Physics – Physics Education
Scientific paper
Jan 1996
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1996phyed..31......&link_type=abstract
Physics Education, Volume 31, Issue 1, pp. (1996).
Physics
Physics Education
Scientific paper
As they opened the plane door on arrival at Canberra it was like stepping inside a freezer. I had escaped from the heatwave in Britain to experience winter in Australia. I have not found anyone who believes that there was really frost! The Australian welcome did its best to combat the cold, however, and Professor Rod Jury had soon introduced our guides and got us settled in on the campus of Canberra University.
The British team of five students, selected through the British Physics Olympiad, were: Alan Bain of Birkenhead School, Chris Blake of King Edward VI School, Southampton, Richard Davies of Dulwich College, Tom Down of Embley Park School, Romsey and Chris Webb of Royal Grammar School, Worcester.
The two Leaders of the party were Cyril Isenberg of the University of Kent and Guy Bagnall of Harrow School. Chris Robson of St Bee's School and myself from Stoke on Trent Sixth form College were interested Observers and Guy's wife, Jenny, completed the party. For the old hands there were many friendships stretching back years to renew, and with 51 countries this year many new ones to be made.
 Photo
Figure 1. Photograph taken by C Robson of the British Physics Team immediately after the Awards Ceremony in Canberra in July 1995. From left to right: Chris Webb, Richard Davies, Tom Down, Alan Bain and Chris Blake.
In addition to the confusion caused by the Sun being in the North and the Moon appearing to lie on its back, we had to get used to the flocks of chattering parrots browsing on the lawns and the kangaroos on campus! Everyone was presented with a boomerang and there were several sessions introducing the art of throwing them, even in the dark!
The Opening Ceremony was colourful and a good mix of ceremony and fun with the Aboriginal entertainment and the Flame of Science to be lit. This was followed by my first examiners' meeting. Once the questions have been introduced no one is allowed to leave the group until ten hours later when the students are in bed! The room was most impressive with 51 tables for the leaders and observers. Each table was set out with the name of the country. The examiner presents his question and any ambiguity in the wording or doubtful parts of the solution and mark scheme are questioned and tidied up until everyone is satisfied.
This year the meeting lasted longer than hoped (typically) as the third question was considered too mathematical in nature and the reserve question produced was in rather an unpolished state. At 11 pm I retired thankfully for the night. For the majority the important task of translating the questions into their own language began and lasted most of the night before the papers could be photocopied for the early morning exam.
When we next saw our team they looked ashen after their five-hour theory paper. 'I was quite incoherent for the last hour of the paper', said one. The adults visited the research labs of the Australian National University, where we saw some impressive work on plasma etching, plasma stability, ion implantation and laser research.
By that evening the first rough marking of the papers was complete and there was a chance for the leaders to look at the scripts in preparation for the moderation meeting. Evidently all our boys had done well and the prospect of two gold medals was in view.
The next day there was a second long meeting to finalize the practical paper and translate it. The students had a day's sightseeing in Canberra followed by a noisy science quiz in mixed country teams. The practical paper was another five-hour ordeal but at least there was a walk between buildings halfway through to change experiments. All the adults were banned from the campus for the day - many whisked off on coach trips.
During our stay we had visits to the National Parliament building and Art Gallery, where the Matisse exhibition was drawing to a close. We also visited the Aquarium and Nature Park, where a black swan objected, in no uncertain terms, to his mate being photographed on the nest. We learnt about Wattles (Australia's national flower), Bottle brush trees and saw Kookaburras in the Botanic Gardens. Most of the students had time to visit the Science Museum. We were taken to Tidbinbilla Deep Space Tracking Station - in the week when Galileo's Jupiter probe was released - and Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. We travelled across the Southern Tablelands and through dramatic mountain passes to the coast.
Our students were happy with the 'cylinders falling in glycerol' experiment but not so sure that they had estimated the reduction in intensity correctly in the laser/diffraction experiment. Some of them felt that there had been less emphasis on practical work as they neared the end of their A-level courses. They would have appreciated some more preparation for this.
There was a range of hospitality shown to us; receptions were held by the Deputy Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory and the Vice-Chancellor of Canberra University, and we were guests of the Rotary Club members in their own homes. Some students spent a day with an Australian family. The British High Commissioner took the British party out to dinner. All of this was much appreciated!
Soon it was time to discuss the marking of the practical, and our students seemed to have held their positions. The formula for the medals is Gold for 90 Until the top mark was settled at an incredible 95 that they were happy with the scores we knew the results. Alan Bain and Richard Davies had tied with identical marks on each of the two papers and would receive Gold medals. They were about 19th out of the 255 students competing. The other three students were close together and gained Bronze medals, although Chris Webb was only two points away from a Silver!
There was considerable discussion at the International meeting of Leaders about the mounting cost of hosting the International Physics Olympiad. The number of countries entering had increased and could potentially exceed 100. Twenty-five countries made an informal commitment to pay towards the cost of students and leaders. Britain is host to the competition in the year 2000 and is looking for sponsors and grants to make it possible.
Suddenly it was nearly all over and we were boarding the buses to the Closing Ceremony. We were delighted when Richard Davies was awarded an additional prize for the Best Mathematical Solution. Again the Ceremony was colourful, musical and moving but had its lighter moments when all the gold medallists were given bush hats that swamped some and perched atop others! The Flame of Science was extinguished and we were sitting down for our final meal together - a Banquet! 'Chef' (from North London) had triumphed again, feeding over 600 people excellently. Several countries and the team of examiners gave impromptu entertainment.
Many had to board a bus for Sydney at 3 am, but we were allowed a last night's sleep. By the morning the IPhO office had removed itself, leaving a pile of cardboard boxes, and what had seemed a living organism had disappeared. Throughout, we found the Australians so friendly and helpful and the coach drivers were extremely informative. Rod's team of previous Olympiad students (green blazers) and Summer Science School students (blue blazers) had performed their organizational tasks so patiently and efficiently, I'm sure everyone's stay was enjoyable and successful. Thanks to all the companies whose sponsorship made the trip possible.
Celia Bloor City of Stoke-on-Trent, Sixth Form College
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