The 2024 edition of the NTU Physics Challenge, was held on 27 July with resounding success. The event brought 304 participants from pre-university educational institutions to the campus of Nanyang Technological University (NTU) to undertake a challenging physics test, devised by professors at NTU Physics (the Division of Physics and Applied Physics at NTU’s School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences).
The participants in the 2024 NTU Physics Challenge came from 31 institutions including junior colleges, secondary schools, international schools, and polytechnic institutes. Notably for the first time, the Challenge welcomed 20 participants from Foon Yew High School, a leading high school in Johor, Malaysia.
Awards were presented to the 42 participants who scored the highest in the physics test, consisting of 5 gold medals, 12 silver medals, and 25 bronze medals. The winners are listed on the NTU Physics Challenge website. In addition, five outstanding participants were offered an invitation to next year’s Global Young Scientists Summit, where they will have the opportunity to interact with top international scientists, including Nobel prize winners. Three top-scoring participants from polytechnic institutes were also awarded honourable mentions.
After taking part in the physics test, the participants attended a series of lectures conducted by NTU Physics faculty members. One highlight was Associate Professor Elbert Chia’s lecture, titled So You Think You Know Mechanics?
“This was the most interesting lecture, as it demonstrated how the physics we learnt can be shown to be true in real life scenarios,” said one student.
Other lectures included The Physics of Collective Behaviors: from Sand Piles to Bacterial Infections by Assistant Professor Han Endao, The Mould Effect – Physics of the Chain Fountain by Dr Koh Teck Seng and Physics < – > Information by Associate Professor Chew Lock Yue.
“By hosting the NTU Physics Challenge, we aim to foster a spirit of inquiry and excellence among students who will become leaders in science and technology,” said Nanyang Assistant Professor Yang Bo, the NTU Physics faculty member who served as the lead organiser for the event. “When participants return to their respective schools and colleges, our hope is that they will carry with them not just whatever awards they won, but also the inspiration to propel them towards future scientific endeavors.”
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