Australian Institute of Physics (Vic Branch) Education Committee VICTORIANYOUNGPHYSICISTS’TOURNAMENT An initiative of the Australian Institute of Physics

Australian Institute of Physics (Vic Branch) Education Committee

VICTORIANVICTORIAN

YOUNGYOUNG

PHYSICISTS’PHYSICISTS’

TOURNAMENTTOURNAMENT

An initiative of the Australian Institute of Physics An initiative of the Australian Institute of Physics (Victorian Branch) Education Committee(Victorian Branch) Education Committee


Young Physicists’ TournamentYoung Physicists’ TournamentAn event for An event for

Year 11 Physics and Year 11 Physics and

Year 10 Science studentsYear 10 Science students


Young Physicists’ TournamentYoung Physicists’ Tournament

What do the students do?What do the students do? How do the students benefit?How do the students benefit? What is the teachers’ role?What is the teachers’ role? How does the teacher benefit?How does the teacher benefit? How much class time and out of class time is How much class time and out of class time is

needed?needed? How is the competition organised?How is the competition organised? PrizesPrizes Experiences so far. Experiences so far.


Young Physicists’ TournamentYoung Physicists’ TournamentWhat do the students do?What do the students do?

In a team of three they conduct three open-ended In a team of three they conduct three open-ended experimental investigations, experimental investigations,

initially in class with follow up research in their initially in class with follow up research in their own time or as part of an activities program,own time or as part of an activities program,

and finally they prepare a PPT report, and …and finally they prepare a PPT report, and …


Young Physicists’ TournamentYoung Physicists’ TournamentWhat do the students do?What do the students do?

in competition …in competition …

They They describe and defenddescribe and defend their methods, results their methods, results and analysis, andand analysis, and

They They challengechallenge the reports of other teams. the reports of other teams.



There areThere are threethree problems which the team problems which the team should investigate.should investigate.



1. Conductivity of pencil lines1. Conductivity of pencil lines

The lines, drawn by so-called ‘lead’ pencils, The lines, drawn by so-called ‘lead’ pencils, conduct electricity. conduct electricity.

Investigate the factors that determine the resistance Investigate the factors that determine the resistance of the line.of the line.



2.2. Bouncing ballBouncing ball

If you hold a Ping-Pong ball above the ground and If you hold a Ping-Pong ball above the ground and release it, it bounces. The nature of the collision release it, it bounces. The nature of the collision changes if the ball contains liquid. changes if the ball contains liquid.

Investigate how the nature of the collision depends Investigate how the nature of the collision depends on the amount of liquid inside the ball and other on the amount of liquid inside the ball and other relevant parameters.relevant parameters.



3. Rubber motor3. Rubber motor

A twisted rubber band stores energy and can be A twisted rubber band stores energy and can be used to power a model aircraft, for example. used to power a model aircraft, for example.

Investigate the properties of such an energy source Investigate the properties of such an energy source and how its power output changes with timeand how its power output changes with time



How do the students benefit?How do the students benefit?

They develop:They develop:

– Experimental research skills,Experimental research skills,

– Presentation skills,Presentation skills,

– Communication skills, andCommunication skills, and

– Social skills from working in a group.Social skills from working in a group.



What is the teachers’ role?What is the teachers’ role?

1.1. Encourage student participation,Encourage student participation,

2.2. Monitor progress,Monitor progress,

3.3. Supervise, when necessary, out of class Supervise, when necessary, out of class experimental activitiesexperimental activities

4.4. Attend competitionAttend competition

5.5. Assist in judgingAssist in judging



How does the teacher benefit?How does the teacher benefit?

1.1. Student motivation,Student motivation,

2.2. Increased prestige for teacher, subject and Increased prestige for teacher, subject and school.school.



How much class time and How much class time and

out of class time is needed?out of class time is needed? Most investigations can be started as part of the Most investigations can be started as part of the

normal teaching program,normal teaching program, The topics minimise the need for out of class The topics minimise the need for out of class

supervision,supervision, Monitoring of progress may require about an Monitoring of progress may require about an

hour or two per topic for three topics over the hour or two per topic for three topics over the year.year.



