Grammar Gazette- Issue 1, 2004

Grammar Hosts International Physicists

The 17th International Young Physicists Tournament (IYPT) is to be hosted by Brisbane Girls Grammar School and Brisbane Grammar School in June 2004. This will be the largest international high school physics competition held in Australia since 1995 and involve thirty teams from twenty-eight nations. Mr Alan Allinson, Head of the Physics at Brisbane Girls Grammar School is the Chair of the Local Organising Committee for IYPT 2004. The tournament requires each team of five students to theoretically and experimentally research seventeen complex problems for several months prior to the tournament and then present and defend their solutions in a series of “ Physics Fights ” . The tournament was created to encourage students to conduct real research and foster better communication skills. All Year 12 students complete one of these problems as part of the Senior Physics course. Two teams from Australia will compete at this event. One will be selected at the annual qualifying competition, the IYPTAustralia Challenge, and one will be formed from the students of the two host Schools. “ It was so much fun! It was challenging and it has extended me - I get Physics a lot more now! It ’ s an incredible experience! ”

Three Year 12 girls from Brisbane Girls Grammar School have already been selected as part of the host team. Erina McDonald, Alexandra Mercer and Emily See received the problems in late October 2003 and have been preparing for the tournament since then. Trying to understand the behaviour of a flame under a chimney, designing a fountain to achieve maximum height or determining why white light transmitted through egg white looks red, have become daily topics for discussion. Brisbane Girls Grammar School has a proud tradition in the event having been Australia ’ s first representative in 1998 and providing all the team members in the Australian Team that finished second in 2001. The tournament also provides an incredible opportunity to meet students from a diverse range of cultural backgrounds. With nations from North America, South America, Africa, Asia, Oceania and Europe all coming to our School it is also a rich experience for the teams and the numerous students that have volunteered to be guides and helpers. Can you help? The IYPT programme provides many opportunities for corporate sponsorship, individual donations or donations in kind. If you would like more information on this inspirational event please go to www.iyptaustralia.org or contact Mr Alan Allinson on 3332 1300.

Caitlin Wilson - 2003 Australian Team Captain & 2003 Year 12 Grammar girl

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