Explaining the theory of relativity in an extremely easy-to-understand way, a 12th grade girl received $250,000

She received a prize of $250,000 for this award.

While German physicist Albert Einstein had to use very complex equations to explain his theory of relativity, 18-year-old student Hillary Diane Andales from the Philippines only needed an illustrated truck, a few mobile phones and an image of athlete Usain Bolt.

The Breakthrough Junior Challenge is an annual competition that invites teens from around the world to submit videos no longer than three minutes long that explain big ideas in science or math in simple terms. Andales took home a $250,000 scholarship for winning.

She said her family members were all science enthusiasts. Her father was a chemist but loved physics, while her mother, an accountant, also loved science. “They were the ones who encouraged me to read books and follow the latest science news.”

The student said that when she was young, she loved astronomy and wanted to become an astronaut. Her father was the one who introduced her to physics when she was only 10 years old.

Based on what she learned about the previous competition, Andales realized that relativity was a big and complex topic that could be communicated to people in an easier way. She wrote about 20 drafts of the script, spent about 200 hours on graphics and video, and ended up with a nearly 3-minute video.

“My dad helped me a lot throughout the whole process. He was also the one who checked the script,” Andales said.

This 12th grade student shared that she wishes to pursue a career in physics research in the future.