Online applications are invited for the Breakthrough Junior Challenge 2024 by the Breakthrough Prize Foundation. The last date for submitting applications is June 25, 2024.
About the Challenge
The Breakthrough Junior Challenge is an annual global competition for students to inspire creative thinking about science. Students ages 13 to 18 from countries across the globe are invited to create and submit original videos (2:00 minutes in length maximum) that bring to life a concept or theory in the life sciences, physics or mathematics.
The submissions are judged on the student’s ability to communicate complex scientific ideas in engaging, illuminating, and imaginative ways. The Challenge is organized by the Breakthrough Prize Foundation and was founded by Julia and Yuri Milner as part of their Giving Pledge to support science and the communication of scientific ideas.
Process
You get it. You’ve grasped an important scientific theory, concept or principle. Now can you share your insight?
An inventive video can get across complex material that would take pages of text to communicate. To take part in the Breakthrough Junior Challenge, create a short video (2:00 – two minutes max) to explain a big idea in one of these fields:
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Life Sciences
Your film can take any form you like: animation, talking head, documentary, dramatic reconstruction, whatever. It’s worth keeping in mind that video is a dynamic visual medium – using diagrams, simulations, physical demonstrations etc. is a lot more effective than standing in front of a blackboard talking.
Eligibility
You can take part in this year’s Challenge as long as you are:
- 13 or older by 12:01 AM PDT (West Coast USA) on April 1, 2024;
- Not older than 18 (not yet 19) as of 11:59 PM PDT (West Coast USA) on October 1, 2024;
- They welcome submissions in English from anyone of those ages, including homeschooled students, students with disabilities, and students from all over the world.
Prizes
If your video is chosen as the Winner, you will receive:
- $250,000 Post-secondary Scholarship
- $50,000 Prize for your Teacher
- $100,000 Breakthrough Science Lab
How to Apply?
To apply, fill in the forms here, answer a short questionnaire about yourself, your school and your chosen Challenge topic, and submit your completed video. Submissions are due no later than June 25, 2024, at 11:59 PM PDT (West Coast USA).
To be eligible for the $250,000 scholarship, you must score at least five other submissions by July 10, 2024, at 11:59 PM PDT (West Coast USA), during the Peer-to-Peer Review. You may also be asked to score additional entries.
