient of this prize will have the opportunity to attend the FONZ Nature Camp, an overnight nature exploration program at the Conservation and Research Center of the Smithsonian National Zoo in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. This student will have the unique opportunity to work alongside world renowned Smithsonian science staff and learn real-world research techniques. (Disclaimer: Students must attend the camp session offered for their age group, only one session will be offered per age group)