West Hartford Student Vying For $400K In Global Science Contest
WEST HARTFORD, CT — A 16-year-old West Hartford student is among 29 semifinalists vying for $400,000 in prizes as part of the Breakthrough Junior Challenge global science video contest. Sam Rothfarb is among the 29 semifinalists out of more than 12,000 original registrants from around the world who submitted engaging, imaginative (and sometimes humorous) videos to demonstrate difficult scientific concepts and theories in the physical or life sciences.
The grand prize winner will take home $400,000 in prizes and appear alongside world renowned scientists on stage at the Breakthrough Awards ceremony in Palo Alto, California, on Nov. 4. The finalists’ videos have been posted on YouTube and Facebook, and the general public can vote for a people’s choice winner between now and Thursday, Sept. 20.
In his video, Sam goes head to head with last year’s flu vaccine in his video – making a solid argument for a universal vaccine in order to avoid a flu pandemic. (Watch Sam’s video at the end of this story). To sign up for West Hartford breaking news alerts and more, click here.
“Not only does the video explain a complicated topic, but Sam also sets out to create content that can serve as a Public Service announcement for vaccination,” according to a press release. “Sam clearly tells the story of the virus, why it’s so difficult to create vaccines for an ever-evolving virus, and the proven benefits of taking advantage of the yearly vaccines.”
Since its launch, the Breakthrough Junior Challenge has reached 190 countries, and the 2018 installment of the global competition attracted more than 12,000 registrants. The contest is designed to inspire creative thinking about fundamental concepts in the life sciences, physics, or mathematics.
All 29 semifinalists will compete in the “Popular Vote” contest, which invites the public to vote for their favorite semifinalist submission on the Breakthrough Facebook page. Votes can be cast by “liking,” “sharing,” or issuing a “positive reaction” to the videos on the official Breakthrough Prize Facebook page.
On Friday, Sept. 21, the 15 finalists and the top scorer in the “Popular Vote” challenge will be revealed. The Popular Vote Top Scorer will receive automatic entry into the finalist round. Additionally, each of the seven geographic regions will have a top-scorer who will be named a Regional Champion. Read more from the press release below:
The 15 top-scoring finalist videos will be reviewed by the Selection Committee, comprised of: Salman Khan, CEO, Founder, Khan Academy; author and educator Lucy Hawking; Dr. Mae Jemison, science literacy expert, former astronaut, and Principal, 100 Year Starship; retired NASA Astronaut Scott Kelly; Nima Arkani-Hamed, Professor of Physics, Institute for Advanced Study and Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics Laureate; Rachel Crane, Space and Science Correspondent, CNN; Huda Zoghbi, Professor of Pediatrics and professor of Neuroscience and Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine and Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences Laureate; Ijad Madisch, CEO, Co-Founder, ResearchGate; Jason Silva, National Geographic Channel Television Host, Filmmaker; Pete Worden, Chairman, Breakthrough Prize Foundation, Executive Director, Breakthrough Starshot; Esther Wojcicki, Founder, Palo Alto High Media Arts Center; and Terence Tao, Professor of Mathematics, UCLA and Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics Laureate.
The winner of the Breakthrough Junior Challenge will be announced at the internationally broadcast 2018 Breakthrough Prize ceremony live from Silicon Valley on Nov. 4. The winner of the Breakthrough Junior Challenge will be awarded a $250,000 college scholarship. The science teacher who inspired the winning student will win a $50,000 prize. The winner’s school will also receive a state-of-the-art science lab valued at $100,000.
For the fourth year, students ages 13-18 were invited to create original videos (up to three minutes in length) that illustrated a concept or theory in the life sciences, physics or mathematics. The submissions were evaluated on the students’ ability to communicate complex scientific ideas in the most engaging, illuminating, and imaginative ways.
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