Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Upon arrival to camp today the students faced another extended exam. However, to help the students relax they were treated with a trip to the Spy Museum in Washington, DC in the afternoon.

Monday, May 28, 2007

It’s Memorial Day. The University of Maryland Campus is empty. Everyone is enjoying a day away from the office and the classrooms, celebrating the holiday. Everyone except the team members... Today is another challenging day at camp. By the end of the day the members will each have completed two 2 1/2 hour mystery exams.

Sunday, May 27, 2007

The students prepared for a busy day of class discussions, their fourth exam and a Mystery Lab. At night, they were able to take a break and enjoy a movie.

Saturday, May 26, 2007

It’s only a few days into camp and the team has already studied, thermodynamics and fluids, special relativity, Morden Physics, Waves, and optics, taken a practice mystery lab and completed their third exam. Wow, what a team!

Friday, May 25, 2007

UM, John Toll Lounge : The students heard from Frontier Speaker Jordan Goodman, Chair of the Univ. of Maryland Physics Department, who spoke with them about his research. Goodman has addressed the U.S. Physics Team every year the United States has sponsored a team. He is a staunch supporter and cares deeply about young people and their interest in science. Today was also the first of several big days: After lunch the students experienced their first of the 2 ½ hour Mystery Labs in preparation for the experimental examination at the 38th Physics Olympiad Competition.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

The day began with a lab introduction from lab coach Warren Turner, and then on to Labs 1 and 2. The day was busy for both team members and coaches; days here begin at 7:00 a.m. with breakfast and end well after 9:00 p.m. in independent study.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Today was the students’ first day in camp. The day began at 8:00 am when the team boarded a bus for DC to meet their state senators and representatives on Capitol Hill. They also met with Congressmen Vernon Ehlers (R-MI) and Rush Holt (D-NJ), who are both physicists. After the visit to the Hill they returned to College Park for dinner at the American Center for Physics. (See team photos).

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

College Park, MD: For the 21st year, 24 high school physics students from across the country have descended upon our nation’s capital as part of the 2007 United States Physics Team. They came by plane, train, and car. There was excitement in the air as they introduced themselves. Some had already formed friendships while traveling together.. By 6:30 p.m. most of the students had checked into their rooms and were ready for dinner. After dinner at orientation the team members were given the opportunity to introduce themselves and talk about what they planned to be doing in the next five years. Needless to say, this group of students will make great contributions to society.