Announcement: Final round of the state physics competition at the RPTU in Kaiserslautern

From 26 to 28 May, around 20 pupils from grades 10 and 11 will come together at the University Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU) for a physics seminar and the 3rd round of the state physics competition. Half of them will compete in the final round of the competition. In addition, all of the young people attend physics workshops and conduct experiments in the laboratory. The programme includes wave optics, measurement techniques and working in the physics laboratory. The winner of the state competition will be chosen on Wednesday, 28 May.

At the beginning, the 20 students have to present a previously completed assignment and present the results of their work in a colloquium. They are also required to carry out and analyse two experiments independently in the laboratory. The performance in the experiments, the colloquium and the homework are assessed in equal parts and ultimately decide who wins the competition. The winner will be invited by the Department of Physics to take part in an internship where they will gain an insight into laboratory work.

Parallel to the competition, there is a physics seminar for all pupils. In lectures and experiments, they will gain an insight into physics research together with the competition participants. Among other things, they will learn how 3D microprinting with light works, why ultracold quantum gases are so important and what light absorption and colour in flower and plant petals are all about. In addition, all young people will receive information about the Early Studies in Physics (FiPS) and the Physics, Biophysics and TechnoPhysics degree programmes offered by the Department of Physics at RPTU in Kaiserslautern.

The pupils attend various grammar schools in Rhineland-Palatinate.

The state physics competition was initiated by the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. It is sponsored by the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Education, the Heraeus Foundation, the DPG, the State Research Centre for Optics and Materials Science (OPTIMAS), the Collaborative Research Centres SFB-TR185 (OSCAR - Open System Control of Atom and Photonic Matter) and SFB-TR173 (SPIN+X - Spin in its collective environment) as well as the Sparkasse Kaiserslautern.

Questions answered:

Anett Fleischhauer
Deanery Physics
Phone: 0631 205-5251
E-Mail: anett.fleischhauer(at)rptu.de