Heman Bekele, Winner of 3M's Young Scientist Challenge, Named Time's 2024 Kid of the Year

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Heman Bekele, winner of 3M's Young Scientist Challenge in 2023, has been named TIME's 2024 Kid of the Year. Heman invented a soap that could potentially treat and prevent skin cancer, the most common cancer in the United States with an annual treatment cost of $8.1 billion. His invention aims to provide an affordable solution to this widespread health issue.

Heman's mentor, 3M engineer Deboarh Isabelle, praised his intelligence, compassion, and potential to make a positive impact. This marks the second time a 3M Young Scientist Challenge winner has received this honor, following Gitanjali Rao in 2020.

The 2024 3M Young Scientist Challenge finalists have been announced, with the competition's final event scheduled for October 14-15, 2024, at the 3M Innovation Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. The winner will receive a $25,000 grand prize and the title of "America's Top Young Scientist."

Originally published on 3M News Center

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / August 19, 2024 / Heman Bekele, who won 3M's Young Scientist Challenge in 2023 after inventing a soap that could someday help treat and prevent skin cancer, has been named TIME's 2024 Kid of the Year.

TIME said it was Heman's "ambition" and "selflessness" that earned him the recognition.

"I'm really passionate about skin-cancer research," Heman told TIME. "Whether it's my own research or what's happening in the field. It's absolutely incredible to think that one day my bar of soap will be able to make a direct impact on somebody else's life. That's the reason I started this all in the first place."

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, with an average annual treatment cost of $8.1 billion. Inspired by this costly and widespread health issue, Heman developed an affordable soap solution that could positively impact skin cancer outcomes. Over the next five years, he hopes to refine this novel innovation and create a nonprofit organization that will distribute this low-cost solution to communities in need.

3M engineer Deboarh Isabelle, who was Heman's mentor during the Young Scientist Challenge competition, said the TIME Kid of the Year honor was well deserved.

"Heman is an incredible charismatic, curious, intelligent, articulate young man," Deboarh said. "But more than that, he's compassionate and has a heart for people. He's created an invention that has the potential to the make the world better for so many people."

Heman is the second 3M Young Scientist Challenge winner to be honored by TIME. Gitanjali Rao, named America's Top Young Scientist in 2017, was the first TIME Kid of the Year in 2020.

Recently, 3M and Discovery Education announced the 2024 3M Young Scientist Challenge top 10 finalists. As the nation's premier middle school science competition, the annual 3M Young Scientist Challenge invites students in grades 5-8 to compete for an exclusive mentorship with a 3M scientist, a $25,000 grand prize, and the chance to earn the title of "America's Top Young Scientist."

The competition's culminating event-where America's Top Young Scientist will be named-will take place October 14-15, 2024, at the 3M Innovation Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.

You can learn more about the 3M Young Scientist Challenge and meet the 2024 finalists, by visiting YoungScientistLab.com.

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View the original press release on accesswire.com

FAQ

Who won TIME's 2024 Kid of the Year award?

Heman Bekele, the winner of 3M's Young Scientist Challenge in 2023, was named TIME's 2024 Kid of the Year for his invention of a soap that could potentially treat and prevent skin cancer.

What did Heman Bekele invent to win the 3M Young Scientist Challenge?

Heman Bekele invented an affordable soap solution that could help treat and prevent skin cancer, which is the most common cancer in the United States with an average annual treatment cost of $8.1 billion.

When and where will the 2024 3M Young Scientist Challenge final event take place?

The 2024 3M Young Scientist Challenge final event, where America's Top Young Scientist will be named, is scheduled for October 14-15, 2024, at the 3M Innovation Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.

What is the grand prize for the winner of the 3M Young Scientist Challenge?

The winner of the 3M Young Scientist Challenge receives a $25,000 grand prize, an exclusive mentorship with a 3M scientist, and the title of "America's Top Young Scientist."

How many 3M Young Scientist Challenge winners have been named TIME's Kid of the Year?

Two 3M Young Scientist Challenge winners have been named TIME's Kid of the Year: Heman Bekele in 2024 and Gitanjali Rao in 2020, who was the first recipient of this honor.