Western Kentucky Physics Olympics is a half-day competition consisting of a pentathlon of challenging problem-solving activities that reward teamwork, creativity, and communication. Western Kentucky University's Department of Physics and Astronomy invites teams of high school students to register for and compete in the 2022 Western Kentucky Physics Olympics at WKU's main campus on Saturday, February 19, 2022.
The theme for the 2022 Western Kentucky Physics Olympics is Physical Connections. Before the on-site competition commences, each team will have completed its efforts for the Graphene Model Delivery event, by having designed, constructed, and safely delivered via the US Postal Service a model of interconnected monolayer of carbon atoms. For ElectroMagnetic Connection each team will demonstrate their ability to construct a battery powered magnet, by lifting the longest magnetically connected collection of paper clips. This year's "Calculation/Communication Challenge" will have one pair of each team providing written instructions so the other pair can accurately recreate three dimensional structures. As usual, the "On-the-Spot Activity" and "Order-of-Magnitude Quiz" will remain cloaked in secrecy until those events commence.
Online pre-registration is required. Teams must register online before 4pm, Monday, February 14, 2022.
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.
A plaque for the school is presented to the coach of the overall winning team. Medals for the team members will be awarded to the top three teams in the overall competition. Certificates will be awarded to the top three teams in each event.
In case of cancellation due to inclement weather, Physics Olympics will be rescheduled for the same times on an alternate Saturday to be announced.
| Time | Activity | Location |
| 8:00 | Mandatory check-in for all teams | Snell 2113 |
| 8:30 | ElectroMagnetic Connection competition begins | Snell 2113 |
| 9:30 | Communication/Calculation Challenge begins | KTH 2038 |
| 11:00 | Order of Magnitude Quiz begins | Snell 2113/td> |
| 11:30 | Lunch | KTH 2038 |
| 12:15 | Impromptu Team Activity begins | Snell 2113 |
| 1:00 | Awards Ceremony | Snell 2113 |
Please see the Events Description page for a complete listing of the official rules for each event.
If you have questions please check our Frequently Asked Questions list or email your question to olympics@physics.wku.edu.