Middle School Science Student From Ellington Wins State Competition

ELLINGTON, CT — An Ellington resident has been selected as Connecticut's winner of the 3M Young Scientist Challenge for 2023. Rithvik Suren, who attends the Capitol Region Education Council Academy of Science and Innovation in New Britain, was one of 24 State Merit Winners and four honorable mention recipients announced Monday by 3M and Discovery Education. His project involved a muon-powered electricity generator.

As the nation’s premier middle school science competition, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge features outstanding innovations from young scientists that utilize the power of science to improve the world.

"This award is a great milestone in my STEM endeavors, as I have already won the Hartford Athletic STEM project contest along with two other students," Suren said in an email to Patch. "I would love to continue representing Connecticut in the future."

To enter, students in grades 5-8 submit a one-to-two-minute video explaining an original idea using science to help solve an everyday problem. All entries are reviewed by a diverse group of judges and evaluated on their creativity, scientific knowledge, and communication skills. Videos can be recorded using a cell phone or digital camera and are not judged on production skills.

"The 3M Young Scientist Challenge demonstrates how harnessing the power of people, ideas, and science to reimagine what’s possible can help shape a brighter future," 3M executive vice president John Banovetz said in a written release. "The 2023 state merit winners are already making the world a better place through groundbreaking STEM thinking and innovation."

The 24 nationwide winners and honorable mention selections were chosen for their passion for science, innovation, and superb communication skills. Each State Merit Winner receives special recognition on the challenge website, along with a special technology prize pack.