Get Involved
[Click on the arrow icon to open up the answers to your selected questions]
What is the UBC Physics Olympics event?
Physics Olympics is an annual science competition organized by the Department of Physics & Astronomy (UBC Faculty of Science) and the Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy (UBC Faculty of Education). Taking place on UBC campus, this full day experience for B.C. high school teams is comprised of two pre-build projects, two labs, Fermi questions and a physics quiz game call “Quizzics!”.
The team with the lowest decibel score at the end of the day receives a trophy for their school, as well as other awards. Up to five students from a team can participate in any given event, with each event being open to the same or a different set of team members. Teams may have between 1 and 30 students.
The competition is a fun and creative challenge for students and teachers, and all teams are supported and celebrated for participating.
What does this event cost?
Registration: In 2025, we will charge $80 per team, which covers some of our budget expenses, with the competition being partly subsidized by the organizing departments.
Materials/equipment: We will never require expensive parts or select equipment (like a laser cutter or 3-D printer) for creating competitive pre-build designs. There will always be budget-oriented ways to complete pre-build challenges.
Funding: In many BC public schools, PACs have gaming grants (about $200) that can go to registration, materials, etc.
I’m a teacher and want to participate – how do I start?
Check out our website! we have multiple pages that aim to help you through the entire process:
- Registration provides sign up information
- The Rule Books outline the pre-build and competition logistics.
- For Teachers page gives additional backgrond on the Physics Olympics competition, along with tips and recommendations on how to prepare your classes
- The Timetable of events shows the day’s schedule.
- And the Home page will alert you to upcoming deadlines.
- For viewing past activities, check out the Gallery.
If you have any questions, or would like to connect with a more experienced teacher, contact Marina Milner-Bolotin for more information.
I’m a teacher looking for mentorship – are there opportunities to connect with more experienced teachers?
If you would like to connect with a more experienced teacher for tips, or advice, we can connect you! Please contact Marina Milner-Bolotin to inquire.
I’m a teacher and haven’t participated in this event before – how do I set up a student team?
Visit physics classes, send out school announcements and set up a communication structure: group chat, meeting schedule, and lots of preparation practice!
This event is open to students in grades 10, 11 and 12. Some teachers recommend that grades 11 and 12 are most appropriate for the competition material. However, exceptional grade 10 students have participated successfully in the past. Teams are generally from 5-10 students.
If you would like to connect with a more experienced teacher for tips, or advice, we can connect you! Please contact Marina Milner-Bolotin to inquire.
I’m a teacher – how do I prepare my class for the different events (prebuilds, labs, Fermi questions and Quizzics)?
Prebuilds: Read the rule books carefully! Ensure that students understand what is not permitted and what is required for the event. Check students’ building progress carefully so there are no surprise disqualifications on the day!
Brainstorm early! Students will need a lot of time to try out different designs, building methods, parts, etc. Many things will fail initially, so test, test, and test!
For examples on prebuilds from previous years, see the rule books from past events here.
Labs: We provide a short description of the general lab topic in the rule book – the details of the lab are kept as a surprise. Student teams will thus receive lab instructions on the day of the competition when they enter the event.
Quizzics: Quizzics questions are physics questions in multiple choice format. Examples are available here, at the UBC faculty of Education Department of curriculum and Pedagogy website, under the “Secondary” tab and then “Physics”.
Fermi questions: Fermi questions are order of magnitude estimation problems. You can find many examples online, including:
- Innovative Teaching Ideas: An Excellent Collection of Fermi Problems for your class
- Wikipedia: Fermi problem – see “External links” at the bottom of the page for Fermi question collections for students and teachers
- STEM Learning: Fermi problems
I’m a teacher/student – where can I find Quizzics practice questions?
UBC Faculty of Education Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy has Secondary School questions related to physics here. The questions are found under each subtopic, ranging from Vectors to Magnetism to Thermodynamics to Circular Motion and more. These are all examples of “quizzics” questions.
I’m a teacher/student – where can I find Fermi practice questions?
There are many Fermi questions online. Here are some examples:
- Innovative Teaching Ideas: An Excellent Collection of Fermi Problems for your class
- Wikipedia: Fermi problem – see “External links” at the bottom of the page for Fermi question collections for students and teachers
- STEM Learning: Fermi problems
I’m a student – How can I participate in the Physics Olympics if there is no teacher at my high school participating in this event?
While physics teachers often serve as coaches, there is no requirement for the coach to be a physics teacher. If the physics teacher in your school is unavailable, ask around your school to see if another teacher can coach your team. Depending on your school’s rules, a parent could possibly serve as a coach, too. Should you need to ask a parent to be a coach, please check with your high school Principal to ensure this is allowed, and if so, what the school requires of the parent.
