Ladue Schools proudly celebrates rising freshman TingMing Tsai for earning prestigious national recognition in the 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge. TingMing, who attended Ladue Middle School last school year and will enter Ladue Horton Watkins High School this fall, was named the sole State Merit Winner for Missouri.

The annual competition, a partnership between 3M and Discovery Education, stands as the premier science contest for middle school students in the U.S. TingMing’s outstanding project earned him a spot among an elite group of just 37 state merit winners recognized nationwide from a highly competitive pool of applicants.

This exceptional distinction highlights TingMing’s ability to think critically and creatively, qualities that directly reflect the district’s dedication to nurturing innovative, future-ready learners prepared to tackle complex, real-world problems. 

Ladue Schools congratulates TingMing on this extraordinary achievement on the national stage and looks forward to supporting his continued academic and scientific journey as he joins the high school community this fall.

You can view the full announcement and list of recognized students on the official Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge Winners page