Discovery Education/3M "Young Scientist Challenge"
The Discovery Education 3M "Young Scientist Challenge" ("Contest") is open to all legal U.S. residents who are students enrolled in 5th through 8th grade at a public, private, parochial, or home school located in one of the fifty states or the District of Columbia.
The Contest period commences on December 30, 2009 and expires at 11:59 PM EST on May 27, 2010.
Grand Prize: The Grand Prize winner will receive the following:
$50,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds. (Cash Value $25,000.00)
A trip to 3M's World Headquarters in St. Paul, MN (ARV $1035)
Contest trophy, and
The title of "America's Top Young Scientist."
SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS:
Each student must select one (1) of the following scientific concepts (each a "Scientific Concept" and collectively ("Scientific Concepts"):
Students are challenged to create an engaging one- to two-minute science video. The topic must be selected from the following list that deals with the science of safety and security. Each entry must explain the science behind the danger and the science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics behind a possible solution.
(1) Preventing the spread of germs/disease:
People pick up germs from surfaces that are not well cleaned. Health care facilities (hospitals, doctors offices) and other public places are difficult to keep free from disease carrying germs. What can you do to make sure that surfaces that people come in contact with are as germ free as possible?
Explain the danger and the science behind it.
Explain and/or demonstrate possible option(s) for protection and explain the science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics involved.
(2) Food safety:
Food can transmit disease from person to person as well as serve as a growth medium for bacteria. How can you reduce the threat of food poisoning and improve food safety.
Explain the danger and the science behind it.
Explain and/or demonstrate possible option(s) for protection and explain the science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics involved.
(3) Sun protection:
Humans need natural sunlight. While some exposure to sunlight can be enjoyable and healthy, too much can be dangerous. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can pass through glass and therefore reach you and all the materials round you while you are inside a building or car.
Explain the danger and the science behind it.
Explain and/or demonstrate possible option(s) for protection and explain the science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics involved.
(4) Wind resistant structures:
During severe weather, structures must often withstand very high winds.
Explain the danger and the science behind it.
Explain and/or demonstrate possible option(s) for protection and explain the science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics involved.
VIDEO SUBMISSION:
To enter, a student must submit one, and only one, entry video explaining and/or demonstrating one of the Scientific Concepts listed above.
Discovery Education
One Discovery Place
Silver Spring, MD 20910
