Samay Godika- The Breakthrough Junior Champion

The Breakthrough Junior Challenge is an annual challenge that invites students, ages 13-18, to share their passion for math and science with the world. The Breakthrough Junior Challenge is a global science video competition designed to inspire creative thinking about fundamental concepts in the life sciences, physics, and mathematics.
It is a platform where the students between 13 and 18 years are encouraged to create original videos (up to three minutes) that illustrate a concept or theory in the physical or life sciences. The submissions are evaluated on the students’ ability to communicate complex scientific ideas in the most engaging, illuminating, and imaginative ways. A 16-year-old Bengaluru boy Samay Godika has been declared as the winner of the Breakthrough Junior Challenge. He has been awarded with $400,000 prize (over Rs 2.9 crore).
It is also declared that along with Samay, a student of National Public School-Koramangala, who will receive a $250,000 (over Rs 1.8 crore) college scholarship, his ninth and tenth grade science teacher, Pramila Menon, who encouraged his interest in life sciences and mentored him after school to encourage his curiosity about scientific ideas, will also be awarded with a prize money of $50,000 which is over Rs 36 lakh. In addition to this, it is also declared that his school will receive a state-of-the-art science lab valued at $100,000 which is over Rs 72 lakh. This is a great achievement for Samay, his family, school and country as well. As Samay’s family members suffered from Parkinson’s and other neurological diseases, Samay was interested in the correlation between circadian rhythms and the effectiveness of medical treatments. One day, Samay recognised alongside some of the world’s top scientists and mathematicians speaking to Bangalore Mirror and said, “It feels amazing and unbelievable. I’m very happy to be among these great scientists. Our school is very science-centric and laid the foundation right from the beginning, shaping and guiding me to be the person I am today.” He further added “Participating in and now winning the Breakthrough Junior Challenge is life-changing, thrilling and such an honour. I’m so grateful for this opportunity to be recognised. I thank my teachers and family, and my little sister Sia, for shaping me”. Nikhiya Shamsher, age 16, a student of Greenwood High school won this year’s Popular Vote. Her video on space-time and gravity garnered more than 25,000 likes, shares and positive reactions on the Breakthrough Facebook page. She received direct entry to the final round of judging. Last year, Samay had won the Popular Vote contest. What a pride for the country.

By: Anuja Arora
Content: https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/bengaluru-boy-beats-the-world-to-win-science-prize-rs-2-9-cr/articleshow/66503093.cms