The ON ZIENTZIA video competition, organized annually by Elhuyar and Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC) in the framework of the Teknopolis television programme, aims to produce and broadcast short and original videos on science and technology, aimed at all audiences. This year’s awards, the fourteenth edition of the competition, have been held today in Tabakalera.

This year, 100 studies have been received in total, with gender balance among the participants. Most of the videos have been presented in Basque, but there are also videos in Spanish, as the origin of the participants extends to the whole world. Although most of the works have been presented from Euskal Herria, several videos have also been received from Argentina, Chile or Mexico, among others. All participating videos are visible on the contest website: www.onzientzia.tv

The jury has decided to award the following works in each category:

The award for the best video of dissemination (€3,000) has been for the Madrid couple Paula Alonso and Pablo Fernández, for the video "The Trip of SiO2". The jury stressed that “by way of a very close example, it offers the excuse for organizing a family investigation on the beach. Science is very well told, with impeccable explanations about geology and its basic concepts.”

The Donostiarra Jon Puignau was the winner of the prize for the best video in Euskera (€2,000), for the work “Txantxangorri kuantikoa eta bestelako izaki magikoak”. According to the jury, “it is a work of great merit, because it brings us closer to a world that seemed very distant through the elements of nature. He dares with concepts that seemed impossible to explain without mathematical formulas, through aesthetically beautiful work.”

The Young Prize (€1,000) has been for the students of Errenteria Miren Ayerdi Suarez, Arhane Torres Redondo and Malen Irurzun Alzualde, for their work “Dolly ardia”. In the words of the jury, “recovering a historical icon, they have presented a very pleasant basic and topical issue, with a touch of humor”.

The jury has also given two special mentions this year. The first was for the Donostian student Maddi Piris Otaegui, by “Adimen Artifiziala: funtzionamendua eta erronkak”. In the jury’s opinion, “he has been able to explain a daily topic through very simple examples, using elements of surprise and explaining his challenges and difficulties well”. The second special mention was for the Azpeitiarra Patxi Juaristi Azkue, for his work “Korronte ozeanikoez”. “In the context of climate change, he has been able to explain a topical issue very well through high-quality images and resources,” the jury stressed.

In addition to the jury awards, the video that has been voted the most on the website www.onzientzia.tv has received the Public Prize: “Minaren sekretuak ezagutzen dituzu?” from the Vizcainan students Noa Manso Curros and Lydia Duro Ermua has received the key-trophy of the competition.

The awards were given by Adolfo Morais Ezquerro, vice-advisor for Universities and Research; Jon Abril Olaetxea, general coordinator of Elhuyar; and Ricardo Díez Muiño, director of the DIPC.

As for the jury responsible for evaluating the videos, he has been composed of Marian Iriarte Ormazabal, dean of the Faculty of Chemistry of the UPV/EHU and scientific discoverer; Onintze Salazar Pérez, physics of Euskalmet; Jon Mattin Matxain, researcher of the UPV/EHU and associate of the DITECAR

The ceremony will be broadcast on a special Teknopolis television programme, along with the award-winning works and statements of the award-winning people. The programme will be visible on 15 June at 13:30 in ETB1, and on 16 June at 11:30 in ETB2.