The American Association of Physics Teachers is preparing to host its annual qualifying competition for high schoolers to choose the United States representatives for the International Physics Olympiad Competition. The preliminary competition is a test taken by about 3,000 students nationwide. Aragon students that have taken any level of physics are encouraged to consider taking part in this competition, which will take place on a school day between Jan. 21 and Feb. 1, 2013.
Aragon physics teacher Steve Ratto says, “The test is easier for students in AP physics because they have more experience with the math part of it, and the problems we use are from college-based physics.”
However, for students taking regular physics, Ratto is not quite sure if he will encourage them to compete. He adds, “This year, I’m seeing what the CP level interest is worth. I don’t want to encourage [the CP students] to take the test if the material is going to be way over their heads.”
Sophomore Kevin Wang, the student in charge of the competition, says, “Students are encouraged to take the test because the students that perform well not only enhance their physics ability, but also can participate in the semi-finals test.”
