Competitions are important to enhance the capability of the mind and the spirit of motivation among youngsters. With similar intentions, the Breakthrough Prize Foundation started by Yuri and Julia Milner has organized a science video competition for young people of high-school age. The Breakthrough Junior Challenge is an annual international competition for children to promote great and unique scientific ideas. This competition is accessible to kids worldwide between the ages of 13 and 18.
The Breakthrough Junior Challenge’s goal is to create and distribute innovative videos that teach a physics, biology, or mathematics topic or theory. Another key requirement is that the competition video should not be longer than 1:30 minutes. The competition will also be judged on the participant’s ability to communicate complex scientific topics in an engaging, knowledgeable, and unique manner. This challenge is run by the Breakthrough Prize Foundation, founded by Yuri Milner and Julia Milner to advance science and disseminate scientific findings.
The Inspiration Behind the Breakthrough Junior Challenge
The Breakthrough Junior Challenge was established following the success of the Breakthrough Prize in shining a spotlight on revolutionary achievements in basic physics, biology, and mathematics. The Breakthrough Prize aims to celebrate the most significant scientific revolution while also inspiring the next generation of researchers. Yuri and Julia Milner, Anne Wojcicki, Sergey Brin, Priscilla Chan, and Mark Zuckerberg formed foundations to sponsor the Prizes. Yuri Milner and his wife, Julia Milner, then created the Breakthrough Junior Challenge concept after considering how Yuri Milner’s early exposure to scientific concepts ignited his interest in the subject. This idea inspired the formation of a high school video competition to encourage students to create short movies that explain big ideas in science and mathematics.
Rewards and guidelines of the Breakthrough Junior Challenge
The reward system of this challenge is also very thoughtful. The reward for the winner is a $250,000 post-secondary scholarship. Moreover, a $50,000 prize for your instructor who has affected and supported you, plus a $100,000 Breakthrough Science Lab grant, will also be awarded to the school for maintenance or modifications.
The competition started on April 1, 2022, at 12:01 a.m. PDT and will end on June 25, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. PDT. This period is referred to as the competitive phase. The official clock for the competition is the computer of the Breakthrough Prize Foundation, the tournament’s sponsor. Because it is a talent competition, the outcome is not determined by chance. Participants must be 13 to 18 years old or have parental or legal guardian permission to participate if they are a minor. Only entries in English, including scripts and audio, will be accepted, as long as they do not contain any unlawful, abusive, or objectionable content.
Finally, you must not include anyone other than the designated participant unless you have acquired their previous express consent. The content you produce or publish must be your exclusive property. You also acknowledge that your contribution is the result of your own independent research and that you are the sole owner of all intellectual property rights.
2021 Breakthrough Junior Challenge Champions
Amber Kwok won the Breakthrough Junior Challenge in 2021, while Gornekk Suwattanapong was named the Space Exploration Champion in the same year.
Steps To Send Your Entry to the Breakthrough Junior Challenge
To enter the competition, please go to breakthroughjuniorchallenge.org and click “Enter” at the top of the page to open an application form, which you must fill out according to the instructions to obtain one (1) entry. You must also analyze at least five (5) other entries from other contestants for your entry to be valid and comprehensive.
According to YouTube’s clock, your video submission must be one minute and thirty seconds (1:30) or less. If your video is set to private, the competitor sponsor will be unable to watch and evaluate your competition submission. Any video beyond 1:30 minutes in length or with a private tag will be rejected. Each participant is only allowed to have one entry (1) throughout the competition. You may not enter using more than one true and consistent identity. Multiple entries from the same person are not permitted and will be rejected.
