St. Paul – October 14, 2026 -- 3M and Discovery Education named 8th grader Raji Doshi of Farmington, Connecticut, the winner of the 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge, awarding her a $25,000 cash prize and the title of "America's Top Young Scientist." Doshi, who attends Stanford Online High School, won with a natural algae-and-aragonite system designed to counter ocean acidification.
Doshi beat nine other finalists in final events at 3M headquarters
Doshi competed through the summer against nine other finalists, ages 11 to 14. She secured the win during final Challenge events at 3M global headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Oct. 12 and 13, 2026.
Each finalist identified an everyday problem, developed a solution and pitched it in a one- to two-minute video. Proposals aligned to 3M technology platforms including climate tech and safety. Judges scored creativity, scientific knowledge, communication effectiveness, ingenuity, application of STEM principles and demonstration of research.
Algae-aragonite system targets coastal acidification and dissolved CO2
Doshi's project, titled "Engineering a Novel Durable Algae-Aragonite Alkalinity System to Reduce CO2-Driven Ocean Acidification," tests whether macroalgae cultivation paired with natural calcium carbonate buffers can form a durable, low-cost system. The system aims to raise alkalinity and remove carbon dioxide from seawater.
Her carbonate chemistry analysis showed that aragonite increased algae biomass, removed carbon dioxide and substantially lowered dissolved carbon dioxide. She also built a Michaelis-Menten computational model to identify an optimal aragonite dose, a step toward making climate solutions more practical for coastal communities.
3M engineer mentored Doshi from concept to prototype
Every finalist is paired with a 3M scientist for one-on-one mentoring over the summer. Doshi worked with Deborah Isabelle, a product engineering specialist at 3M. Isabelle said Doshi's interest in collecting seashells, and her concern that acidification damages shells and the creatures inside them, led her to create ALKACORE.
William Brown, 3M Chairman and CEO, said the finalists' talent and creativity were "exceptional."
Two runners-up receive $1,000 prizes each
The second- and third-place winners also receive $1,000 prizes:
- Aaisha Asif, 7th grader, Sarasota, Fla.
- Sharvi Mahajan, 9th grader, San Diego, Calif.
The other top finalists, listed alphabetically, are Ahmed Abdelsalam (Cambridge, Mass.), Aiden Jo (Houston, Texas), Roy Kim (Beaverton, Ore.), Arika Kundu (Shorewood, Minn.), Millie Pradawong (Fairfax, Va.), Naboshree Santra (Oviedo, Fla.) and Abigail Stein (Nashville, Tenn.).
Program enters 19th year with an alumni network of more than 100
Brian Shaw, CEO of Discovery Education, said the 19-year partnership with 3M pairs students with working scientists who coach them from ideation to working prototype. Former winners have given TED Talks, filed patents, founded nonprofits and made the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
A Young Scientist Challenge Alumni Network, formed in fall 2022, includes more than 100 former winners, finalists and mentors. The competition supplements the Young Scientist Lab, which offers no-cost digital resources for students, teachers and families, also available on Discovery Education Experience.