About the Challenge

Frequently Asked Questions

Student FAQ | Teacher FAQ

Student FAQ

1. How do I enter?

It's easy to enter! Go to http://youngscientist.discoveryeducation.com/reg.html and register for the competition. We'll need your zip-code and your parent/guardian's email address. Once you've submitted those pieces of information, an email will go to your parent/guardian asking them to give you permission to enter.

2. Is the competition open to anyone?

If you're in the 5th-8th grade, yes. As the YSC moves into its 10th year we've decided to make Discovery Education/3M new Young Scientist Challenge (previously open only to students in ISEF-affiliated Science Fairs) open to all 5th-8th graders nationwide.

3. What grade to I have to be in to participate?

In order to be eligible to participate, you must be enrolled in 5th-8th grade during the 2007-2008 school year.

4. I don't have a camera, where can I get one?

There are lots of ways to get a camera. Did you know that many cell phones have cameras in them? Digital cameras are also good ways to make a short movie. If you don't have access to either, you can check with your teacher, school media center, or local Public Libraries.

5. How am I judged?

Video entries must demonstrate your understanding of the scientific concept explained and your ability to effectively communicate that concept.

Videos do NOT need to be "produced" or have high production value. Judges are not evaluating production skills. Videos may be recorded on cell phones or simple digital cameras, for example. In addition, local libraries and schools may be able to loan cameras to students.

Entries that follow all of the rules and regulations will be based on the average of scores awarded by a panel of judges using the following rubric.

  • Creativity (20%)
  • Content meets stated contest criteria (30%)
  • Persuasiveness (10%)
  • Classroom suitability (10%)
  • Overall Presentation (30%)
6. Who are the judges? Does Discovery judge the videos?

The video competition is judged by Head Judge Steve Jacobs, as well as judges from Faraday Studios. Discovery has no involvement in the judging process.

7. When and how will I find out if I've won?

You will be contacted via phone/ email to alert you that you are a Semi-Finalist in Mid July. Finalists will be alerted in late August.

8. What happens at the finals?

In early October, 10 student finalists receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, DC for the competition finals, consisting of a series of individual and team challenges, some of them in front of a live audience. These age-appropriate challenges are developed and administered by Head Judge Steve Jacobs, science educator, creator of "Jake's Attic" and founder of Faraday Studios. Finalists will be judged on their communication and scientific problem solving skills.

9. What are the student prizes?
SemiFinalists (51 - one from each State and the District of Columbia)
  • $250 Cash
  • Tee-shirt
  • Plaque for Middle School
  • Plaque for Student's Teacher
  • Certificate
Finalists (10 – chosen from the 51 SemiFinalists)
  • An all expense paid 4-night, 3-day trip, October 4-7, 2008 for the student and ONE parent/guardian to Washington, D.C.
  • $1,000
  • A YSC Medal
  • Special YSC finalist apparel
  • A chance to win various prize trips (in the past we've set students to Space Camp, on a trip with Rangers at Grand Tetons, etc).
First Place
  • All of the above (except for the $1,000) PLUS
  • A U.S. Savings Bond for $50,000 (Cash value $25K)
  • A trophy
  • The title of "America's Top Young Scientist"
10. I forgot my username/password, how can I find it?

When you registered, your username and password were emailed to you and your parent.

11. Why do my parents have to grant permission for me to enter?

In compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998, Parental consent is needed for any person under the age of 13 years to give personal information to a third party over the internet. In the case of our competition, your parent needs to grant consent for us to receive your entry.

12. I got nominated for the YSC at my State Science Olympiad competition. What does that mean?

If you were nominated at a State Science Olympiad competition, that means that through your participation and achievements with Science Olympiad, we have selected you to by-pass the first round of judging and go straight to the quarterfinalist level.

13. I got nominated for the YSC at my Local, State or Regional Science Fair. What does that mean? Is my video supposed to be about my Science Fair Project?

