Young West Hartford Scientist Earns National Honor

Discovery Education/3M

WEST HARTFORD, CT – One West Hartford middle school student has won Connecticut's top honor in a national academic competition for young scientists.

3M and Discovery Education recently announced the 2025 3M Young Scientist Challenge.

This year, Aaron Shamshtein, a student at King Philip Middle School of the West Hartford School District, was selected as the state merit winner for Connecticut.

Shamshtein was one of 32 state merit winners and four honorable mention recipients nationally.

The 3M Young Scientist Challenge features outstanding innovations from young scientists that demonstrate the power of science to improve the world.

To enter the competition, students in grades 5-8 submit a brief video explaining their original idea to solve an everyday problem using science, which is evaluated for their creativity, scientific knowledge, and communication skills.

This year, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge offered students a set of new entry categories, including robotics, home improvement, automotive, safety, AR/VR, and climate technology.

“The projects submitted to the 3M Young Scientist Challenge underscore science’s critical role in driving progress,” said Torie Clarke, 3M's executive vice president and chief public affairs officer. “We applaud these students for making the world a better place through their innovative spirit. I’m proud 3M is inspiring students to use science and technology to address global challenges.”

Each year, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge recognizes the grand prize winner, 10 finalists, four honorable mentions, and up to 51 state merit winners – nationwide and in Washington, D.C.

The 32 state merit winners and four honorable mention recipients for this year’s competition were selected based on their passion for science and innovation, and superb communication skills.

Each state merit winner receives special recognition on the challenge website, along with a prize pack.

"The 3M Young Scientist Challenge inspires student curiosity and helps build confidence by connecting what’s learned in the classroom to the real world in tangible and hands-on ways,” said Amy Nakamoto, executive vice president of marketing and corporate partnerships at Discovery Education. “Congratulations to each of the students honored for your effort to use science to create a better world.”

To learn more about the 3M Young Scientist Challenge and meet the 2025 competitors, visit YoungScientistLab.com.