Sirish Subash, a 9th-grade student at Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology in Snellville, Georgia, has been named the winner of the 2024 3M Young Scientist Challenge, a prestigious science competition for middle school students. His innovative project, Pestiscand, is an AI handheld pesticide detector that uses spectrophotometry to detect pesticide residues on produce.
During the final Challenge events at 3M global headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota, Sirish competed against nine other finalists and impressed the judges with his ingenuity, passion for research, and presentation skills. As the grand prize winner, he received a $25,000 cash prize and the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.”
Sirish’s Pestiscand device consists of a sensor, power supply, display screen, and processor, and it achieved an accuracy rate of over 85% in identifying pesticide residues on spinach and tomatoes. His mentor, Aditya Banerji, a Senior Research Engineer at 3M, worked with him to develop his idea from concept to prototype over the summer.
In addition to Sirish, the second and third place winners of the Young Scientist Challenge were Minula Weerasekera from Beaverton, Oregon, and William Tan from Scarsdale, New York. Minula developed a solution for storing energy using organic compounds, while William created an AI Smart Artificial Reef to promote marine life growth in a safe environment.
The fourth through tenth place winners each received a $1,000 prize and a $500 gift card for their outstanding projects. These students showcased their creativity and problem-solving skills in addressing real-world challenges through STEM principles.
The 3M Young Scientist Challenge has been inspiring and challenging middle school students for 17 years, encouraging them to think creatively and apply STEM knowledge to find solutions to global issues. The competition has produced top young scientists who have gone on to achieve notable success, including giving TED Talks, filing patents, and being featured in prestigious publications.
Through the Young Scientist Lab program, 3M and Discovery Education provide free digital resources for students, teachers, and families to explore and innovate in the world of science. The competition aims to empower the next generation of innovators and problem solvers who will make a positive impact on society.
To learn more about the 3M Young Scientist Challenge and meet this year’s winners and finalists, visit youngscientistlab.com. The competition continues to foster a community of young scientists who are passionate about making a difference through science and technology.
