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Little Heath School Sixth Form Student named as Global Finalist in International Science Competition

Year 12 student Maxim Kyrychuk made a 2-minute film exploring gravitational waves — he needs Reading’s help in the popular Vote 24 Nov - 9 Dec.

Maxim Kyrychuk, a Year 12 student at Little Heath School in Reading, has been selected as a global finalist for the 2025 Breakthrough Junior Challenge, an international science-communication competition. The Popular Vote runs 24 Nov - 9 Dec and is decided by combined likes on the entrants’ videos published by the official Breakthrough Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Maxim created a two-minute film that explains gravitational waves using simple visual analogies and location shooting to make science accessible to younger students.

 

“I am absolutely delighted to be supporting Maxim in his impressive submission to the 2025 Junior Breakthrough Challenge,” said Olivia Bailey, MP for Reading West and Mid Berkshire. “I’d love to see this fantastic global achievement awarded to a local Reading boy, and would encourage anybody who feels the same to support Maxim in the popular vote.”

 

The film is part of Maxim’s wider effort to improve science accessibility in schools; if his entry wins, the prize includes a US$100,000 (~£76,000) new school science lab to directly support lessons at Little Heath. If Maxim wins this competition, he would be the first ever Brit to do so; no Brit has ever won the international Popular Vote either. Currently, he is a top 30 finalist out of approximately 2300 submissions. The prize also includes a $250,000 (~£190,000) university scholarship and a $50,000 (~£38,000) cash prize for Maxim’s nominated teacher.

The international popular vote runs from 24th November to 9th December. The entrant with the highest total likes and reactions on both YouTube and Facebook will skip the last judging stage to go straight to the final judging pool, where the winner is decided.

 

How to vote for Maxim:
  1. Open the Breakthrough Facebook post for Maxim’s video and click Like and React.
  2. Open the official Breakthrough YouTube video and click Like.

 

“This film lets me share a fascination and excitement I have for both space and science, hopefully allowing me to reach and inspire children all across the globe.” — Maxim Kyrychuk, Year 12, Little Heath School.

"Maxim is an exceptional student, who embodies the values and ambition of The Wren School. We are proud to stand with him and celebrate his work and thinking as a breakthrough scientist. He has got us all thinking and asking those challenging questions. Well done Maxim." — John Salberg, Headteacher at The Wren School, Maxim’s former school.

“Maxim has shown incredible determination throughout this challenge. His commitment, resilience, and willingness to push beyond his comfort zone have been outstanding. The way he uses simple science based examples to explain difficult science theories is phenomenal. I would like to wish Maxim every success in this challenge and please vote for him if you’re able to.” — Toby Jessop, Head of Sixth Form at Little Heath School.

 

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Maxim Kyrychuk is a Year 12 student at Little Heath School, specialising in STEM outreach. He is a patent-pending inventor (UKIPO filing number: GB2509426.9) and achieved ten straight grade 9s at GCSE. 

If you would like to help Maxim, please get in touch with us by emailing marketing@littleheath.org.uk or call 0118 9427337

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