The overall winner receives a $250,000 college scholarship, their teacher gets $50,000, and their school is awarded a $100,000 state-of-the-art science lab
A 17-year-old student from Pacific Palisades whose high school was temporarily closed this year because of Southern California wildfires is now vying for up to $400,000 in prizes in an international science-video competition — and she needs the public’s help to advance.
Chloe Suh is one of 30 semifinalists worldwide in the 2025 Breakthrough Junior Challenge, an annual contest that asks teens ages 13-18 to explain a complex scientific concept in an original short video.
Suh’s entry tackles narcolepsy: why it happens in the brain, how the loss of certain neurons disrupts sleep-wake cycles, and the latest treatments. The topic is personal — her mother is a sleep-medicine physician, and Suh hopes to become the fourth-generation doctor in her family, which includes a great-grandmother who trained as an internist in Russia.
The 30 semifinalist videos, including Suh’s, are now open for public voting on YouTube and Facebook through Dec. 9. The video with the highest combined likes, positive reactions and views will win the Popular Vote, earn an automatic spot in the final round, and help determine seven Regional Champions.
The overall winner receives a $250,000 college scholarship. Their teacher gets $50,000, and their school is awarded a $100,000 state-of-the-art science lab designed by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
Founded in 2015 by tech investor Yuri Milner and his wife Julia, the Breakthrough Junior Challenge has drawn more than 30,000 submissions from over 200 countries.
Suh’s school, still recovering from wildfire-related disruptions earlier this year, would benefit significantly from the new lab if she wins.
Voting is open to the public at the Breakthrough Junior Challenge YouTube channel and Facebook page until 11:59 p.m. PST on Dec. 9.
More information is available at breakthroughjuniorchallenge.org.
