Virginia sixth-grader's 'Dolphin Guard' wins state honour in 3M science contest

A middle-school student from Virginia has earned national-level recognition for a science project designed to protect dolphins from the dangers of busy waterways. Ishanvi Sakharpe, a sixth-grader at Old Donation School in Virginia Beach, has been named the 2026 Virginia State Merit Winner in the 3M Young Scientist Challenge for her project, 'Dolphin Guard.'

The initiative focuses on proactive conservation. Rather than addressing injuries after they occur, the project explores ways to identify and reduce threats from boat traffic and fishing gear before they become fatal for marine mammals. The work aims to bridge classroom learning with practical ecological preservation.

The 3M Young Scientist Challenge is a national competition for middle-school students in the United States. Participants submit short video presentations outlining an invention or scientific solution to a real-world problem. Entries are judged on creativity, scientific knowledge, persuasiveness, communication, and presentation quality. The 2026 contest opened in January, with state winners announced in June.

Sakharpe's scientific interests are supported by a strong background in mathematics. Official records show she has performed consistently well in the Math Kangaroo competition. In 2025, she was part of the 'Kangaroo Pi-oneers' team from her school that won the Grade 6 national gold medal in the team event. She has also ranked highly in individual national and state standings.

Her mathematical training—emphasising logic, structured problem-solving, and persistence—has informed her approach to developing environmental technology. The project asks how science can help humans and wildlife share the oceans more safely, offering a model for how young students can apply STEM skills to real-world ecological crises.