If you were nominated at a State Science Fair, that means that through your participation and achievements in Science Fair, we have selected you to by-pass the first round of judging and go straight to the quarterfinalist level. Your video should NOT be about your Science Fair Project. In order to judge everyone on an even playing field, we have pre-selected 5 topics that you may make your video about. We challenge you to create a one-to-two minute video about one of these topics, all of which have to do with this year's theme "The Science of Space"

14. Are there rules and guidelines about how to make my video?

Yes, it is very important that you read and comply with the Official Rules and Regulations and Safety Guidelines. They are available at http://youngscientist.discoveryeducation.com/about/student_rules.html.

15. Are there examples of successful videos that I can watch?

For examples of the types of videos we are looking for, you can check out http://youngscientist.discoveryeducation.com/getstarted.html

16. Are there other resources that I can explore?

Check out our links page at www.discoveryeducation.com/youngscientist!

17. What if I have a question that is not addressed here?

Contact us at YSC@Discovery.com

Teacher FAQ

1. What is the teacher competition?

In 2008, the YSC will feature a teacher competition. Beginning March 1st, teachers who are members of the Discovery Educator Network (DEN), are invited to enter. DEN teachers will be asked to submit a video entry, as outlined in the rules on the official entry form. In late August, 5 teachers will be selected as National finalists. They will receive an all-expense paid trip to D.C. October 4-7, 2008 to participate in the competition finals. Teachers will compete in a series of individual and team challenges, some of them in front of a live audience. At the end of the competition, judges will award the top teacher with a special prize.

2. How do I enter the teacher competition? What if I'm not a DEN Teacher? How do I join?

Members of the DEN may enter the competition starting March 1st at www.discoveryeducation.com/youngscientist
To find out more information about the DEN, and how to join it, go to http://community.discoveryeducation.com/about/about_den/
Want to become a member of the DEN? Go to: http://community.discoveryeducation.com/about/become_discovery_educator

3. Is the competition open to any teacher?

The YSC is open to all Science Teachers who are members of the Discovery Educator Network.

4. How am I judged?

Video entries must demonstrate your understanding of the scientific concept explained and your ability to effectively communicate that concept.

Videos do NOT need to be "produced" or have high production value. Judges are not evaluating production skills. Videos may be recorded on cell phones or simple digital cameras, for example.

Entries that follow all of the rules and regulations will be based on the average of scores awarded by a panel of judges using the following rubric.

  • Creativity (20%)
  • Content meets stated contest criteria (30%)
  • Persuasiveness (10%)
  • Classroom suitability (10%)
  • Overall Presentation (30%)
5. Who are the judges? Does Discovery judge the videos?

The video competition is judged Head Judge Steve Jacobs, as well as judges from Faraday Studios. Discovery has no involvement in the judging process.

6. When and how will I find out if I've won?

You will be contacted via phone/ email to alert you that you are a Finalist in late August.

7. What happens at the finals?

In early October, 5 finalists receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, DC for the competition finals, consisting of a series of individual and team challenges, some of them in front of a live audience. These challenges are developed and administered by Head Judge Steve Jacobs, science educator, creator of "Jake's Attic" and founder of Faraday Studios. Finalists will be judged on their communication and scientific problem solving skills.

8. What are the Educator prizes?
Finalists (5)
  • An all expense paid 4-night, 3-day trip, October 4-7, 2008 for the Educator to Washington, D.C.
  • A YSC Medal
  • Special YSC finalist apparel
  • A chance to win special prizes
First Place
  • All of the above PLUS
  • A trophy
  • The title of "DEN's Top Science Teacher of the Year"
9. I forgot my username/password, how can I find it?

When you registered, your username and password were emailed to you.

10. Are there rules and guidelines about how to make my video?

Yes, it is very important that you read and comply with the Official Rules and Regulations and Safety Guidelines. They are available at http://youngscientist.discoveryeducation.com/about/teacher_rules.html

11. Are there other resources that I can explore?

Check out our links page at www.discoveryeducation.com/youngscientist

12. What if I have a question that is not addressed here?

Contact us at YSC@Discovery.com