Yoochan, a Concordia junior, loves science and wants to share it with others. That’s why he entered the Breakthrough Junior Challenge, a global competition that inspires students to think creatively about science. In this competition, students are tasked with producing a short educational film that explains a big scientific idea in the fields of physics, mathematics or life sciences.
“I want to share knowledge with others, to teach and educate and publicize the beauty of science.”
For the past three years Yoochan has created and submitted videos to Breakthrough Junior Challenge. “My latest video,” he says, “inspired by my engineering teacher, Mr. Klammer, is the culmination of my knowledge, passion, and philosophy.” This animated video, which took 150 hours to complete, succinctly explains a complex mathematical formula known as the “landscape function” and its practical applications for LED lighting.
From now until November 2, the world is invited to vote for their favorite video. Submissions with the highest Facebook likes and shares will make it to the final round of judging. The popularity of Yoochan’s video has already landed him in the semifinals, where he is currently holding at twenty-ninth place out of several thousand entries.
The grand prize for the Breakthrough Junior Challenge includes a scholarship for the winner as well as new science lab for the winner’s school. The competition is led by the Breakthrough Prize Foundation and the Chan Zuckerburg Initiative, in partnership with Khan Academy, the National Geographic Network, and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.