Reston Student National 3M Discovery Finalist

Reston's Srijay Kasturi  has been selected as a top 10 finalist in the 15th annual Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, a national science competition for students in grades 5-8. 

Kasturi, 12, is homeschooled. Katsuri's interests include filmmaking and computer science, so for his project he created an innovative camera tripod.

For the contest, children submitted a short video describing a new innovative solution that would impact an everyday problem.  Katsuri's video is attached to this story.

Each finalist will have an opportunity to work directly with a 3M scientist this summer, and the finalist will be challenged to identify an everyday problem and create an innovative solution, a contest spokesman said.

Mentors will provide guidance as the finalist develops their idea from a concept into an actual prototype, which they will present during the competition's final event at the 3M Innovation Center in St. Paul, Minn. 

The finalists will also receive $1,000 and be awarded a trip to 3M Headquarters to participate in the final competition from Oct. 6-8. Students will demonstrate their skills in a series of three different challenges, including a presentation of their completed innovation.

The winner will receive $25,000, a trip from Discovery Student Adventures and the title of "America's Top Young Scientist."

The other finalists are: 

• Maureen Botros, Wichita, Kan., Homeschool
• Anish Chaluvadi, Simpsonville, S.C., Langston Charter Middle School
• Daniel Culver, Montrose, Colo., Columbine Middle School
• Timmy DeMember, Monrovia, Md., Windsor Knolls Middle School
• Katie Hudek, Grafton, Mass., Homeschool
• Edward Kim, Waco, Texas, Midway Middle School
  
• Brooke Martin, Spokane, Wash., Odyssey School at the Libby Center
• Peyton Robertson, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Pine Crest School
• Aishani Sil, Plano, Texas, Rice Middle School