Dear AAPT Members, Colleagues, and Friends,

As AAPT Executive Officer, I am happy to report that the 2008 U.S. Physics Team is taking shape. Our best and brightest high school physics students from all over the country have taken stiff exams to compete for places on the U.S. Physics Team that will represent us in the 67th International Physics Olympiad July 20 - 29 in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Twenty-four students have made the team and will undergo rigorous training and further testing on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, MD. They will discover the world of physics — and each other. Five students will go on to Hanoi, to face teams from some 80 other countries for the final match.

You should be tremendously proud of the 2008 U. S. Physics Team and of their dedicated teachers and coaches. Our thanks to all of you for making this world world-class event possible by supporting AAPT, the American Institute of Physics, its member societies and the teaching of physics.

About the Program Mission

The U.S. Physics Team Program promotes and demonstrates academic excellence by preparing outstanding students to participate in the International Physics Olympiad. The U.S. Physics Team fulfills its mission by:

• expanding awareness of and participation in the program
• providing a meaningful scientific and cultural experience for team members, including opportunities to network and meet new people
• learning in intellectual and experiential ways; and
• gaining international exposure

 History

The Physics Olympiads began in 1967 with the first competition in Warsaw, Poland. Initially only Eastern European nations competed, but in the early 1980's, western countries began to participate, first through Germany, then the U.K., U.S.A. and Canada. The IPhOs now attract teams from all over the globe.

In 1986, AAPT and AIP organized, for the first time, the United States Physics Team. The team consisted of 20 talented high school physics students who had been nominated by their teachers. Following a rigorous and intense program in the physics department of the University of Maryland, five students were selected to represent the U.S. Team in London. The United States team brought home three Bronze Medals--the most medals any team had ever won in their first competition. Since that time, the United States team has consistently ranked near the top ten of all nations.

Selection Process

This year more than 2,830 students took the preliminary exam. From this group 417  students were selected to take the quarter finalist exam which was a new additional exam this year; where 158 students successfully advanced to the semifinal exams.  

It is from this semi-finalists' group that the 24 team members were selected. These 24 students will attend training camp at University of Maryland.  Campers will engage in  intense studying, testing and problem solving. At the end of  training camp, five students will be selected as the "Traveling Team."

The Traveling Team will meet again at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona for an extra 3 three days of intense work in the laboratory before they are ready for the International Event.

The training camp experience is immensely valuable for the participants. The instruction provides an introduction to university-style teaching and equipment. Students become familiar with aspects of first year university curricula in physics which in turn accelerates their studies during their remaining time in high school.