Tips & Recommendations
For teachers
How to approach this event: This competition is about team spirit, community and physics fun! We value everyone’s participation, regardless of scores.
Some teachers have found it helpful to be less competitive and more collaborative/supportive of their students. It is important to practice physics concepts throughout the year in labs and classes that relate to the events.
Prebuilds: Start prebuilds early(!) – this will take up most of your time. It’s fun for students to brainstorm designs, but help direct them to keep it simple – actual builds are hard to do and you need enough time for multiple failures and successes. Remember: Projects can break – be prepared!
The prebuilds will never require expensive equipment, parts, or machinery. *Important note: Glue guns and popsicle sticks can be part of successful builds!
Communication: Make sure your students are organized (give them group chat, meeting times, communication directions). Check their projects regularly and act like a judge (make sure they are following rules – creatively following the rules is not the same as trying to circumvent them!).
For BC teachers in remote locations wanting to participate at UBC
Traveling to UBC from a distant provincial location has its challenges. It takes much organization, time and determination to manage a large student competition trip. So, is it worth it?
We think it is! Our 2023 Physics Olympics hosted 760+ students, teachers and coaches. The energy was electric and the networking was incredible. Apart from our event, there are many things to add on to your trip:
- TRIUMF: Canada’s Particle Accelerator tours (these will be organized beforehand by members of our organizing committee)
- Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute – to inquire about tours please contact outreach@phas.ubc.ca
- ATLAS lab – UBC Department of Physics & Astronomy
- UBC campus tours
- Vancouver! See the sites while you’re here (Grouse Mountain, Downtown, Granville Island, English Bay beach, and more).
If you would like to connect with an experienced teacher who travels from a remote location for this event, we can connect you! Please contact Marina Milner-Bolotin to inquire.
For students
This event is a about team collaboration – support your team! Try your best: you are part of the Physics Olympics family now as a representative of your school, so we will celebrate you just for participating!
*Bring extra parts for your pre-builds* Projects can break and bend (and sometimes can have an unscheduled disassembly through an accidental drop test or getting sat upon). The competition day presents a large, busy and competitive environment, but we got you! Your peers, teachers/coaches and event volunteers are all here for help and support.
Rewards
What do students and teachers get from participating in this event?
One student reported that it was through this event that she clarified her interests in post-secondary education (she’s now in first year engineering) and lost her hesitancy about how to proceed.
A practiced teacher who has been involved in the Physics Olympics since 2007 keeps coming back for the experience for his physics students and the opportunity to be at UBC and its neighbouring physics venues (TRIUMF, SBQMI, PHAS labs).
Another teacher explained that this competition opens different ways to engage with students: to support their ideas, creativity, successes, failures and challenges in a mentorship capacity.
Pre-Build Questions
[Click on the arrow icon to open up the answers to your selected questions]
Pre-build #1 Pendulum Launcher and Pendulum Launcher data (by Dr. Valery Milner)
- *Note: Jan 14, 2026: the Pendulum rule book has as further amendment: please find most recent edits in the above document.
- *Note: Jan 07, 2026: the Pendulum rule book has been amended; please find edits in red in the above document.
Question 1: In the rule book, it states that any change of potential and/or kinetic energy due to the motion of any internal component should not be sufficient to launch the projectile. Would we be allowed to use gears in the launcher?
Answer: Yes, gears are certainly allowed.
Question 2: Our design team was looking to create our own driver for the shaft, and we were hoping we could have the precise dimensions of the shaft.
Answer: Here is what we are using: https://www.mcmaster.com/8632T132/
Question 3: Re: size constraints for the Pendulum Launcher: The competition rules state that the launcher must not exceed 60cm in length, height, or depth. Our current design complies with this requirement prior to launch. However, during the actuation of the device, certain components of the launcher move upward as part of the launching motion, temporarily extending above the initial 60cm height. Could we confirm whether the 60cm height constraint applies strictly to the launcher’s dimensions at rest before launch, or if any component exceeding 60cm during the launching motion would be considered a violation of the size constraint?
Section 4.D.c. of the rules states: “No component may leave the launcher, or extend beyond the size limits of the device (60cm x 60cm x 60cm), other than the provided projectile (hacky sack). This includes any moving parts extending towards the edges of the design space.” So no, vertical extension during the launch beyond the 60cm limit is NOT allowed.
Question 4: The rules say we can’t have pre-compressed springs. Does that rule out all compressions springs as they are slightly compressed in the rest state?
Yes, absolutely NO deliberately pre-compressed springs! A *very slight* pre-compression could be ok – e.g., if without it the spring will fall down, BUT it must be so small, that if released, this spring will not be able to move any part of your device (not just the pendulum, but also other parts inside the device!).
