Every year, over 1000 students try out for the US Physics Team, the team that represents the US at the International Physics Olympiad. The students take a 1 1/2 hour test with 30 multiple choice and 4 free response questions. The top 200 move on to take the Semifinal test, a 3 hour test with 6 free response questions. The top 24 from the semifinal are offered a chance to attend the 7 day US Physics Team training camp at the University of Maryland, and be members of the US Physics Team. In 2001 I was a Semifinalist. In 2002, I made it to the US Physics Team. For my acceptance to the team, Senator Tom Carper and Representative Mike Castle sent me commendation letters. I attended the camp on the first week of June. At the camp we did labs, exams, had class discussions, listened to guest speakers, and met other kids like us who were interested in Physics. On the last day of the camp, we had a reception at the NASA headquarters to which our parents and physics teachers were invited, and we had a private screening of one of the galleries and the Space Station 3D movie at the Imax theater at the Air and Space Museum. Also, 5 team members were chosen for the traveling team. Normally, the traveling team competes at the International Physics Olympiad. However, in 2002 it was held in Indonesia, so no team was sent because of safety concerns. I didn't make it to the traveling team, but I will try again next year.


The 2002 US Physics Team, including the coaches.

Astronaut John Grunsfeld, the keynote speaker at the reception at the NASA headquarters.

Astronaut John Grunsfeld with the US Physics Team.

Me with my physics teacher, Mr. David Stover, and his wife, Ms. Cheryl Potocki, who was my freshman math league coach.



Back to my home page


You are visitorsince June 22, 2002