Release
Young science athletes picked for Asian Physics Olympiad - Australian Science Innovations
15 Apr 2019 6:00 AM
Monday 15 April 2019
Teenage Olympians to
represent Australia at Asian Physics Olympiad
Australia to host Asia’s toughest physics competition for
the first time
Team from NSW, VIC, WA and ACT announced at Australian Academy of Science, Canberra, 15 April 2019
Eight of Australia’s top performing student physicists have made
the team to represent Australia at the Asian Physics Olympiad to be held at the
Adelaide Convention Centre from 5 to 13 May. They will compete against more
than 200 of Asia’s smartest kids representing 26 other countries and regions.
The Australian Year 11 and 12 students are from Sydney,
Melbourne, Perth, Canberra and Sutton, NSW. They will compete in theoretical
and experimental exams that draw on first-year university physics, and will try
to win gold for Australia.
The students have spent a year in exams and intensive training
to make the cut. They outperformed more than 1,700 other students who sat the
qualifying exam, making a shortlist of 24 to attend a two-week physics summer
school at the Australian National University in preparation for the Olympiad.
“For me to represent Australia at the Asian Physics Olympiad is
a dream come true. I am here because of my brilliant science teachers who
encouraged me to have a go,” says team member Rosemary Zielinski from Merici
College in Canberra.
The Asian Physics Olympiad is Asia’s toughest physics
competition for high school students.
“In selecting students for the team we look for analytical
thinking, proficiency with equipment, and determination to use maths and
physics to solve tricky problems in both theory and experiment,” says Siobhan
Tobin, Physics Program Director, Australian Science Olympiads.
Australia’s Asian Physics Olympians will receive their
Australian team blazers at an official team announcement ceremony at the Shine
Dome, Australian Academy of Science, Canberra, on Monday 15 April.
“Hosting this competition in Australia for the first time
provides an important opportunity to champion our young science talent, as well
as shine a spotlight on Australian science education and Australian physics,”
says Ruth Carr, Executive Director of Australian Science Innovations.
The 20th Asian Physics Olympiad is brought to
Australia by Australian Science Innovations and is funded by the Federal Department
of Industry, Innovation and Science.
The Australian team members for the 20th Asian Physics Olympiad are:
Stephen Catsamas, Year 12 Marcellin
College, VIC
Benjamin Davison-Petch, Year
12 Christ Church Grammar, WA
Min-Je Hwang, Year 12 James Ruse Agricultural College, NSW
Alexander Lin, Year 11 The
King’s School, NSW
Jessie Lum, Year 12 Pymble Ladies’ College, NSW
William Sutherland, Year 12 Scotch
College, VIC
Simon Yung, Year 12 Narrabundah College, ACT
Rosemary Zielinski, Year 12 Merici College, ACT
About the Asian Physics
Olympiad
The Asian Physics Olympiad (APhO) is one of the
UNESCO-sanctioned International Science Olympiad competitions for high school
students held annually and hosted by a different country each year. The first
APhO was hosted by Indonesia in 2000. It has grown in popularity from year to
year as a platform for unlocking the potential of Asia’s best young science
brains.
The competition involves two five-hour exams of university
standard, one theory and one practical. Each country sends a team of up to eight
competitors. Exams are undertaken individually, with bronze, silver and gold
medals awarded to high-scoring students.
The competition is a unique experience for high school students as they battle it out to prove their knowledge and problem-solving skills, while also building relationships and sharing knowledge with peers across Asia. For more information visit: apho2019.asi.edu.au
About Australian Science
Innovations
Australian Science Innovations runs the Australian Science
Olympiad program that selects and trains Australian students to compete in the
International Science Olympiad competitions. Learn more about the Australian
Science Olympiads Competition at: asi.edu.au
MEDIA ENQUIRIES TO:
Debra Maynard on 0407 299 007 or 02 9665 7182, or
Yelena Ramli on 02 6125 6282 or 0451 124 050