TOP scientists! Double-click on what makes them TICK

Nobel prize season is an exciting time. As the awards are announced, it is interesting to learn about the scientists and their ground-breaking discoveries. From the workings of the outer space to the inner workings of human body, the award-winning research scans the spectrum. In fact, the jet-lag I am feeling, having returned from a trip to India, can be explained by Nobel Prize winning work awarded in 2017! Three American scientists were recipients that year for their discoveries of the molecular mechanisms controlling the circadian rhythm - the natural, internal process that regulates our sleep-wake cycles. This rhythm is disrupted when we travel across time zones because of the temporary mismatch between the external environment and our internal biological clock, leading to jet-lag. The molecular circuitry of the body’s clock responds and adjusts to different phases of the day – that critical relationship with the external environment makes us tick.

The Nobel announcements usually also coincide with excitement building around 3M Young Scientist Challenge. It is the nation’s premier science competition for grades 5-8. In its fourteenth year, this competition?continues to inspire and challenge middle school students to think creatively and apply the power of STEM to discovering real-world solutions. America’s Top Young Scientists have gone on to give TED Talks, found nonprofits, make the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, and become role-models who inspire many other young students.?

Top of mind

Over the years I have had the chance to interact with these young scientists and get to know them and learn about their projects. I find myself in awe of their desire to solve scientific problems and their innovative efforts towards the goal. The problems they pick aren’t trivial and the passion they show is nothing short of inspirational: an 11-year-old trying to develop a mobile app capable of detecting lead in water, a 13-year-old trying to treat pancreatic cancer with Artificial Intelligence, a 14-year-old working on replacing antibiotics with nanoparticle bandages to reduce the risk of super-bugs. Year after year, we see projects of the same ilk and students with the same dedication towards their endeavors. Through the support of 3M scientists as mentors, these students continue their complex projects and make headway towards working prototypes.

This year again, we had many projects geared towards healthcare and sustainability challenges. These two topics, as we learned in the 3M State of Science Index results as well, are top of mind for the general public. It is no surprise they featured in the selected entries, which included development of deep neural networks to more accurately diagnose and treat diseases,?personalized music therapy treatment for mental health disorders, a solution for controlling harmful algal blooms and a way to remove microplastics and oil from contaminated water, to name a few. Most of the students, girls and boys, talked about the sense of purpose they feel in solving such challenges.

Top of the game

As I interact with these students it is very clear that they are talented. This comes across in their description of their projects, explanation of why they chose them and the approaches they have taken to tackle each problem. Their intellectual capabilities are on display along with their projects as they give thoughtful answers to a wide range of questions and acknowledge the questions their research has raised. It is evident that they are curious about the topic at hand and that drove them to find answers. In fact, many of the projects start with the student having a curiosity about an observation or a challenge that they or someone around them has encountered. They were unafraid to learn and have worked hard to gather knowledge about the problem they want to solve and information about existing solutions to that problem and how to improve upon it. Perhaps these are the hallmark characteristics of those who go on to become top scientists in their fields.

To a casual observer it may seem that their innate talent, keen intellect, sense of curiosity and hunger for knowledge led them here.

Top it all..

However, deeper discussions, and their stories, further highlight what it really takes to get to this level. Virtually all of them talk about many failures along the way - paths that were pursued that didn’t yield the desired results. The tenacity and persistence they showed has been critical in their journey so far and vital to their success to-date. They have demonstrated determination and a sense of resilience that held them in good stead during their projects and serves well to prepare them for life. They continued on, despite running into challenges – and maintained the same strong sense of initiative that got them on this path to take on a tough problem and apply their talent and intellect to find solutions. That sense of initiative is a critical driver of their continued efforts.

Many start their project presentations with what got them wondering and what they were curious about. But soon enough you realize the creativity that underlies their approaches to solving the problem. They figured out creative ways to connect and collaborate with those in the field. It is also impressive to see young students who are seemingly unencumbered by prior path dependence to solving the problem and seek out creative solutions boldly. That’s a great reminder for us adults - as our curiosity often dims and creativity dulls as we gain expertise and experience. These young scientists are also a great example of not just accumulating knowledge about a topic but putting it to action with know-how to turn their ideas into reality. The balance between knowledge and know-how they represent, the iterative strategy most of them used and the adoption of technology along the way is exemplary from a problem-solving standpoint.?

If talent, intellect, curiosity and knowledge got them started along this path – it is really the tenacity, initiative, creativity and know-how that propelled them along in their diligent efforts. The double-click so as to speak allows one to get to the bottom of how they got to the top… what really makes them TICK:

Talent and tenacity

Intellect and initiative

Curiosity and creativity

Knowledge and know-how

So how do we inspire more students? How do we get an uptick in underrepresented minorities aspiring to pursue science and become professionals in STEM?

Room at the TOP

The critical role of strong support from parents, teachers, and the scientific community is very evident in the case of these top young scientists. I have previously talked about “the village” it takes for them become well-informed problem-solvers capable of navigating uncertainty and complexity. These budding scientists exude personal passion but understand the contributions of others and the criticality of support, exposure and access they have had.

However often times, the odds are stacked against those that are underrepresented. Many factors such as gender, race, nationality, and socioeconomic status at birth can serve to impact the outcomes with no relationship to talent, or, to effort. In fact, recent 3M State of Science Index results reveal that among those who were discouraged to pursue science, a big factor was the inequity they felt related to their race, gender or ethnicity. If the resources, rewards and recognition always go to those who have been successful in the past it fortifies the underlying assumption that only those who have been successful are competent. It is well accepted that it’s not just the lack of resources, exposure, and access but systemic “benign discouragement and active exclusion” that can hinder participation and deter bright young minds from pursuing science.

To create more room at the TOP we need to equip them with the Toolbox, provide access to Opportunities and address systemic Privilege.

At 3M we are taking a multi-pronged approach in trying to address these issues across the spectrum - with support, encouragement, exposure, engagement and advocacy through our various STEM initiatives. It is reflected in one of our most recent global, education-focused goal. The company will advance economic equity by creating five million unique STEM and skilled trades learning experiences for underrepresented individuals by the end of 2025. And our recent docuseries “Not the Science Type” aims to shatter stereotypes. We need more diverse role-models and we need adequate representation of underrepresented minorities in STEM. We also need more diversity in rewards and recognition - from the local to the Nobel level.

It all adds up to make a difference.?After all, there is a strong role of external factors in what make us all TICK.