Discovery Education and 3M are looking for students in grades 5-8 who are enthusiastic about science.

The top 10 students will receive a trip to the 3M Innovation Center in St. Paul, MN to compete for the chance to win $25,000!

It’s no secret that STEM is a hot button topic in education today, with the number of U.S. students pursuing these areas in college on the decline.

However, teachers have made monumental strides in inspiring their students – nearly 4 in 5 STEM college students (78%) decided to study their discipline in high school or earlier and more than half (57%) credit a middle/high school teacher with igniting their interest in STEM*.

Now, teachers can further develop promising young students in the STEM by encouraging them to enter the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge.

The first-place winner of this annual competition is awarded $25,000 and the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.”

The 2013 competition is now open.

For additional information and to enter visit the Young Scientist Challenge.