Sirish Subash, a ninth-grade student from Snellville, Georgia, has claimed first place in the prestigious 2024 3M Young Scientist Challenge, a renowned competition held in St. Paul, Minnesota. Attending the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology, Sirish earned the top honor with his invention, “Pestiscand,” an AI-powered handheld pesticide detector. His creation secured him a USD 25,000 prize and the esteemed title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.”
Organized by 3M and Discovery Education, the competition brought together ten exceptional finalists, each having spent months refining their projects. Sirish’s Pestiscand stood out for its practical application and creativity. The device uses spectrophotometry to non-invasively detect pesticide residues on fruits and vegetables, analyzing the data through a machine learning model. During trials, the invention demonstrated over 85% accuracy in identifying residues on spinach and tomatoes, achieving its goals of speed and efficiency.
Participants in the competition were evaluated based on their creativity, application of STEM principles, and presentation skills. They also engaged in interactive challenges at 3M’s global headquarters, where they were mentored by 3M scientists. Sirish worked closely with his mentor, Aditya Banerji, Senior Research Engineer at 3M, to bring his innovative concept to life.
Second place was awarded to Minula Weerasekera, a ninth grader from Oregon, for his breakthrough in energy storage using organic compounds. Third place went to William Tan from New York for his AI-powered Smart Artificial Reef designed to promote marine life growth. Both runners-up received USD 2,000 each for their inventions.
Now in its 17th year, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge continues to inspire young innovators to apply STEM knowledge to real-world problems. Many participants have gone on to file patents, deliver TED Talks, and achieve prestigious recognition, such as making it to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list. This initiative, backed by 3M and Discovery Education, aims to equip the next generation of innovators with the mentorship and resources needed to bring their ideas to life.
