The Breakthrough Junior Challenge is a global video competition for ages 13-18 offering a $250,000 college scholarship for explaining complex STEM concepts.
The Breakthrough Junior Challenge is an annual global competition designed for students aged 13 to 18. Participants are invited to create a short video, with a maximum length of two minutes, explaining a complex concept in physics, mathematics, or life sciences. The challenge emphasizes creativity, clarity, and engaging storytelling, making it suitable for students who possess strong communication skills in addition to their scientific understanding. This competition stands out by not requiring traditional lab work or research papers. Instead, it focuses on the ability to distill complex academic subjects into an understandable and compelling visual format. The judging process looks for entries that effectively balance scientific accuracy with an engaging narrative. The incentive for participation is significant, with a grand prize of a $250,000 college scholarship for the winner. Beyond the student's personal reward, the competition also recognizes the importance of educators and institutions by awarding $50,000 to the winning student's teacher and a $100,000 science lab for their school. This holistic prize structure aims to foster STEM education more broadly.
Participants must create a short video (maximum two minutes) explaining a complex concept in physics, math, or life sciences.
The competition is open to individuals aged 13–18 worldwide.