Florida sixth grader Naboshree Santra created non-perishable soil shade balls designed to reduce evaporation and retain moisture; the 11-year-old is now competing for a $25,000 science prize

Naboshree Santra developed non-perishable soil balls that reduce evaporation and help soil retain moisture, providing a simple solution for drought-sensitive agriculture.

An 11-year-old girl from Oviedo, Florida, has developed a simple device to help farmers conserve water during the rainy season. Naboshree Santra, a sixth grader at Jackson Heights Middle School, created special clay balls that break naturally. These balls reduce water runoff and help keep the soil moist for longer. His idea has earned him a place in the finals of the 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge, where he could win the grand prize of $25,000.According to a July 6 press release from 3M and Discovery Education, Naboshree is among 10 students selected nationwide for the 19th annual competition. The competition asks 5th through 8th graders to use science, technology, engineering, and math to solve real-world, everyday problems.The profile on the Young Scientist Lab website shows his work with natural resources. He developed his invention as a simple, environmentally friendly way to support dry gardens. In her biography, Naboshree explained why she wanted to participate in the competition and work with scientists.“As I have been working on my drought relief project, I have realized that there is much to improve and improve,” said Naboshree. “I entered the 3M Young Scientist Challenge because I want to better understand how my renewable mulch can be made into something more useful in the real world. I am especially looking forward to advice and comments from experts, as this will help me see gaps in my approach and improve how the product works for people affected by drought. I love learning and incorporating new ideas that I would not have thought of on my own. At the same time, I am happy to learn from my colleagues who are working to solve their problems, and see how their ideas can connect or change my work, and how they can do the same for theirs. “

Preparing for the final round

The competition matches each finisher with a 3M scientist who will lead them this summer. This gives students the opportunity to test and refine their creations before reaching the final stage. On October 12 and 13, all 10 students will go to the 3M Innovation Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. There, they will present their final project, answer questions from the judges, and participate in scientific activities. The top winner will take home $25,000 and the title of America’s Top Young Scientist.Leaders from planning companies spoke about the main purpose of the project in the media.“The 3M Young Scientist Challenge brings together students’ passion, scientific ideas and 3M’s mentorship to turn great ideas into real solutions,” said William Brown, 3M Chairman and CEO. “3M is focused on helping these young innovators strengthen their ideas and use science in ways that can make a big difference.”Brian Shaw, chief executive officer at Discovery Education, shared similar sentiments in the statement.“The finalists of the 3M Young Scientist Challenge show that you can be a scientist at any age,” said Brian Shaw, CEO of Discovery Education. “Each amazing student pursued their passion, turning an idea into an art. We can’t wait to see where their ideas take them.”

A nationwide search for brilliant ideas

To enter, students had to submit a short video of one to two minutes to explain their ideas. Judges rated the entries for clarity, scientific knowledge, and originality. Projects had to fit into 3M’s most important areas, such as Climate Tech or Safety.The 2026 finalists are between the ages of 11 and 14. Along with Naboshree, the finalists include:

Finding answers step by step

Apart from his work on drought tools, Naboshree enjoys tackling fun brain teasers. His profile on the Young Scientist Lab website lists the Rubik’s Cube as his favorite invention of the past 100 years. He sees the toy as proof that big, complex problems can be solved with common sense. He says playing with the cube taught him patience and showed him that challenges are small steps waiting for the right path.Looking to the future, the 11-year-old already has clear plans. In 15 years, he hopes to work as a scientist using natural resources to create natural products that benefit the planet.The final winner in October will join a long list of previous winners. Past finalists have tackled issues such as clean water, air pollution, computer security, and saving ocean reefs. The competition created an Alumni Network in 2022 to connect finalists with mentors. Previous winner Gitanjali Rao was named TIME’s first Child of the Year in 2020. Liam McCarty made the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2022, and Heman Bekele was named TIME’s Child of the Year in 2024. The learning materials for the competition are open to all students and teachers through the Young Scientist Lab website, a free project managed by 3M and Discovery Education.