Awards for the SJPO and SPhO were given out on 14 March 2019, at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Institute of Physics Singapore (IPS).
About 1800 students took part in the 11th Singapore Junior Physics Olympiad (SJPO) in 2018, and about 200 students took part in the 31st Singapore Physics Olympiad (SPhO) in 2018. A total of 1149 students won awards at SJPO and 65 students won awards at SPhO.
SJPO 2018 Gold Medallists (Photo courtesy of Bernard Ricardo)Absolute Winner of SJPO 2018 (Photo courtesy of Bernard Ricardo)SPhO BronzeSPhO SilverSPhO GoldAbsolute WinnerNational TeamSPhO 2018 (Photos courtesy of Bernard Ricardo)
The awards ceremony was followed by a very rich panel discussion involving LIM Hock, LOH Huanqian, TAN Meng-Chwan, KWEK Leong Chuan, CHEONG Siew Ann, and Dawn TAN.
Panel discussion
Some interesting discussion points:
Even if we arrive at a “theory of everything”, we will still need physics and chemistry and biology as knowing the fundamental theory does not mean we can easily derive emergent behaviour.
Singapore need not rush to an energy solution using nuclear because it is not yet an urgent issue — so we can afford to study the different designs and technologies.
The event concluded with informal networking and refreshments.
[Guest post by Eliana Davita, edited by Zhiming Darren Tan]
On the 9th of March 2018, a group of intelligent, passionate young students, bursting with energy and potential, gathered in the lecture theatre of the NTU School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences for the annual Physics Olympiad Awards Ceremony.
The winning students were awarded with well-deserved medals, certificates and interesting physics books as the special awards. Amongst the titles was a dynamic duo; Surely You’re Joking, Mr Feynman! as well as What Do You Care What Other People Think? by the wonderfully weird and brilliant physicist Richard Feynman. There was also A Brief History of Time by Professor Stephen Hawking, who recently passed away.
However, the special awards that pleasantly surprised the national team were the classy red ties!
Our prizes got our tongues tied! (Photo by Terence Chiew)
The Highly Impactful Keynote Speech
Our keynote speaker this year, Emeritus Professor Bernard Tan, opened with a powerful speech on science, technology and careers in the scientific or technological fields.
Thinking of a Career in Research?
Prof Tan mentioned that one of the most important qualities that a researcher must have is passion for their work. There needs to be passion in order to enjoy having to devote lots of time and effort into the work.
He also said that most of the researchers he knows are endearingly eccentric!
Prof Tan spent some time discussing other possible career options that might interest students, and have the potential of making an impact in society. The study of physics provides a rigorous preparation of the mind, and the knowledge and skills gained from that study can be flexibly applied to many diverse fields.
Scientific/Technological Advancements and its History
Prof Tan shared that he was fascinated with the scientific and technological advancements that occurred during World War II, the more he delved into history. From computers and radar to the Manhattan Project that developed the atomic bomb, no one can deny that the war revolutionised engineering and technology. Unfortunately, this also brought tremendous horrors. In the words of Robert Oppenheimer, “In some sort of crude sense which no vulgarity, no humour, no overstatement can quite extinguish, the physicists have known sin.”
Of course, technological advancements have also brought about a vast amount of good. Prof Tan looked back on key technological breakthroughs in the 18th and 19th centuries, from both East and West, and traced the progress of science in tandem with technology. He spoke for example on musical scales from ancient China, and on steam engines, a nifty invention that made transportation much faster.
The text of his prepared speech can be found here.
You’ve Heard of Comic-Con. Now Get Ready for…
Ever wondered what a Physics-Con panel was like? The panel consisted of Prof Tan, Mr Eugene Seo, Associate Professor Ng Hui Khoon, Associate Professor Rajdeep Singh Rawat, Dr Nidhi Sharma, Mr Fu Wei, Associate Professor Kwek Leong Chuan, and Dr He Ruimin.
Moderated by Prof Rawat, the eight brilliant panellists were there to share and discuss their ideas with audience. The topic of discussion centrifuged around the promises and perils of physics in the future.
Dr He sharing his thoughts on the future of physics (Photo by Nadya Goh)
A lot of important information was shared during this session as it really told us what we should look forward to and be careful of with regards to physics in society. For example, there was a debate on nuclear energy and climate change, and the impact of rising sea levels. The panellists warned how global warming will change the conditions we live in, and encouraged us to find green solutions to the problem of our massive carbon footprint on the Earth.
The panellists agreed that a good grounding in physics would provide students with a strong foundation to meet the many challenges facing the world. They shared engaging anecdotes of the diversity of careers open to those with a solid physics background.
In addition, there was also the discussion about encouraging more women to pursue careers in the STEM fields. The panellists opined that with proper encouragement, more women will be attracted to STEM-related careers and inspired to put in the hard work and to take on such challenges.
“There are no perils in physics!” exclaims Prof Rawat (Photo by Terence Chiew)
In the end, the audience was abuzz, the promising young minds full of hope and wonder for the future of science, society and mankind. The dialogue ended with a reflection that at the heart of the matter, curiosity and child-like wonder drive exploration and interest in nature.
Here’s to grooming generations of avid scientists who strive to make the world a better place using their magic wands of physics!
A future researcher from ACSI! (Photo by Terence Chiew)
Acknowledgements
Huge thanks go out to Associate Professor Cesare Soci and Professor Christian Kurtsiefer for integrating this awards ceremony as part of the 2018 IPS Meeting, and to Ms Sruthi Varier for coordinating logistics for the session. Thanks also to Dr Lim Kim Yong for his assistance in organising the event.
This session would also not have been possible without the services of Mr Vincent Ribli as emcee, Ms Hillary Chan at the awards table, and Ms Nadya Goh as photographer. Thanks to Mrs Fabiola Soong for arranging their help. Mr Terence Chiew also contributed photos (link).
Last but not least, thanks to all the speakers who also helped to give out the prizes! They were also joined by Prof Kurtsiefer and Dr Chen Zilong.
Singapore Physics Olympiad Training (SPOT) 