The WKU Department of Physics & Astronomy invites high schools to send teams of four to compete in the 2014 Western Kentucky Physics Olympics. This half-day competition consists of a pentathlon of challenging problem-solving activities that reward teamwork, communication and creativity. The 2014 event will be held Saturday, February 22 from 8:30 to 2:00 in Thompson Center, Central Wing on WKU's Bowling Green campus. Teams must register online before 9 a.m., Monday, February 17 at This registrration form
The 2014 Physics Olympics 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 Roto Drop event requires each team to design and construct a helicopter type device to safely lower an egg when dropped from a fixed height. For Balloon Rockets each team constructs air-powered racing craft to self-propel along the track for the greatest distance. This year's "Calculation/ Communication Challenge" is titled Instrumental Navigation and will require each team to divide into pairs and cooperatively direct a flight to its desired destination. The "On-the-Spot Activity" and "Order-of-Magnitude Quiz" will remain cloaked in secrecy until the day of the event.
Each of the four members of the overall top scoring team will be awarded a $600 scholarship to attend Western Kentucky University. New for this year: Members of the overall second place team will be awarded a $200 scholarship to attend WKU. The scholarships are to be used during the freshman year and are 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.
| Time | Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 | Mandatory check-in for all teams | Snell 2113 |
| 8:30 | Roto Drop devices must be received at impound | Snell 2113 |
| 8:35 | Competition begins for Balloon Rockets | Snell 3110 |
| 10:00 | Calculation/Communication Challenge begins | Snell 2113 |
| 11:00 | Order-of-Magnitude Quiz begins | Snell 3110 |
| 11:30 | Lunch | Snell 2113 |
| 12:00 | Testing begins for Roto Drop | Snell 2113 |
| 1:15 | Impromptu Team Activity begins | Snell 3110 |
| 1:45 | Awards Ceremony | Snell 2113 |