PhysicsBowl

The most well-known high school physics contest in the US

Hosted by the AAPT - the world's leading science community

Over 500 schools from 11 countries compete and rank together

Outstanding students are invited to more advanced science programs

Date: Mar. 18, 2025 (Tue.) 17:00-17:45

Introduction

American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) was created in 1930 with the aim of improving physics education. The association has 8,000 registered physics teachers; half of these are professors from famous universities, whilst a third are experienced high school teachers. The association provides the latest physics methodologies and rich educational resources through meetings, forums, magazines, contests and so on.

PhysicsBowl is an annual physics contest held by the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT). Experienced registered physics teachers and professors get together to write the competition problems and judge results. It is the most influential physics contest for American high schools, with more than 5,000 participants every year. Most US students with high grades from the PhysicsBowl are also invited to join Physics Camps and Olympiads. The contest challenges students, with only one student in the past 8 years obtaining a full score. Region 15-19 in Physcisbowl are designated to represent the East, South, West, North and Central regions of China. Around 5000 students from more than 200 schools in China each year have participated and achieved outstanding grades globally, with cooperating schools and exam centers increasing year by year.

Requirements & Awards

Challenge Requirements

Language:
English

Date:
Mar. 18, 2025 (Tue.) 17:00-17:45 (45 mins)

Location:
Online

Participants:
High school students

Format:
Individual test (no experiment)

Exam problems:
Two sets of problems arranged as Division 1 and 2;
Division 1 is suitable for Grade 10 students. (IB Grade10, A-Level G2 students and excellent G1 students)
Division 2 is more difficult.(IB Grade 11-12, A-Level).

Contest questions:
40 multiple-choice questions, 45 minutes.

Awards

Individual award

  • Global top 100
  • National top 10
  • Regional top 10
  • National Gold: National top 10%
  • National Silver: National top 25%
  • National Bronze: National top 35%
  • Honorable award: Regional top 20%

Team award
The top 5 scores from a school in a particular region/division are added together to give the team score.

  • Global top 50
  • National top 10
  • Regional top 10

Notes: Division 1 and Division 2 are ranked separately

Regional Division

  • Northern China(Region 15): Beijing, Tianjin, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Hebei, Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Shandong
  • Southern China(Region 16): Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Hainan, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan China
  • Eastern China(Region 17): Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangsu
  • Central China(Region 18): Hunan, Hubei, Anhui, Jiangxi, Henan
  • Western China(Region 19): Chongqing, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Tibet, Ningxia, Xinjiang

ASDAN EPQ Scholarship

3000RMB/std

National Gold

2000RMB/std

National Silver

1000RMB/std

National Bronze

Noted:The ASDAN Scholarship is only available to Year 10, 11 and 12 students for participating ASDAN Extended Project Qualification(EPQ). EPQ is recommended by the G5 group and many leading universities as a competitive academic experience. Scholarships cannot be exchanged for cash. For further details see: http://www.seedasdan.org/epq/

Registration

Fee

Includes the exam, grading, proctor fee, past-papers, certificates (ASDAN doesn't provide any trainings)

 

Deadline

Mar. 7, 2025

Exam Centers

PhysicsBowl China Camp

In 2024, AAPT collaborated with ASEEDER for the first time to introduce the PhysicsBowl Camp to China. This camp specifically invited high-scoring Asian students who achieved 25 points or above in the 2024 PhysicsBowl. Dr. Beth A. Cunningham, the Chief Executive Officer of AAPT and the Chair of USAPO National Team, will visit China and serve as the academic advisor for this camp. Dr. Jon Anderson, a consultant for the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) as the PhysTEC Teacher-in-Residence (TIR) Coordinator and as the PhysicsBowl Academic Coordinator, was appointed as the head coach of this camp. Excellent coaches from the USAPO will also come to China to be responsible for the camp's teaching work.

The academic content of this camp will be same as the U.S. camp even involve in some university-level physics practical work. It primarily focus on inspiring young Asian physics elites to explore and cultivate a passion for advanced physics research, while deeply enhancing their abilities in critical thinking, observation, experimentation, and data analysis. The camp featured several thematic discussions at the university physics level. Students had the opportunity to engage in hands-on physics experiments, simulations, and receive guidance from mentors on scientific experimental data analysis methods.

Basic Information

Language:
English

Date:
Date:July 2024

Location:
Onsite

Eligibility:
TBD

Registration Deadline:
TBD

Seats Available:
80 students(registration will stop if it is full.)

*The schedule may be adjusted based on on-site conditions, subject to actual circumstances.

Academic Features

The USAPO and Advanced College Physics:
The instructors are coaches for the USAPO. The camp will cover topics from the USAPO syllabus, including mechanics, electricity, optics, and more. Following the thematic courses, students will have the opportunity to participate in advanced physics challenges to test their learning outcomes.

Physics Experiment and Simulation:
The camp includes approximately 2-day experimental courses. Under the guidance of mentors, students will conduct physics experiments, systematically collect and analyze data, and enhance their skills in experimental design and analysis. Students will have the opportunity to explore experimental simulators commonly used in overseas universities and research institutions, gaining insights into new opportunities for physics research in the information age.

Physics Career Planning:
In addition to enriching physics knowledge, the camp will also provide advice on long-term physics learning and career development for students passionate about physics, helping them identify learning goals and directions.

Participation Certificate:
Students who fully participate in the PhysicsBowl China Camp will receive a participation certificate issued by the Organizing Committee AAPT, demonstrating their further exploration of the field of physics.

Sample Problems

FAQ

1、Can the students bring a calculator to PhysicsBowl?
Students can bring a basic calculator (without any equation editor and program functions).
2、Can the students bring a dictionary to PhysicsBowl?

The students can bring a printed version dictionary.

3、Are there any past exam papers or other studying materials?
Access to past exam papers will be provided after registering for PhysicsBowl.
4、Refund policy
If, for some reason, the student is unable to attend after paying the fee, please contact us. If you apply before the registration deadline, 25% of the registration fee will be deducted as academic materials and service fees. If you apply after the registration deadline, no refund will be given.
Northern Contact
Northern Region:
Beijing、Tianjin、Heilongjiang、Jilin、Liaoning、 Heibei、Inner Mongolia、Shanxi、Shandong
Eastern China Contact
Eastern Region:
Shanghai、Zhejiang、Jiangsu
Central China Contact
Central Region:
Henan
Southern China Contact
Southern Region:
Guangdong、Guangxi、Fujian、Hainan、Hongkong、Macao、Taiwan
Western China Contact
Western Region:
Chongqing、Sichuan、Yunnan、Guizhou、Shaanxi、Gansu、Qinghai、Tibet、Ningxia、Xinjiang
Central China Contact
Central Region:
Hunan、Hubei、Anhui、Jiangxi