Earlier this week, representatives from Discovery Education and 3M, a distinguished judges panel and this year’s class of Young Scientist Challenge finalists met in St. Paul, Minn., at the 3M Innovation Center, for the final competition in the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge. In this last step of the challenge, finalists presented the innovations they developed while working with their 3M scientist throughout the summer. Over the course of the two-day event, the finalists were also tasked with completing two additional challenges: 1) combine multiple 3M technologies to yield new solutions; and 2) build a machine designed to turn on a light bulb using science and engineering principles.

The panel of judges evaluated the students’ scientific knowledge, creativity and use of 3M technology, ultimately naming 11-year-old Peyton Robertson from Ft. Launderdale, FL as the winner. Robertson’s winning innovation, a new sandbag design that would better protect flood zones against salt-water damage, earned him the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist,” $25,000 and a trip to Costa Rica from Discovery Student Adventures. Chris Jacobs, host of Velocity’s Overhaulin’, served as emcee for the awards banquet.

The other nine finalists in the competition went home with $1,000 cash prizes and other exciting prizes from Discovery and 3M.

Check out a video recap below, and congratulations to all the Young Scientists!