Himanshu Jangid has made history at Pleasant Valley High School, advancing to the finalist stage of the Breakthrough Junior Challenge.
The Breakthrough Junior Challenge is an annual global competition where thousands of applicants send in videos explaining a complex scientific topic in math, life science or physics.
The competitive nature of this challenge is fierce. The winner is granted $250,000 in scholarship money, allowing the winner to attend virtually any college or university they can dream of. Their school is also awarded a $100,000 state-of-the-art science lab, dedicated to enhancing the education of those who come after it. Finally, the winner receives another $50,000 for a teacher of their nomination.
In the competition, contestants send in their two minute videos before June 25. Every video then undergoes peer and administrative review. First stage finalists are announced by Sept. 4. The finalists then participate in a popular vote where anybody can vote for their favorite contestant by liking their video via Youtube and Facebook. This stage ended on Sept. 21, and the ultimate finalists have been announced, including PV’s very own Jangid.
This is Jangid’s third year participating in the competition. He had low expectations due to his lack of success in previous years, but was thrilled when he got an email telling that he was moving on to the next stage. “It was an almost unreal experience, unparalleled by anything else I have experienced. I was both nervous and excited about what the future would entail,” said Jangid.
Jangid also gets to nominate a teacher of his choice, who would potentially receive $50,000. Every year, Jangid has picked microbiology and honors biology teacher Audrey Holland. “It’s honestly kind of an honor to be thought of and that someone that you taught is using what you taught them to go do something amazing,” said Holland.
Jangid is still undecided on what college he wishes to attend in the near future. Regardless, he believes that the $250,000 scholarship money will open up many opportunities for him. At college, he hopes to major in a life science such as biology, biochemistry or microbiology.
“A longer term goal is to work towards a Degree of Medicine. My longest term goal is to obtain a PhD, likely in science,” explained Jangid.
Jangid’s success in this competitive, world-wide competition, is outstanding. Who knew that a short, two minute video, explaining CRISPR, would lead him to the biggest accomplishment of his life thus far? The Pleasant Valley Community is beyond excited for Jangid and eager to see if he can take home the prize: years of future educational advancement for himself and future students.
