- Event: 20th Annual Physics Olympics
- Date: Saturday, March 8, 1997
- Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Place: Hennings Building, 6224 Agricultural Road (off
East Mall).
Parking is available in the North Parkade. Enter off Wesbrook Mall
at Gate 2.
Miniature catapults and edible resistors in tow, 250 Grade 11 and
12 students from across B.C. take over the Physics building at the
University of British Columbia on March 8 for the 20th annual Physics
Olympics.
The day-long competition features six fun and challenging events
designed to test students’ knowledge of basic physics by applying
it to hands-on problems.
“The idea is to show how fun physics can be and illustrate how
often we use physics in everyday life,” says co-ordinator Kristin
Schleich, an assistant professor in the Dept. of Physics and Astronomy.
Events include the Lilliputian Catapult which requires teams to
use a pre-built apparatus and an ordinary rubber band to shoot a
tiny package at a target whose centre is precisely two metres away.
The closest to the centre wins.
Another event has teams building two devices having specific resistance
to an electric current. The basic components of these resistors
must be edible or chewable materials such as kiwi skins, orange
sections, salt, paper and vinegar.
The Paper Bridge is a demonstration event in which contestants
build a bridge out of the smallest amount of material that supports
the largest possible weight.
Winners at last year’s Olympics included a team from Penticton
Senior Secondary which built an edible battery that used pickling
vinegar and window screens to produce energy.
About half of the 50 teams competing this year are from the Lower
Mainland. Other competitors hail from Prince Rupert, Terrace, Golden,
Kelowna and Campbell River.
The Olympics are co-hosted by the Faculty of Education’s Dept.
of Curriculum Studies.
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