Question #5: If the swinging pendulum causes the springs to compress from the rest state is that ok?
Yes, this is definitely allowed.
Question #6: For the pendulum launcher, can we use a pre-made ratchet device? Or if we want to use a ratchet do we need to make one ourselves?
Pre-made ratchet devices will be allowed.
Question #7: When a hacky sack is loaded onto our launcher, it compresses a spring very slightly – is that legal?
The rules say that nothing in your device should be pre-compressed *before* the judges put the hacky sack onto your launcher, so having a small compression due to the weight of the hacky sack is within the rules and will be allowed.
Question #8: Re: the rule book statement: “the firing mechanism must be accessible from the side of the table opposite to the pendulum” – does this mean the activation of the firing mechanism must be part of the 60x60x60cm size restriction? If yes, how easy will it be for a person to reach across the table to activate the firing mechanism?
Yes, the triggering mechanism must be located within the overall size limitations (a small switch, a lever, or a piece of string extending slightly outside of the launcher by a couple of cm will also be allowed). If accessing the trigger from the other side of the table is difficult, we will allow to activate the device from the side of the pendulum, as long as that action does not interfere with the motion of the pendulum.
Question #9: Re: the stored tension aspect as stated in the rule book: In this context, can springs be under tension before the pendulum is swung if we can prove that the pre-existing tension won’t be released to the catapult?
If the pre-existing tension won’t be released during the operation of the launcher, then it is allowed.
Question #10: Our device uses a rotating arm attached to a gear to launch the hacky sack, and we would like to inquire if this breaks the rule of no stored gravitational energy, as the arm would be at a high angle when attached to the device, but the pendulum would be the source of the energy which speeds the arm up to hit the hacky sack with sufficient force to move it off the table. Is this legal?
If the arm of your device gets released without the pendulum – will it launch the hacky sack? If so, then it sounds like it’s against the rules. The rules say that any amount of pre-stored energy (in your case, due to the elevated arm) should not be enough to launch the hacky sack.
Pre-build #2: Pole Climber (by Dr. Andrzej Kotlicki)
General Info: “Climbing” means moving up the pole using the forces between the climber and the pole. Bringing something up by towing from a flying device or reaching from the bottom by some telescoping device is not climbing. I am sure members of our local Vancouver climbing clubs would be very offended to hear that the official description of their “climbing” was reduced to being pulled up the rocky surface of a mountain by helicopter! *Also, please note that the PVC poles we are using as the climbing poles in the competition have been reinforced to prevent them from wobbling.
Question 1: Who supplies the phone? Must it be an iphone?
Answer: Each team is responsible for supplying their own iphone to use for this event. The Physics Olympics organizers do not have any iphones to lend to teams.
Question 2: Will the top of the pole be secured to something to prevent it from wobbling?
Answer: There are to be no lines to secure the the pole in the pole climber instructions.
Question 3: Is the score based off of the absolute value of the accelerations, or can positive and negative accelerations cancel out?
Answer: As recorded in the rules, you will record and send the absolute acceleration.
Question 4: Does the recording start at the 28 cm mark or from the start of the motion? If our device is much smaller than 28 cm it will take time to get to the start line. Does that time count? Can the students press start and stop while the phone is in motion once it passes the 28 cm line?
The front of the climber has to be on the start line waiting for start not on the bottom.
Question 5: Would purchasing a complete drone system and modifying it to comply with the competition rules (for example, removing the control components or adding a pole attachment) go against the spirit and intent of the rules?
I am not sure how you are going to use the mechanism of the drone, but keep in mind that you are building a pole climber, not a machine flying around the pole. Climbing a mountain does not mean that you take a helicopter up with you, even if the helicopter somehow drags the climbing rope on the ground.
Question 6: Is the use of LEGO robotics permitted?
Yes.
Question 7: Are we allowed to use any VEX robotics components for the pole climber?
Yes.
Question 8: Are there any limitations to the material(s) used for the pole climber?
No.
Question 9: At the starting position, must the pole climber be positioned at the centre of the pole?
The climber has to be in the start position.
Question 10: Is the use of an Arduino microcontroller in combination with motors permitted?
Yes.
Question 11: Could my team use arduino nanos/Ev43 batteries and motors to create a robot that could traverse the pole?
Yes.
Question 12: If I understand correctly, the scoring does not actually penalize incomplete climbing of the pole. For example, if a pole-climber climbs up exactly 10cm and descends exactly 10cm, then the weighted added term equals 0 and there is no actual penalty. What incentive do teams have to climb the full length of the pole? What prevents them from just focusing on equalizing ascent and descent distance?
