Innovative middle schooler is one of 10 finalists in national science competition

An Irvine student has earned a spot among 10 finalists in a premier national science competition for students in grades five through eight.

Albert Tung, who is currently a freshman at University High School, entered the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge last year as a Rancho San Joaquin Middle School eighth-grader. His project theorized that a specially wired helmet could aid stroke-impaired patients by stimulating damaged regions of the brain. As a finalist, Albert receives $1,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to St. Paul, Minn., where he’ll present his innovation to a panel of judges. The first-place winner will take home $25,000 and the title of "America's Top Young Scientist." The Young Scientist Challenge was established to encourage the exploration of science and innovation among America's youth and to promote the importance of science communication, according to its website. Discovery Communications launched the competition 12 years ago and teamed up with 3M in 2008. To check out a brief video outlining Albert’s project, click here. To read about it in The Orange County Register, click here.