Five very talented Indian-American middle school students have become among the top 10 national finalists for the highly competitive 3M Young Scientist Challenge (2026). Considered one of the top science competitions in America, this event is to encourage students from Grades 5 to 8 in the US and internationally for scientific innovation in the field to get involved and work on the big picture in science solutions to daily problems in the world. Their ingenious projects and innovative projects addressed pressing global problems like pollution, food safety, road security, climate change, and water conservation attracted the judges’ eyes and demonstrated that scientific solutions can be implemented at any age.
Aaisha Asif of Florida, Raji Doshi from Connecticut, Arika Kundu from Minnesota, Sharvi Mahajan from California, and Naboshree Santra from Florida are the finalists. Each student created a unique, ambitious project in order to tackle a real-world problem. Aaisha Asif developed an eco-friendly adhesive based on marine mussels that easily adhere to different surfaces without affecting the ecosystem. Raji Doshi developed an innovative mitigation technique based on algae and calcium-based materials that can help to lower ocean acidification.
Furthermore, Arika Kundu developed LIGNEX, a radical breakthrough method that repurposes agricultural waste, like empty peanut shells, to remove pesticide residues from fruits and vegetables and increase food safety. In public safety, Sharvi Mahajan developed NeuroDrive Alert, an advanced artificial intelligence-based system for driver fatigue and microsleep monitoring to prevent highway accidents. Naboshree Santra designed biodegradable soil-shade balls to help agricultural landscapes retain moisture content and reduce water evaporation during times of extreme heat and dryness.
As a result of this rigorous competition, the finalists will go through an exclusive mentorship phase with 3M scientists, working side by side to refine their ideas and convert their first prototypes into high-quality prototypes. The competition will end in a live competition at the 3M Innovation Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, on October 12 and 13. The final winner of the competition will receive an award of USD 25,000 and a national position as America's Top Young Scientist.
In the end, the impressive accomplishments of these five students are a testament to young people's curiosity, creativity, and perseverance. Their smart minds, with practical skills and an eye to real-world challenges and the ability to solve them on a daily basis, have opened up new doors to global opportunities for a new generation of innovators.
