FAU HIGH STUDENT NAMED 'AMERICA'S TOP YOUNG SCIENTIST'

From left to right: Bill Goodwyn, president and CEO of Discovery Education, Kim Price, vice president of 3Mgives, and Hannah Herbst.

by KELSIE WEEKES | Wednesday, Oct 14, 2015

Florida Atlantic University High School student Hannah Herbst was named the winner of the 2015 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, recently held at the 3M Innovation Center in St. Paul, Minn.

Herbst, 15, a ninth-grader, beat nine other finalists during a live competition to take home the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist” along with a $25,000 cash prize.

With help from a 3M scientist, Herbst created an ocean energy probe prototype that aims to provide a stable power source to developing countries by using untapped energy from ocean currents. The idea was inspired by her pen pal living in Ethiopia who lacks a reliable source of power and electricity.

“We are so proud of Hannah and excited that our students are taking advantage of opportunities outside of the classroom,” said Tammy Ferguson, director of A.D. Henderson University School and FAU High School. “My vision is for our students to continue to participate in opportunities like the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge to apply their STEM knowledge to real-world problems.”

The goal of the competition was to apply science to everyday life and create a solution that will improve lives and strengthen communities around the world. The 10 finalists were judged on creativity, innovative thinking, scientific knowledge, and communication skills.

Herbst plans to give a portion of her $25,000 to her pen pal who inspired her invention. She also plans to give a portion to A.D. Henderson University School to put toward enhancing the school’s facilities.

For more information about the 2015 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, visit www.youngscientistchallenge.com.

-FAU-