MT ST PATRICK COLLEGE year 11 student Jesse Wright needs Tweed Shire resident’s support to help him achieve the popular vote in the international science, maths and physics competition, the Breakthrough Junior Challenge.
Jesse is representing the Tweed as well as NSW and Australia in the worldwide competition that’s now in its final stages with himself and 29 others selected from thousands of entries from around the world.
The Breakthrough Junior Challenge is an annual global competition for students to inspire creative thinking about science.
Students aged 13 to 18 from countries across the globe are invited to create and submit original videos that bring to life a concept or theory in the life sciences, physics or mathematics.
Jesse decided to focus his video on the wonders of information and what becomes of information once it enters a black hole.
“As we know from recent breakthroughs by Stephen Hawking, we know that matter or data must continue to exist, despite entering a black hole, however what we don’t know yet is where that data goes after the end of its life,” he said.
For 11 days from October 23 to November 2, people around the world will be voting for their favourite video which includes Mr Wright’s.
Whoever gets the highest combined total of likes, shares and positive reactions on the original post of their video on the Breakthrough Facebook page will be named “Popular Vote Top Scorer” and will automatically bypass the next round of judging (Selection Committee) and be placed in the final.
At the time of print Jesse’s video had more than 10,000 views and 800 likes.
The Breakthrough Prize award will be announced on Sunday, December 3.
“I want to encourage everyone across the Shire to please log on to the link below and give me those likes, shares and positive reactions,” he said.
Jesse’s father Paul Wright (PhD) is the Lab Coordinator for Tweed Shire Council’s water and wastewater division and wanted to also encourage voters to get behind this competition.
“If Jesse was to become the regional winner, let alone win the overall competition, it would be a huge opportunity to promote Tweed and home-grown talent that can help to inspire the whole community as to what is possible,” he said.
“The prize ceremony is a big deal which is broadcast on US TV and has an A-list invitation from science, art and entertainment industries – this really is global exposure.”
Jesse has been contacted by the organisers from the US, who were checking he had a valid passport/visa if he does need to fly to San Francisco for the awards night.
His school (Mt Saint Patrick College) and sponsor teacher have also been interviewed in the last week.
“We only found out he was shortlisted on Tuesday,” Mr Wright said.
“As well as the obvious recognition for himself and Tweed, the prizes are: $250,000 USD for post-secondary school scholarship, $100,000 USD for his school’s science Lab and $50,000 USD prize for his teacher.”
Jesse is already well-known locally for his academic achievements and his participation in local and national youth affairs.
He is in the Youth Council Forum hosted by Tweed Shire Council, and is attending the National Mathematics Forum in January.
He has performed volunteer work locally through You Have a Friend and helping homeowners and businesses post flood.
He has also done volunteer work overseas with Habitat for Humanity in Nepal and volunteer work through school in the Solomons.
To cast your vote please visit the below: link: https://www.facebook.com/BreakthroughPrize/videos/1908124225879591/
https://www.facebook.com/BreakthroughPrize/videos/1908124225879591/