The Breakthrough Junior Challenge, which is a science explainer video competition for people 13-17, recently declared a winner for 2020.
The Breakthrough Junior Challenge is a global science video competition, aiming to develop and demonstrate young people’s knowledge of science and scientific principles; generate excitement in these fields; support STEM career choices; and engage the imagination and interest of the public in key concepts of fundamental science.
Students age 13 to 18 from countries across the globe are invited to create and submit original videos (3:00 minutes 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 was founded in 2015 by Yuri and Julia Milner.
Needless to say, we're big fans of the competition. One of the biggest problems we face is making science more understandable for the general public. By asking young people to create these videos, the Breakthrough Junior Challenge is not only educating the public, but teaching essential media creation skills. Explainer videos, when focused on education, can play a transformational role in helping people become engaged in science and feel confident about their knowledge.
The winner of the challenge was Maryam Tsegaye of Canada, who explained Quantum Tunneling.
This video is built for the teachers and students who are on the front lines of this phenomenon. By understanding cyberbullying, we can take steps to reduce the harm it causes.
Using a simple example of a cyberbully in action, this video follows a bully’s tools, motivations and tactics. It also covers what can be done by adults and fellow students to stop the bully and prevent further problems. It teaches:
Why cyberbullying represents a problem
How cyberbullies use the internet to threaten and harass others
What motivates cyberbullies
What adults and students can do to help the bullied students
What adults and students can do to prevent problems
One of the things that makes us happy is knowing that teachers and students have been inspired by our work. A couple of years ago we started to notice videos appearing on YouTube that students produced in class and called "Common Craft Style" videos. There are now over 2000 on YouTube.
Yesterday I was browsing the videos and saw this one, which totally made our day:
