2020 School Magazine

JUNIOR YOUNG PHYSICISTS TOURNAMENT

I n October, Year 10 students Emma Armitage-Ho (10R), Jeanie Ha (10H), Kiara Packard (10G), and Ella Sinclair (10G) competed in the Junior Young Physicists Tournament (JYPT). This competition aims to broaden students’ understanding of physics through research experimentation and analysis of data. The tournament consists of ‘Physics Fights’ with two competing teams: the reporter and the opponent. The reporter presents one of the five previously researched problems in a 10-minute presentation. The opponent points out strengths and weaknesses of the report and starts a 10-minute scientific discussion with the reporter to address open questions. Both opponent and reporter summarise

their positions at the end. A jury then asks clarifying questions before grading the performance of each team. During the tournament each team participates in five rounds: five times each as reporter and four times as opponent. Due to travel restrictions, the tournament was delivered as a virtual event this year. Team presentations were recorded and the discussions were held via Zoom. Participating in JYPT was an invaluable experience and we would recommend any students who love physics give the tournament a try next year. Emma Armitage-Ho (10R) and Jeanie Ha (10H)

PHYSICS OLYMPIAD

O n Thursday 27 August, 25 students from Years 10 and 11 attempted the National Qualifying Examination of the Physics Olympiad. As a group we had been attending training sessions since the beginning of Term 2 so we felt well prepared for the exam. During our training sessions we had discussed how we could take a seemly inaccessible problem and break it down into the root concepts to find a solution. The actual exam did feel quite different to the previous exams we had studied during our training sessions because it was online and we were required to complete the problems and draw diagrams on paper, then upload them. The problems were certainly difficult and required a lot of thinking, but we were proud of our efforts. Zoe Pearson (10O) O n Tuesday 25 August a group of Year 11 students participated in the National Qualifying Exam for the International Chemistry Olympiad. Students were selected for the exam based on their aptitude and interest in Chemistry. We prepared for the competition with intense weekly sessions with Head of Chemistry, Mrs Ross. The topics covered included redox equations, organic molecule structures, and we practiced analysing and evaluating data from complex sources. Our preparation came down to a final, gruelling two-hour exam. The content and skills we learned were really interesting and will no doubt help us in our studies for Senior Chemistry. We are grateful to Mrs Ross for guiding us through our preparation for this enriching opportunity, and Mr Allinson for organising the event. Wijdan Rahim (11G) and Phoebe Sampson (11M) CHEMISTRY OLYMPIAD

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