Breakthrough Junior Challenge - Science & Math Video Competition

Grade Level

Class 8–12

Age Range

13 - 18 years

Location

Nationwide

The Breakthrough Junior Challenge is open to students globally, including those from India, aged 13 to 18. This includes homeschooled students and those with disabilities. Participants must submit original videos in English explaining a concept in life sciences, physics, or mathematics.

Difficulty: Challenging. The competition requires participants to explain complex scientific or mathematical concepts, typically at a high school level or beyond, in an accessible and engaging manner.

• **Global Reach:** Attracts participants from over 200 countries, fostering a diverse and international community of young scientists.
• **Substantial Prizes:** Offers life-changing prizes including a significant college scholarship, a prize for the inspiring teacher, and a state-of-the-art science lab for the winner's school.
• **Peer-to-Peer Learning:** Incorporates a unique peer-to-peer review process, allowing participants to learn from and evaluate the work of their global peers.
• **Focus on Communication:** Emphasizes the crucial skill of communicating complex scientific ideas in an accessible, engaging, and imaginative manner.
• **Prestigious Affiliation:** Associated with the Breakthrough Prize Foundation, known for its 'Oscars of Science' awards, lending significant credibility and recognition to the challenge.

Format

Not applicable (video submission, not an exam).

Winners are determined through a skill-based competition, with no element of chance. Selection is based on a combination of scores from the peer-to-peer review and expert panel evaluations, with a strong emphasis on the four judging criteria: Engagement, Illumination, Creativity, and Difficulty. The Popular Vote also contributes to recognition.

1. 1Register Online: Create an account on the official Breakthrough Junior Challenge website (breakthroughjuniorchallenge.org).
2. 2Select a challenging concept or theory from physics, mathematics, or life sciences that you are passionate about and can explain creatively.
3. 3Produce an original video (maximum 2 minutes in length) explaining your chosen concept. The video should be engaging, illuminating, and imaginative. Upload your video to YouTube and ensure it is set to 'public' and tagged with #breakthroughjuniorchallenge.
4. 4Fill out a short application form on the website, including a questionnaire about yourself, your school, and your chosen topic. Paste the YouTube video link into the designated field.
5. 5Upload an image of an official government-issued document (e.g., birth certificate, state ID, country ID, or passport) to verify your age and nationality.
6. 6Participate actively in the Peer-to-Peer Review phase by reviewing and scoring at least five other contestant videos by the specified deadline (typically September 30th). This is a mandatory step for eligibility.

• **Official Website:** The Breakthrough Junior Challenge official website (breakthroughjuniorchallenge.org) provides comprehensive rules, FAQs, and a gallery of past winning videos for inspiration.
• **Tutorials and Tips:** The website and YouTube channels (e.g., Breakthrough Prize, past winners' channels) offer tutorials and tips on science communication, video production, scriptwriting, and effective visual storytelling.
• **Online Courses:** Consider online courses or workshops focused on science communication, video editing, or public speaking to hone relevant skills.
• **Mentorship:** Seek guidance from science teachers, mentors, or professionals in STEM fields to refine your understanding of the chosen concept and video presentation.