The rescheduled date for 2015 Physics Olympics is the following Saturday, with all times the same. For Spectral Scavenger Hunt, the submission deadline in rule #6 should now read Friday 27 February.
The WKU Department of Physics & Astronomy is celebrating the International Year of Light by inviting high schools to send teams of four to compete in the 2015 Western Kentucky Physics Olympics. This half-day competition, held Saturday, February 21 in Thompson Center, Central Wing on WKU’s Bowling Green campus, consists of a pentathlon of challenging problem-solving activities that reward teamwork, communication and creativity.
The 2015 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 Spectral Scavenger Hunt requires each team to investigate their surroundings to collect evidence of particular specta. For the Cross Polarization event, each team constructs a device with sheets of polarizers that is capable of measuring the specified goals. This year’s “Calculation/ Communication Challenge” is titled Spectroscopic Identification and will require each team to divide into pairs for the determination of visual spectra. The "Order-of-Magnitude Quiz" will remain cloaked in secrecy until the day of the event. Laser Targeting, the "On-the-Spot Activity” for this International Year of Light themed competition, will test each team’s ability to apply the laws of reflection and refraction in a chaotic, time sensitive situation.
Online preregistration (found here) is required. To ensure event materials get delivered, teams must register online before 6 p.m., Thursday, February 12th.
A $600 scholarship to attend Western Kentucky University will be presented to each contestant on the top scoring team. 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.
| Time | Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 | Mandatory check-in for all teams | Snell 2113 |
| 8:30 | Spectral Scavenger Hunt spectroscopes due | Snell 2113 |
| 8:45 | Competition begins for Crossed Polarization | Snell 3110 |
| 10:30 | Calculation/Communication Challenge | Snell 2113 |
| 11:15 | Order-of-Magnitude Quiz begins | Snell 3110 |
| 12:30 | Lunch | Snell 2113 |
| 1:10 | Impromptu Team Activity begins | Snell 3110 |
| 1:45 | Awards Ceremony | Snell 2113 |