How is the competition organised?How is the competition organised?

RegistrationRegistration

By the beginning of Term 4 schools will need to By the beginning of Term 4 schools will need to register each team including the names of the register each team including the names of the students. students.

There is no charge,There is no charge,



How is the competition organised?How is the competition organised?

Competition DayCompetition Day

Dates: Dates:

Tuesday, 2Tuesday, 2ndnd December for Year 10’s December for Year 10’s

Wednesday, 3Wednesday, 3rdrd December for Year 11’s December for Year 11’s

Venue:Venue: Quantum Victoria, Macleod West Quantum Victoria, Macleod West



How is the competition organised?How is the competition organised?Competition DayCompetition Day

The competition is run as a round robin.The competition is run as a round robin.

It consists of six 30 min sessions of ‘Physics It consists of six 30 min sessions of ‘Physics Phytes’.Phytes’.

Two teams participate in a ‘Physics Phyte’.Two teams participate in a ‘Physics Phyte’.


Young Physicists’ TournamentYoung Physicists’ TournamentCompetitionCompetition

Each team plays one of the two roles: Each team plays one of the two roles:

• ReporterReporter

• OpponentOpponent



CompetitionCompetitionRole of ReporterRole of Reporter

The Reporter presents the essence of the solution The Reporter presents the essence of the solution to the problem, attracting the attention of the to the problem, attracting the attention of the audience to the main physical ideas and audience to the main physical ideas and conclusions.conclusions.


Young Physicists’ TournamentYoung Physicists’ TournamentCompetitionCompetition

The Role of the OpponentThe Role of the Opponent

The Opponent puts questions to the Reporter and The Opponent puts questions to the Reporter and criticises the report, pointing to possible criticises the report, pointing to possible inaccuracies and errors in the understanding of the inaccuracies and errors in the understanding of the problem and in the solution. problem and in the solution.

The Opponent analyses the advantages and The Opponent analyses the advantages and drawbacks of both the solution and the drawbacks of both the solution and the presentation of the Reporter.presentation of the Reporter.



CompetitionCompetition Each role has a fixed time for its task and one Each role has a fixed time for its task and one

phyte should be completed within 30 minutes.phyte should be completed within 30 minutes.

Each team has 6 phytes: 3 as a Reporter, 3 as an Each team has 6 phytes: 3 as a Reporter, 3 as an Opponent.Opponent.

Each of the three students must report on one Each of the three students must report on one topic and oppose on another.topic and oppose on another.



CompetitionCompetition At the end of the day the two best teams At the end of the day the two best teams

compete in a Final. compete in a Final.

The final consists of two phytes with each team The final consists of two phytes with each team being in turn, a reporter and an opponent.being in turn, a reporter and an opponent.



Time allocationTime allocation

ActivityActivity minmin..

Reporter prepares, plugs in USB etc.Reporter prepares, plugs in USB etc. 33

Reporter presents,Reporter presents, 1010

Opponent asks clarifying questions.Opponent asks clarifying questions. 22

Opponent prepares.Opponent prepares. 33

Opponent critiques report, then argues with reporter.Opponent critiques report, then argues with reporter. 1010

Reporter prepares concluding remarks.Reporter prepares concluding remarks. 11

Reporter makes concluding remarks.Reporter makes concluding remarks. 22

Jury questions and grading.Jury questions and grading. 4 4



PrizesPrizes

A trophy to the schoolA trophy to the school A book “Flying Circus of Physics” to each A book “Flying Circus of Physics” to each

student in the finalstudent in the final Money: A cheque to all studentsMoney: A cheque to all students



WebsitesWebsites

www.vicphysics.org/vypt.htmlwww.vicphysics.org/vypt.html

There are resources on the website There are resources on the website to assist students and teachers with background to assist students and teachers with background

research and research and To assist students in formulating an To assist students in formulating an

experimental design. experimental design.


Documents

Australian Institute of Physics (Vic Branch) Education Committee VICTORIANYOUNGPHYSICISTS’TOURNAMENT An initiative of the Australian Institute of Physics