11th edition of the „Path of Physics” contest concluded

On April 9, 2016 the high-school students qualified to the „Path of Physics” contest finals presented their works at premises of Institute of Physics PAS in Warsaw to contest jury, organizers, tutors/teachers, and invited guest. The guests included Professor Marian Grynberg from Warsaw University (a member of the contest Advisory Committee), Professor Jerzy Zachorowski from Jagiellonian University (Cracow) and Dr. Krzysztof Karpierz from Warsaw University.

Many words of encouragement particularly needed by young enthusiasts who aspire to a career in the sciences were directed to the finalists. “Personally, I do not know any unemployed physicist”– said Professor Grynberg. He pointed out how studies of physics may help to develop imagination and ability to clarify complicated phenomena observed in various areas of human activity. Professor Zachorowski invited all finalists to enter Jagiellonian University to study the selected disciplines offered to them by the University.

Next, the finalists and their tutors joined events organized in Copernicus Science Centre (CSC) in Warsaw within the Discoveries 2016 Young Researcher Festival framework, including the EUCYS Competition for Scientific Papers, intense joint workshops, and a piano concerto performed in the “Heavens of Copernicus” Planetarium.

The “How to explain sunsets using sugar?” talk-show (the title after one of the shows presented within the „Path of Physics” contest framework) broadcasted on the Tok FM radio on Sunday morning, April 10, encouraged listeners to come and see the events planned for that day in CSC. Professor Ludwik Dobrzyński from NCBJ, Chairman of the contest Organizing Committee, and Professor Marek Gutowski from Institute of Physics PAS, member of the Committee, talked with Karolina Głowacka, broadcast editor, about various fascinations of high school students (including fascination with contemporary physics), and how to attain professionalism in developing personal interests.

A wide audience visited CSC on that Sunday. After addresses given by authorities, organizers, and sponsors, many of the visitors witnessed the ceremony of awarding the winners of both the „Path of Physics” contest for high school students before the baccalaureate, and the EUCYS contests for young scientists. Results of the 11^th edition of the „Path of Physics” contest were announced by Professor Ludwik Dobrzyński, Chairman of the contest Organizing Committee.

The “Scientific paper” category

That was the most demanding contest category. Some experimental, theoretical, computational and constructional topics were tackled. Original papers not presenting some known problem were evaluated the highest.

Michał Biały and Maciej Janus from the Edward Dembowski High School no. 1 in Gliwice won the 1^st prize for their paper “How physicists and mathematicians may help to develop a network of motorways”. They have developed a mathematical formula to calculate the least sum of lengths of sections connecting 3 given points. Besides, they have verified the proposed formula finding experimentally the shortest sum of distances between Wrocław, Szczecin and Olsztyn on a 1:4,200,000 map of Poland printed on a easily extensible membrane (taking advantage of tension forces).

No 2^nd prize was awarded. Marta Lampasiak from the Powstańców Śląskich High School no. 1 in Bystrzyca Kłodzka won the 3^rd prize for her “Spectrum of the light” scientific paper on a construction inspired by spectral LED displays. The device helps to investigate inertia of a human eye. The author has admitted that she acquired plenty of skills beyond physics itself in the course of work on the device, including software programming. „Work on the paper was for me an opportunity to learn physics from both theoretical and practical side. The drawn conclusions were based not only on the theory, but also on the practically measured data” – said the author.

Besides, Artur Cyba and Aleksandra Gołębiowska from the Władysław Łukasiński High School no. 1 in Dąbrowa Górnicza, Dawid Urbański and Mateusz Sikorski from the Stanisław Małachowski High School in Płock and Patryk Świąć from Junior High School no. 2 in Częstochowa won honourable mentions in this contest category.

The “Physical phenomenon show” category

Contest runners running in the “Physical phenomenon show” category had to explain physical background of the demonstrated phenomenon in addition to demonstrate it in an attractive way.

Marcin Wachowiak from the High School no. 2 in Śrem won the 1^st prize for the “Plasma loudspeaker: plasma and its unusual properties” show.

Grzegorz Gorzaniak from the Technical High School in Ostrów Wielkopolski won the 2^nd prize for the “Can we generate electricity walking on the floor?” show. He told the viewers much about the piezoelectric phenomenon.

The 3^rd prize was awarded ex aequo to two teams from the Tadeusz Kościuszko High School no. 1 in Wieluń: (i) Bartosz Tobis and Paulina Załęcka for their attractively presented “Magnetic forces” show; (ii) Wojciech Boman and Bartłomiej Forenc for their shows demonstrating some chimney draught-related  phenomena (evidently inspired by fire-fighting they tried to make the viewers aware of many risks associated with a decreased draught and the so-called back draft).

Besides, Adam Milewczyk from the Król Jan III Sobieski High School no. 1 in Wejherowo, Justyna Pluta and Aleksandra Raszewska and Lidia Trzęsowska from Mikołaj Kopernik High School no. 3 in Kalisz, Szymon Pawlak and Dominika Struzik from the Tadeusz Kościuszko High School no. 1 in Wieluń won honourable mentions in this contest category.

The “Essay” category

“Essay” was apparently the easiest contest category, but stirred plenty of emotions. The authors could take an opportunity to demonstrate relations between physics and civilization, including other sciences, philosophy, culture, art or history.

Marta Wróbel from the Zbigniew Herbert High School no. 1 in Częstochowa won the 1^st prize for her “To the glory of physics” essay, in which she is sharing with the readers her doubts whether a professional career in physics is worthwhile.

Piotr Milewicz from the Ignacy Gilewski Junior High School in Siemiatycze won the 2^nd prize for his “Physical aspects of politics” essay, in which he has demonstrated that words spoken by politicians entertain the more, the less physical sense they contain.

Dorota Bączkiewicz from the Powstańców Wielkopolskich High School no. 1 in Środa Wielkopolska won the 3^rd prize for her “Phenomenon of the physics” essay.