38th Physics Olympics Welcomes BC Students and Teachers

Hundreds of high school students and teachers from across BC will arrive at UBC on March 5 morning to participate in the 38th Annual UBC Physics Olympics. This competition, organized by UBC Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy, is one of the largest and oldest high school physics competitions of its kind in North America.

“Many of our undergraduate volunteers have participated as high school students themselves”, said UBC Physics & Astronomy Professor Michael Hasinoff from the organizing committee. “Our undergraduate students have been involved in developing and testing the activities beforehand, and in helping judge the activities during the competition.” Activities in the Physics Olympics are designed to test high school students’ understanding of physics through both hands-on and conceptual activities. Teams of high school students representing their schools will take part in two pre-built events, two lab events, a theoretical physics challenge, and a quiz-show style “Quizzics.” For the two pre-built events this year, students have been asked to build an "Elastomer-Powered Aircraft” powered by elastomers such as rubber bands, and a rice harvester that is driven by the energy of a mousetrap – both to be tested publicly on Saturday. “Quizzics” will be run by Astronomy Professor Jaymie Matthews, as usual in his Dumbledore-style sorcerer's robe and regalia. The event will conclude with a final round of Quizzics between the top contenders, and an award ceremony. Winning teams will take home medals, the Physics Olympics trophy, as well as bragging rights. 

“BC Ministry of Education has proposed a new science curriculum that is in the last stages of consultation now. Its focus is on big ideas, scientific applications, science communication, and science connections to students’ lives. This relates directly to the focus of UBC Physics Olympics,” shared Professor Marina Milner-Bolotin from the Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy. “Our main goal is to help students see how physics is exciting, relevant and most importantly an intellectually enjoyable pursuit, where people collaborate to figure things out. “

She added, “You do not need to be a scientist to be excited about physics and to appreciate the role it plays in our lives.”