Leyte student shortlisted for Breakthrough Junior Challenge

TACLOBAN CITY, Nov. 6 (PNA) - A universal concept, which can be applied to everything in life from science, economics, social system and even politics, is what the video presentation of Hillary Diane Andales submitted in the Breakthrough Junior Challenge.

Out of more than 6,000 entries from 146 countries, Andales of the Philippines bagged a coveted place, one of the 30 semifinal spots in the Breakthrough Junior Challenge where students “make a short film about a big idea in science or math.”

A Grade 11 student of the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) Eastern Visayas Campus in Palo, Leyte, she shared that to get to the Top 6 spot, her video presentation should have more exposure through views, likes and shares in the video. To cast your vote, like her video at https://www.facebook.com/Break throughPrize/ videos/1406243266 067692/.

The Junior Challenge began last year and aims to recognize “that the biggest breakthroughs start with an insight, a new way of looking at things,” according to Sal Khan, the founder of Khan Academy.

It was launched in order to showcase the scientific knowledge of the world’s young leaders in development, and also to promote science awareness among the general public.

The entrants must display skills in science communication and to be able to simplify complex ideas into basic terms. Their videos are evaluated based on four criteria: Creativity, Difficulty, Engagement and Illumination.

The sole winner of the Breakthrough Junior Challenge will be flown to the United States to accept the award along with a USD250,000 scholarship, a USD100,000 science lab for the winner’s school, and a USD50,000 award for the winner’s teacher.

Andales submitted a video entry explaining an advanced Physics concept called “Feynman’s Path Integrals.”

“I hope that this becomes a chance for the people especially Filipinos worldwide to unite and support a Pinoy representative to the world stage, just like how we always did with our beauty royalties and boxers,” Andales said.

“They'll start to think more optimistically about the world since only the harmonious survive over time (which is what the video teaches us),” Andales said. She is the daughter of Imelda and Roy Andales.

A dedicated student and is passionate for excellence, she added that people can easily relate to the concept and apply it to their lives. This leads to illumination and overall appreciation of the knowledge and information in the video.

Rey Garnace, school director of PSHS, pushes for more likes of Andales' video. He is proud of his student and is supporting her throughout her journey.

Being in the top 75 is a privilege; top 30 is an honor; top 6 is a win of the country; winning the gold is a blessing from God, Garnace said, who is currently in Japan with PSHS students in another international science competition.

Hillary's Path Integral speaks about harmony -- love, peace, co-existence, and tolerance -- a proof that God is behind science. This is the essence of teaching science -- to be in perfect harmony with the creation.

"For the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) regional office here, the participation of Andales will put Region 8 in the map of scientifically able region and likewise highlights that even in the countryside, we can produce young scientists with an international caliber," according to Ramil Uy, DOST Senior Science and Research Specialist.

Andales said winning means a lot to her and the school. She dreams of going to Harvard University for postgraduate course after taking Physics at the University of the Philippines-Diliman Campus. (PNA)
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