BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Students Win Top Genetic Video Prize!

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA – BASIS Independent Silicon Valley students Beryl Z. and Cindy X., 10th grade, are the Grand Prize winners of the 2016 ASHG Teen Gene's Video Challenge!

"We're so proud of Beryl and Cindy's achievements!" said Toby Walker, Head of School. "This is indicative of the passion for learning that BASIS Independent schools instill in their students."

Beryl and Cindy said that they became "obsessed" with tinkering, learning new skills, and making the video "perfect."

"We were shocked!" said Beryl and Cindy. "At first we thought it was a hoax that we won."

Viva Zhao, Beryl and Cindy's Biology teacher said that she "wasn't surprised" that they won. "Beryl and Cindy are constantly raising the bar of excellence," said Zhao. "What makes them special is not that they are smart, talented, and hard working but that they are risk takers and not afraid to go the extra mile and push the limits."

“It’s exciting to see the level of student interest in genomics, and the quality of their video entries was terrific,” said Michael Dougherty, PhD, Director of Education for ASHG. “ASHG is pleased to provide students this opportunity to creatively explore the impact of genetics on their lives and society.”

Entrants were asked to submit a 3-5 minute video that describes any current application of genetics and explains how it works. After the videos were reviewed for appropriateness, ASHG members were invited to
view the entries and use a predetermined set of judging criteria to vote for a winner.

First-place winners Cindy X. and Beryl Z., whose clay stop-motion video described how CRISPR genome editing works, will share a $1,500 monetary prize. In addition, they will participate in a video chat with Rick Guidotti, an award-winning former fashion photographer and founder of Positive Exposure.

Check out Cindy and Beryl's winning video here.