The 2009 Western Kentucky Physics Olympics
– Saturday, February 28th
Western Kentucky Physics Olympics is a half-day
competition consisting of a pentathlon of challenging problem-solving
activities that reward teamwork, creativity, and communication. The WKU
Department of Physics & Astronomy invites each high school to send one or
more teams of four to compete in the 2009 Western Kentucky Physics Olympics.
This year’s event will be held Saturday,
February 28 from 8:30 a.m. until about 2:00 p.m. in the Thompson Center,
Central Wing on WKU’s Bowling Green campus.
The competition will commence with two
activities that involve competitors arriving at the event ready to compete with
devices they have designed, constructed, and tested. The competition entitled Save
the Citizen requires each team to design, construct, and use a package
to safely transport a “hostage” through harrowing circumstances. For Escape
Pod each team will assemble and test a rocket powered escape device to
be used as an emergency exit strategy if capture is imminent. This year’s
“Calculation/ Communication Challenge”, "On-the-Spot Activity” and "Order-of-Magnitude
Quiz" will remain cloaked in secrecy.
Registration
Teams can
register online at http://physics.wku.edu/olympics/registration.html.
The registration deadline is Tuesday, February 19.
Prizes
Each of the
four contestants on the team with the best score in the overall competition
will receive a $500
scholarship to attend Western Kentucky University. The scholarship is to be
used during the freshman year and is awarded above and beyond any other
scholarships the student might otherwise earn.
Medals for
the team members and a plaque for the school will be awarded to the top 3 teams
in the overall competition. Certificates will be awarded to the top three teams
in each event.
Schedule of Events
|
Time |
Activity |
Location |
|
8:00 |
Mandatory check-in for all teams |
TCCW 201 |
|
8:15 |
Results announced for Save the Citizen |
TCCW 208 |
|
8:30 |
Escape Pod
competition begins |
Intramural Field |
|
10:00 |
Order-of-Magnitude Quiz begins |
TCCW 201 |
|
10:20 |
Communication/Calculation Challenge begins |
TCCW 129 |
|
11:45 |
Lunch |
TCCW 238/239 |
|
12:30 |
Impromptu Team Activity begins |
TCCW 201 |
|
1:15 |
Awards Ceremony |
TCCW 201 |
Snow Date
In case of cancellation due
to inclement weather, Physics Olympics will be rescheduled for the same times
on an alternate Saturday to be announced.
|
