Meet The 9th Grade Georgia Student Who is America’s Top Young Scientist

Sirish Subash, a ninth grader at Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology, has been crowned “America’s Top Young Scientist” after winning the 2024 3M Young Scientist Challenge.

Subash developed a groundbreaking AI-powered handheld pesticide detector named Pestiscand, earning him a $25,000 grand prize.

Just The Facts:

• Sirish Subash was an eighth grader at Crews Middle School when he invented Pestiscand.

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• Pestiscand uses spectrophotometry and machine learning to detect pesticide residues on produce without causing damage.

• The 3M Young Scientist Challenge is co-hosted by 3M and Discovery Education.

• Subash competed against nine other finalists from across the nation.

• The competition took place at 3M’s global headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota, on October 14-15, 2024.

The Details: Jessica Holden, Science Director for Gwinnett County Public Schools, lauded Sirish’s achievement, calling it one of the most prestigious science awards for middle school students. Sirish’s journey began at the Gwinnett Regional Science Fair in 2024, where his project was first recognized.

Sirish’s winning streak includes the Pinnacle Award at the Georgia Science & Engineering Fair and national recognition at the Thermo Fisher Junior Innovators Challenge.

In Context: The 3M Young Scientist Challenge, now in its 17th year, is a leading middle school science competition in the U.S., encouraging students to solve real-world problems through STEM. The challenge has a history of nurturing young innovators who go on to make significant contributions in various scientific fields.

Why It Matters: Sirish’s invention could revolutionize how pesticide residues are detected, making produce safer for consumers.