13-Year-Old Inventor Wins 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge with Ocean Acidification Solution
Event summary
- Raji Doshi, an 8th grader from Connecticut, won the 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge for her algae-aragonite system to combat ocean acidification.
- Doshi's project demonstrated the efficacy of aragonite in increasing algae biomass and removing carbon dioxide from seawater.
- The competition, now in its 19th year, awarded Doshi a $25,000 cash prize and the title of 'America's Top Young Scientist.'
- Doshi was mentored by Deborah Isabelle, a product engineering specialist at 3M, over the summer to develop her prototype.
The big picture
The 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge highlights the growing emphasis on youth-driven climate innovation, particularly in addressing ocean acidification. 3M's long-standing partnership with Discovery Education underscores the company's commitment to fostering STEM education and real-world problem-solving. The competition's focus on practical, scalable solutions aligns with broader industry trends toward sustainable environmental technologies.
What we're watching
- Scalability Potential
- Whether Doshi's algae-aragonite system can be scaled for broader coastal community implementation.
- Industry Collaboration
- How 3M's partnership with Discovery Education will evolve to support future young scientists.
- Regulatory Impact
- The pace at which regulatory bodies may adopt or mandate such climate solutions for marine ecosystems.