The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
2 students semifinalists in science video contest
MIDDLETOWN — The Breakthrough Junior Challenge, a global science video contest associated with the Breakthrough Prize, has announced its 30 semi-finalists, which include Wesleyan University students.
Freshmen Ian Shen-Costello and Aldrean Alogon were selected from more than 11,000 entries, according to a press release.
New York City-native Shen-Costello, whose video project tackles the neuroscience study of optogenetics and how nerves respond in the body, demonstrated a way to explain a difficult scientific concept in an engaging and imaginative way, according to the release. He is one of three from Connecticut.
Shen-Costello aspires to stay in science, hopefully becoming a doctor and specializing in neuroscience, believing optogenetics to be the future of the field, the release said. “His love of science developed in high school, and his awareness in this specific area was sparked at a summer program at Columbia University.
“But, he has long been making videos, including stop-motion, computer animation and live-action creations. As an entrant to the competition several times, he feels fortunate to be in such a unique community of young science students aiming to change the world,” according to the statement.
Alogon hails from The Philippines. His drive stems from both a past Breakthrough Junior Challenge winner from his high school as well has how the winnings would help out his progress in his education, the release said.
His mother used to be a principal and before she passed away in 2015, Alogon and other students loved to read books that she kept in her office.
His interest in astronomy is how he came about his video called “Fate of the Universe.” He was first introduced to astrophysics from his teacher, Dr. Aris C. Larroder.
The 30 semifinalists, who created threeminute long videos on wide-ranging topics from photosynthesis to gravitational waves, represent the top submissions following a review by the Evaluation Panel.
The 30 semifinalists hail from all around the world, including the United States, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Korea, India, Iraq, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, the U.K. and Venezuela.
They will compete in the popular vote contest, open until Sept. 20 at 11:59 p.m. The public may vote for their favorite semifinalist submission on the Breakthrough Facebook page.
The top scorer will progress automatically to the final round, bypassing the next round of judging and entering the running for overall challenge winner.
On Saturday, the 15 finalists and the top scorer will be revealed. The student will receive automatic entry into the finalist round.
The winner will be announced at the 2020 ceremony live from Silicon Valley Nov. 3. The winner 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 information, visit breakthroughjuniorchallenge.org.