Kiyara Gunawardena of Temecula was selected as a top 10 finalist in the 2025 3M Young Scientist Challenge for her low-cost underwater robot named CORAL. Valley News/Courtesy photo
ST. PAUL, MN & CHARLOTTE, NC – 3M and Discovery Education announced the 2025 3M Young Scientist Challenge top 10 finalists, which includes Kiyara Gunawardena of Temecula. The annual 3M Young Scientist Challenge invites students in grades 5-8 to compete for an exclusive mentorship with a 3M scientist, a $25,000 grand prize, and the chance to earn the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.”Gunawardena is a 5th-grade student at Abby Reinke Elementary School in the Temecula Valley Unified School District.The other 9 finalists of the 2025 3M Young Scientist Challenge are as follows:Shrey Arora, Collierville, TN, West Collierville Middle School, Collierville Schools
Divyam Desai, Frisco, TX, Hunt Middle School, Frisco Independent School District (FISD)
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