On Saturday, October 28, 2023, the Department of Physics in the Faculty of Science and Technology launched its inaugural Physics Olympiad competition. The Physics Olympiad is an esteemed and competitive event for high school level students who are interested in Physics and want to excel in their understanding of the subject. The competition was designed to test students' problem-solving skills, theoretical knowledge, and practical understanding of various Physics concepts. It is an initiative which was launched in celebration of The UWI 75th anniversary which the Department aims to use to inspire more Jamaican youth to learn and pursue careers in Physics and STEM in general. This competition was sponsored by the Digicel Foundation and the Zeeva Foundation.

The Olympiad featured two rounds, each designed to evaluate different aspects of the participants' physics knowledge and skills. The initial round, a theory exam held on October 28, 2023, saw the participation of fifty-five students from thirteen high schools located in the corporate area, central, and western Jamaica. From this round, the top 30 students advanced to the finals. The finals, held on November 25, 2023, comprised both a theory exam and a separate experimental exam. The combination of these assessments aimed to test not only theoretical knowledge but also the practical application of physics concepts. The finalists showcased their problem-solving abilities and demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of the subject.

The culmination of the Physics Olympiad was marked by an awards ceremony on December 2, 2023, where participants were recognized and celebrated for their outstanding achievements. Medals were awarded based on performance, with gold, silver, and bronze distinctions. Additionally, two special awards were givrn: Top Olympiad Experimentalist Award and Physics Olympiad Champion. The Top Olympiad Experimentalist Award was awarded to Dylan Pottinger from Campion High School. This accolade recognized his exemplary skills in the experimental exam, demonstrating a keen understanding of practical physics applications. The Physics Olympiad Champion was Ehinome Ehikhametalor, also from Campion High School. Ehinome's exceptional performance across both theory and experimental exams marked him as the top-performing competitor overall.

The Faculty remains committed to fostering the next generation of physicists by establishing platforms for the enhancement of physics competencies at the secondary level, with the ultimate aim of contributing to a culture of innovation and excellence within the scientific community. Click here to view the Physics Olympiad Newsletter.

Photo caption: Participants and faculty members at The UWI Inaugural Physics Olympiad hosted between October and December 2023.

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