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Maryam Tsegaye, 17, Becomes 1st Canadian to Win $450K International Science Competition (WATCH)

[Photo: Maryam Tsegaye via YouTube]

According to cbc.ca, Maryam Tsegaye, a 17 year-old student at École McTavish Public High School, became the first Canadian to win the $500,000 International Breakthrough Junior Challenge, a prize that includes a scholarship and new science lab for her school.

The competition asks students from around the globe to create a video which explains a scientific principle for the public.

Fort McMurray, Alberta resident Tsegaye took up the challenge and put together a three-minute video explaining quantum tunnelling:

Tsegaye spent two weeks creating her video, comparing quantum tunnelling to rolling dice and playing video games.

“I just had a lot of time over quarantine and I just decided to enter,” Tsegaye said to CBC. “In previous years, I always hesitated from entering because I was really intimidated by all the other competitors.”

About 5,600 students sent in entries. The competition’s prize is a $250,000 US scholarship, $100,000 toward a science lab for her high school and $50,000 cash for the teacher who inspired her.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/fort-mcmurray-maryam-tsegaye-khan-1.5829840

5 Comments

  1. Anne Geyer Anne Geyer December 9, 2020

    Oh, my goodness! That is just amazing!! CONGRATULATIONS, Maryam!

  2. Michael Flanagan Michael Flanagan December 9, 2020

    I am in awe of the things that young people accomplish. And Maryam’s accomplishment is among the most inspiring. She should be courted by every University that would like to enhance their name. Maryam should have a great future. (No pressure meant.)

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