National Opportunities & Learning Materials

  • 3M Young Scientist Lab - Discovery Education and 3M team up in the Young Scientist Lab to spark curiosity and inspire the next generation of innovators. With hands-on DIY experiments, standards-aligned resources, and the annual 3M Young Scientist Challenge, STEM learning is made fun, accessible, and exciting for K–8 students.
  • The Journal of Emerging Investigators is a science journal and mentorship program publishing research by middle school scientists. Resources also include a mini-PhD program and an "Ask a scientist" initiative.
  • Dasia Taylor's NERD STEM Box includes instructional videos that dive into creative hands-on science experiments and explore chemistry and innovation.

STEM Opportunities in Iowa or the Midwest

  • UI Health Care hosts STEM education experiences for students K-12 annually at the University of Iowa campus, at outreach events, and at special events with educational and community partners.
    • Kids Go STEM invites students of grades 6–8 (and all curious minds) to a free, hands-on morning of medical simulations, experiments, and career exploration with University of Iowa health and STEM experts. Parents can join special presentations on STEM, academics, and adolescent health. Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025 | 9 AM–12 PM | UI Carver College of Medicine.
  • The Belin-Blank Center at University of Iowa believes that students deserve the chance to learn new things, develop their talents, and make friends who share their interests and abilities. Whether you're looking for a fun way to spend your summer, a way to add challenge to your school day, or even to start college early, we have something to meet your unique needs as a gifted learner.
  • The Iowa 4-H Youth Development’s State Science + Technology Fair of Iowa (SSTFI) serves as a platform for student researchers (grades 6–12) to meet with professional researchers and communicate their findings and understanding of the research process.
Heman Bekele

Introducing Heman Bekele

2023 Top Young Scientist and TIME's 2024 Kid of the Year

At just 14 years old, Heman Bekele was named the winner of the 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge and "America’s Top Young Scientist" for creating a low-cost cancer-fighting soap. His soap delivers therapeutic agents directly to the skin in a simple, accessible form—an idea that earned him national recognition and the title of TIME’s 2024 Kid of the Year. Check out this interview about his experience.