Breakthrough Junior Challenge
About Breakthrough Junior Challenge
Breakthrough Junior Challenge is an annual global competition that invites students ages 13 to 18 to submit original videos of up to two minutes explaining a concept or theory in life sciences, physics, or mathematics. It is organized by the Breakthrough Prize Foundation and was founded in 2015 by Julia and Yuri Milner.
Teaching style
The provider is a competition rather than a course provider. Students learn through creating an original science or mathematics communication video and, after submitting, through a peer-to-peer review phase where participants score other submissions using criteria for illumination, engagement, difficulty, and creativity.
Reputation & Succeed take
The Challenge is organized by the Breakthrough Prize Foundation. The provider's About page links it to the Breakthrough Prize, which honors advancements in Fundamental Physics, Life Sciences, and Mathematics, and notes that the Breakthrough Science Lab prize is designed in partnership with Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
Our take
A well-documented global science communication competition with clear eligibility, judging stages, peer review requirements, and major scholarship, teacher, and school lab prizes. Applicants should check the current rules and timeline carefully because eligibility, peer review completion, and deadlines determine whether an entry qualifies.
Compared with a conventional course or summer programme, Breakthrough Junior Challenge is an individual competition built around a short original science video, peer review, expert evaluation, and selection phases rather than classroom instruction.
Who this provider suits
Who should choose them
Students ages 13 to 18 who want to explain a life sciences, physics, or mathematics idea in an original video and are willing to complete application, submission, and peer-review requirements should consider the Challenge.
Who it may not suit
Students seeking a team competition, a taught course, or a prize for general-purpose spending may not be a fit: entries are for individuals only, and the main student prize is restricted to post-secondary scholarship costs.
