Jump links: Contests, Day Programs, Evening Lectures, Experiences, Extension Activities, Open Days
Calendar of Physics Events. Check this webpage on this website for the calendar.
Contests
Physics Photo Contest
The Vicphysics Teachers’ Network has established a photo competition for secondary students. The photo must be accompanied by a statement of 250 words or less describing the physics in the photo.
More details can be found here.
Physics Video Clip Contest
The Vicphysics Teachers’ Network has established a video competition for secondary students. Entrants must submit their video either as an email attachment or on a DVD. Videos must be in MP4 or Quicktime format, or a format suitable for video streaming. The video may not be longer than three minutes in length.
More details can be found here.
Victorian Young Physicists’ Tournament
The Vicphysics Teachers’ Network established a competition for Year 11 physics students and Year 10 Science students. In the course of the year, in teams of three, students carried out a range of experimental investigations drawn from a common set, then later in the year, presented and defended their findings in scientific discussions with other teams. The event has not run since 2017. The format of the program is being reviewed.
Day Programs
There are several events for students held throughout the year. As these events are held in class time, bookings need to be made by teachers. Events organised by Vicphysics include Girls in Physics Breakfasts and Physics Days at Luna Park.
Evening Lectures
Melbourne University talks for VCE Students
Lectures have been arranged to assist your students in years 11 and 12 of VCE Physics. The topics are relevant to the VCE Study Design, and practising physicists have agreed to deliver them. The lectures, of about 1 hour duration, will be held on Thursdays at 6 pm in the Laby Theatre of the School of Physics. Some light refreshments will be available
Information about the lectures can be found here. This website also has notes from previous lectures.
The 2018 Program
VCE Lectures for Students: Motion 1.49 MB pptx
Presentation by Prof Martin Sevior, University of Melbourne with a focus on exploring typical student misconceptions.
The 2017 program was recorded and put on Youtube. These include:
- Thermodynamics with Dr Andrew Melatos He asks fantastic probing questions.
- Motion with A/Prof Roger Rassool Great demos focussing on key concepts to correct misconceptions.
- Relativity with Prof David Jamieson It was a great lecture packed with demonstrations.
- The Practical Investigation with Dan O’Keeffe Advice and Hints for students. Click here for the powerpoint and accompanying notes.
- Electrical Energy with Dr Jeff McCallum Some amazing demos.
- Dark Matter: Everything you wanted to know, but were afraid to ask with Dr Katie Mack An impressive overview, detailed, up to date and well explained.
- Particle Wave Duality with Dr Harry Quiney There are excellent images representing the results of an experiment Prof Quiney conducted at the Australian Synchrotron, showing the diffraction of soft X-rays through a very small hole (10 microns in diameter). Each slide derived from a 1 second exposure, shows many bright dots clustering into an apparent diffraction pattern. When you see the accumulated set from 500 exposures, a smooth diffraction pattern appears. Prof Quiney interprets the slides as showing the particle nature of light as well as its wave nature.
Astronomy Public Lectures at Swinburne University
The full lecture program can be found at here.
Experiences
The Australian Youth Aerospace Forum (AYAF) Queensland, early July each year
The AYAF is a five-day interactive forum open to 100 Year 12 and Year 11 students from all over Australia who are interested in a career in the Australian Aerospace Industry. It is a continuation of the Queensland Youth Aerospace Forum (QYAF) which has been enjoyed by hundreds of students over the past ten years. The forum will highlight aerospace engineering or avionics options for university and higher education and the employment possibilities in the industry after graduation.
AYAF is run by a team of young aerospace and avionics enthusiasts, many of whom are students studying related courses at university. AYAF will provide an invaluable opportunity for you to share their experiences of the industry and get advice on university life. Attendees will also visit two of Australia’s top aerospace engineering and avionics universities; the University of Queensland and the Queensland University of Technology. Attendees will hear from lecturers, industry specialists and current engineering, aerospace avionics and science students about pathways into the aerospace industry, including new technologies and research projects. A hands-on approach to experiencing the excitement of aerospace is fostered through group projects.
The forum provides accommodation on campus at the University of Queensland, Brisbane for only $150. This was the only cost other than travel. Some interest in flight and aerospace was expected, so Year 12 students who did ‘Flight’ in Year 11 are encouraged to apply to AYAF.
VCE Physics Days at Luna Park
VCE Physics Days are held at Luna Park in the first week of March each year. The activity is designed for Year 12 students. Check this website under ‘Events’ for details of the worksheets and arrangements for each of the days.
Extension Activities for Physics Students
National Youth Science Forum
A career-oriented, personal development youth program in Canberra for a fortnight in January, in which students will meet leading scientists, visit scientific and national centres, participate in forum debates, mock job interviews as well as a range of social events. It is open to Year 11 students. Applications should be submitted to the local Rotary club by mid May. An equit scholarship is also available to assist with the cost.
BHP Billiton Science Student Awards
Primary and secondary students submit experimental research projects. Many cash prizes. Application due early July. Victorian students can only enter their project in either STAV’s Science talent Search or CSIRO’s CREST Awards. Bursary winners are automatically entered into the BHP Billiton Awards.
Science Talent Search
Science Talent Search includes experimental research projects. Investigations are ideal and VYPT research. Registrations close late June. Entries submitted late July. Entries are automatically entered in the BHP Billiton Science awards and bursary winners are automatically national finalists.
CREST Awards
A CSIRO competition for experimental research projects that is school based with flexible time lines.
ConocoPhillips Science Experience
A three day science school of hands-on activities held in January at each of the universities in Melbourne. It is for Year 9 students. Applications are due in August
Physics Olympiad
The Physics Olympiad is an event for able Year 11 Physics students. Students sit for a National Qualifying Exam (NQE) in August. The purpose of the NQE is to identify the best 24 students in the country. These students go to Canberra in December for training and ultimately selection in a team to represent Australia overseas. Click on the link for details about registration. Resources such as the syllabus and previous National Qualifying Exams with solutions are also available.
Open Days
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre holds an annual Medical Physics Open Day in late August.