Houston 14-year-old designs origami-style collapsible container, reaches national science finals
Fourteen-year-old Aiden Jo of Houston created a fold-up packaging concept called “Squeeze-gami,” earning a spot among the ten finalists in the 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge.
Houston middle-schooler Aiden Jo identified the waste generated by large, single-use food containers as an engineering problem and devised “Squeeze-gami,” a container that folds flat like origami to reduce its volume. The invention propelled him into the top ten of the 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge, a contest that invites students in grades five through eight to submit brief video pitches showcasing STEM solutions to everyday issues.
Alongside nine other finalists from across the country, Jo will attend the national finals on 12-13 October at the 3M Innovation Center in St. Paul, where each participant will undergo mentorship with a 3M scientist and face live design challenges. The competition’s grand prize includes $25,000 and the designation of America’s Top Young Scientist. 3M Chairman and CEO William Brown highlighted the program’s role in turning youthful curiosity into real-world impact, while Discovery Education CEO Brian Shaw praised the finalists’ perseverance and creativity. Jo hopes his design will eventually be adopted for everyday packaging, contributing to more sustainable waste management.
Why it matters
The story showcases how a young student's innovation could reduce packaging waste and inspire broader sustainable design efforts.
In this story