3M and Discovery Education have announced the 2025 3M Young Scientist Challenge winners, selecting 32 state merit winners along with four honorable mention recipients. Among those recognized is Vishagan Aranganathan of Montgomery County. Vishagan, a Kingsview Middle School graduate from Germantown, will be starting his freshman year at Northwest High School in Germantown this fall.
Known as the nation’s premier middle school science competition, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge celebrates exemplary innovations from young scientists that highlight how science can improve the world. Designed for students in grades 5–8, the competition invites participants to submit brief videos outlining their creative solutions to everyday problems. Judges evaluate each entry based on creativity, scientific knowledge, and communication skills.
This year marked an expansion of the competition categories, introducing new entry options in areas such as robotics, home improvement, automotive, safety, AR/VR, and climate technology. Vishagan secured his award with his project titled “AI-Driven Aircraft-Based IR Imaging System for Early Wildfire Detection.” His innovative concept leverages artificial intelligence and infrared imaging technology to potentially revolutionize early wildfire detection, thereby enhancing safety and environmental protection…