NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Atlanta, GA, July 25, 2024: Sirish Subash, a Crews Middle School student and rising 9th grader at Brookwood High School, has been named one of 10 finalists in the prestigious 2024 3M Young Scientist Challenge. This national competition, renowned as the premier middle school science contest, invites students in grades 5-8 to propose innovative solutions to everyday problems, vying for an exclusive mentorship with a 3M scientist, a $25,000 grand prize, and the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.”
Sirish created a method to detect pesticide residue on consumable produce using an AI based handheld detector.
Crews Middle School’s Principal Cindy Moffett expressed immense pride in Sirish’s accomplishments. “Sirish’s creativity and dedication to solving real-world problems through science are truly commendable. We are incredibly proud of his achievements and look forward to seeing his future contributions to the field of science,” she said.
This year, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge finalists, aged 13 to 15, were chosen based on their video submissions, which explained the science behind their proposed solutions. The entries were evaluated by a panel of judges, including 3M scientists and educational leaders, for creativity, scientific knowledge, and communication effectiveness. The grand prize winner will be announced in October at the final event in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Sirish’s journey to the finals is not his first recognition in the field of science. Last spring, he received the Agricultural Research Service Award for Excellence in Agricultural Research at the 76th Georgia Science & Engineering Fair. He was honored in the Junior Division for his invention, PestiSCAND, an AI-based handheld pesticide detector.
Sirish’s entry in the 3M Young Scientist Challenge also revolves around his passion for making agriculture safer. He developed a method to detect pesticide residue on consumable produce using an AI-based handheld detector, a project that has potential to significantly impact food safety and public health.
When asked about his motivation for entering the competition, Sirish said, “Like many other students, my fundamental passion is science. I believe a novel idea is like a seed, such that it will only get so far without the proper guidance and cultivation. The summer mentorship program offers the opportunity to continue developing research into something that may improve lives worldwide.”
Reflecting on his favorite invention of the last century, Sirish highlighted the electronic computer, invented in 1946. “The ability to perfectly perform mass calculations in milliseconds is incredibly useful, and I personally believe very few modern innovations could be materialized without it. It’s amazing that astonishingly complex advancements come from simple ones and zeros.”
Looking to the future, Sirish aspires to contribute significantly to tackling global challenges. “In 15 years, I hope to be designing and building devices that can help make the world a better place, especially with climate change and environmental issues,” he shared.
Sirish’s mentor is Aditya Banerji, a Senior Research Engineer in 3M’s Corporate Research Process Laboratory. He specializes in developing and commercializing products and is a co-inventor on 16 3M invention submissions, resulting in 4 pending patent applications.
Akshadha Mehta is the 2024 Georgia State Merit Winner of the challenge for her submission, FAP-BRIX: A practical solution to lessen plastic pollution.
FAP-BRIX: A PRACTICAL SOLUTION TO LESSEN PLASTIC POLLUTION
For more information about the 3M Young Scientist Challenge and to meet the 2024 finalists, visit YoungScientistLab.com.
