Physics Field Day is a high school physics competition hosted by the SPS. Parts of the event will challenge your abilities in experimentation; others in approximation. The written section is designed to emulate the AP Physics exam and a great way to study!

 

 

The physics field day winners of 2015. From left to right: First place – Brandon Shockley, second place – Nate Lee, third place – Jacob Bell

 

The competition will begin with a two hour written exam composed of multiple choice and free response questions. This will be followed by a ‘back of the envelope’ section consisting of timed Fermi Problems. After lunch there will be a hands on, experimental competition. The qualitative portions will be algebra based and AP style, and as such will be a good way to prepare for the actual exam.

Following the testing, we have had presentations from experts in astrophysics, atomic physics, and biophysics, lab tours, and more! We have had a total of $300 in prizes to give away in past years!

The competition will take place in the Howey Physics Building on April 13th, 2024. On the day of Physics Field Day, please arrive by 8:00 am enter through the doors along Atlantic Drive (a brick walking path). The nearest available parking is in the Howey lot ($2/hr).

How To Register

There are two steps to registering for the GT SPS Physics Field Day. Steps can be done in any order, but must be completed by March 30th to guarantee a spot at Physics Field Day. To guarantee a Physics Field Day 2024 T-shirt, please complete these steps by March 23rd.

  1. Registration Form
    • Fill out a quick registration form. If you are a teacher, fill out this registration form instead. Please list a valid email address so we can send important information about Physics Field Day!
  2. Payment
    • Venmo (preferred)
      • To pay with Venmo, please send payment ($25 per student/teacher) to Antonina (Tonya) Melnikova (@tonyamel). Last four digit verification is 7643. In the Venmo description, please note student’s name and school.
    • Cash or Check
      • To pay with cash, please send money with a sheet of paper noting each students name and school. Cash can be sent to: Attn: Pranav Muthukrishnan, Howey Physics Bldg, 837 State St NW, Atlanta, GA 30332.
      • To pay with a check, please send make the check out to Antonina Melnikova and note the student’s name and school in the memo. If paying for more than one student, please send the check with another sheet of paper noting each students name and school. Checks can be sent to: Attn: Pranav Muthukrishnan, Howey Physics Bldg, 837 State St NW, Atlanta, GA 30332.

Next Steps: Please complete our wavier packet for students and upload using this form by April 5th, 2024. Can’t wait to see you soon!

If you cannot afford to pay the full amount, please contact Corinne Hill (ahill304@gatech.edu) and/or Srijan Deoraj (sdeoraj3@gatech.edu) to see if we can make a special arrangement for you, we want everyone to be able to participate in physics fun!

Stay tuned for our final cash prize amount! We will update this progress bar as we get closer to $3,000 for Physics students like you!

3000
250

For questions or concerns, please contact the Physics Field Day Co-Chairs: Corinne Hill (ahill304@gatech.edu) and Srijan Deoraj (sdeoraj3@gatech.edu).

 

Map

Itinerary

8:00 – 8:30 AM: Check-in & T-shirt Distribution L1
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM: Introductions and Opening Ceremony L1
9:00 AM – 10:05 AM: FRQ & Challenge Questions L1
10:05 AM – 10:20 AM: Snack Break
10:20 AM – 11:25 AM: MCQ L1
11:25 AM – 12:00 PM: Fermi Questions L1
12:00 – 1:00 PM: Lunch and Demos Howey Courtyard
1:00 – 2:30 PM: Experimental Round L1
2:30 – 3:00 PM: Keynote Speaker L1
3:00 – 4:00 PM: Lab Tours Various
4:00 PM – 4:45 PM: Snacks and Student Research Presentation L1
4:45 PM – 5:00 PM: Awards Ceremony L1

Past Exams