A Grade 10 student from Calgary is one of 30 finalists in a global science competition

A Grade 10 student from William Aberhart High School is one of 30 semi-finalists in the Breakthrough Junior Challenge, a global science competition.

Anie Udofia is one of close to 5,000 students from around the world who entered the 2025 Breakthrough Junior Challenge competition, for which kids craft engaging, imaginative videos to demonstrate difficult scientific concepts and theories.

Udofia, 15 years old, is now among 30 semi-finalists.

“I’m really pumped about it,” the Grade 10 student said.

“I’m still kind of processing the fact that I’m actually in the top 30 for global competition, but I’m extremely grateful, and I’m grateful for everyone that has helped me and supported me.

“I feel like this is such a cool moment, and I’ll definitely remember it for the rest of my days.”

Udofia’s two-minute video focuses on organoids—lab-cultured versions of human organs created from a patient’s own stem cells.

The project came from researching retinal organoids after her mom required retinal surgery in both eyes in April 2025.

“I was just doing my own mini research and seeing ways that you can actually have as optimal results with the surgery but in a less invasive manner,” she said.

“I stumbled upon this whole world of organoids, specifically retinal, and then it expanded to other parts of the body, and I was just amazed. I thought I could share it in a cool and tangible and creative way for other youth to understand the concept.”

Udofia’s mom has fully recovered from her surgery and is proud of the work her daughter is doing.

“Through the pain and the struggle, she just took it upon herself to say, ‘I’ll just go find resources and maybe options of what is out there that other people can explore that is less invasive but equally effective,’” said her mom, Annie Udofia.

“Whatever it is she’s doing, any projects, she just goes all in for it and leaves a mark of excellence on it, so I’m incredibly proud.”

The teen used the story of Frankenstein in her video to demonstrate organoids.

“I showed how the body parts that we have, or the organs that we have that might not be at their optimal state, can then be revitalized and rejuvenated into something completely new from your own body parts,” she said.

“I felt like Frankenstein was completely changing personalized medicine, and in a really unique way that (could give) a lot of hope to people that thought what they had wasn’t good enough.”

The Breakthrough Junior Challenge was founded in 2015 and offers a grand prize of $400,000 split into a $250,000 post-secondary scholarship for the winning student, $50,000 toward their teacher and an additional $100,000 lab for their school.

“I would be able to give a really good ‘thank you’ to the community that has supported me and embraced me along my journey,” Udofia said.

“Specifically my teacher, who has just been absolutely phenomenal in my journey with the challenge and just in science in general.”

William Aberhart High School’s Erika Sholz has taught Udofia since Grade 7 and says her participation in the challenge perfectly reflects her drive to go above and beyond.

“Anie is one of the most driven and passionate academic students I have had the pleasure of teaching,” she said.

“Her enthusiasm for math and science is boundless, and she continually seeks opportunities to deepen her learning beyond the classroom.”

Calgarians can help Udofia by clicking “like” on her original science video, viewable here, which would help her get enough attention to become the People’s Choice Winner in the Popular Vote Challenge.

More information about the challenge is available here.