Hi, these two terms are absolute values, so they always add up.
Question 13: Can we pre-program a flying drone connect to the pole – no remote control, but it would follow a set of instructions totally autonomously. Is this in violation of any rules? Would that be disqualified at the event?
You are expected to build a pole climber, not a “fly by pole” instrument eve if it is somehow connected to the pole. Climbing means that the force pushing the climber up comes from interaction with the pole.
Question 14: Will the iPhone running PhyPhox be supplied by the event organizers, or should it be one of our own phones?
The iPhone is supplied by the team.
Question 15: Would pre-written code written for a microprocessor be counted as “controlled remotely or touched”, and thus be outlawed during the attempts?
Pre-written code that is programmed into the microprocessor prior to the event is ok; pre-written code that is actively sent to the microprocessor during the trial would be considered “controlled remotely” and not permitted.
Question 16: We are wondering if the lights for the room will be on or off during the trial (we are working on sensor ideas)?
The rooms lights will be on.
Question 17: To clarify what counts as the “‘”pole climber reaching the top”: can we add an extendable pole, so that the device starts off below the height limitation (28 cm) but then extends beyond so that we could reduce the height climbed? We would then have a part of the pole climber visible above the pole, but the main body of our robot doesn’t have to travel as far. Is this possible?
It will not be allowed. There is a big different between climbing the pole and reaching something high with a tool.
Question 18: Can the pole climber use electronics to function while still following all rules of the competition?
Yes!
Question 19: The rules say that “At the start positioning on the pole, the height of the entire climber, including the attached phone, must fit into a cylinder of diameter 30 cm and height 28 cm.” Is it okay if the climber’s dimensions change as it climbs? For example, if its dimensions fit within the described cylinder at the start but then
become bigger than the cylinder after it’s been climbing for a while, is that okay?
No, the dimensions of the climber can not change during the climb.
Question 20: I have a question regarding the rules of the prebuild competition. They state that the climber cannot in any way damage the pole. Does this include leaving a residue on in? For instance, if the contact points were coated with a sticky substance, would that be allowed?
No, it would not be allowed. It would affect all the teams competing after.
Question 21: Are the PVC pipes warped at all or are they completely straight?
They are straight: brand new from Home Depot.
Question 22: Is the acceleration calculated in m/s or cm/s?
It is calculated in m/s^2
Question 23: Our pole climber design team has a question re: the limits of the build: one proposed design includes a string attached near the top of the pole. A motor mounted inside the cellphone holder (moving with the phone as it ascends and descends) would wind and unwind the string to control vertical motion. The intention is for the motor to wind the string to ascend and unwind it to descend. The string would be clipped or taped to the pole in a ways that would not cause any damage. Would this design be considered acceptable within the competition rules?
No, it would not be allowed. The string is exceeding the dimensions of the climber.
Question 24: We would like to use sensors for the challenge. Could we calibrate the sensors on the day before the challenge using the PVC pipe used in the challenge as the colours/shades of the PVC pipes would be different event though they are made of PVC?
No, everyone has the same time to prepare. The pole is a standard 1″ (inner) PVC tube from Home Depot. I understand that the light sensors have to recognize the top of the pole so I do not think the possible tiny differences in the pole colour will make a difference.
Question 25: Our team is using an electronic circuit to build the robot. It will operate in the following way: after it is installed at the bottom of the pole, a person clicks the power button. One second later, the robot starts climbing. After reaching the top of the pole, it automatically moves downward without any touch or remote control. When it reaches the bottom, a sensor detects the ground and turns the robot off. We would like to make sure that this setup does not violate any of
the competition rules.
Hi. Sounds great.
Question 26: Is there a specific time-limit penalty or a ‘dead robot’ rule triggered if a robot ceases movement mid-climb? Specifically, if a robot stalls for ~30 seconds while descending but eventually completes the maneuver without human intervention, does this pause affect the score or result in a disqualification for that run?
If the climber completes the run within the allotted time, there will be no penalty for stopping.
Question 27: I am wondering if the teams need to process the acceleration data from the pole climber at all, or if we just send the file download by exporting to excel from the phyphox app.
Hi. No processing is needed or allowed.
Question #28: Is it ok if we use a very long USB cable to control the pole climber? Assuming the computer is only used for a single starting action, would that be ok?
No. The cable and the computer would be a part of the climber and it would make its size too big.
Question #29: After completing the run and recording the acceleration data using the Phyphox app, how should teams submit their data to the instructors/judges? For example, should the exported data file be sent via email, or will another submission method be used on site? Additionally, will the calculation of the score (aav) be performed by the judges using Excel or a similar tool?
Teams will email their data to us, and we will process the row file.