Inaugural U of A Physics Olympiad Group uncovers need to support young physics enthusiasts in Southern Arizona

The inaugural meeting of the University of Arizona Physics Olympiad Group was held on August 28, 2026. This public event brought together more than 60 students and parents from a wide range of backgrounds for an evening of physics, problem solving, and community building. Approximately 30 middle and high school students from more than a dozen different schools participated, with some families traveling from across Southern Arizona.

Formed with support from the Department of Physics, and the Department of Astronomy and Steward Observatory, the U of A Physics Olympiad Group is an outreach initiative designed to expand access to advanced physics topics for middle and high school students. The group has two primary goals: (1) to facilitate in-person training for students interested in preparing for the F=ma and USA Physics Olympiad (USAPhO) competitions, and (2) to administer these competitions at the University of Arizona for students whose schools or homeschool programs may not offer them.

Co-Directors Drs. Chi-kwan Chan and Weigang Wang, and Program Coordinator Betty Sun opened the event. The goals, vision, and plans were shared with the attendees. Lead Coach Dr. Boris Georgiev, and Associate Coaches Adrian Perez-Martinez and Nikoli Cooper explained the program, logistics, and expectations to the attendees. Parents and students attended their respective sessions for ice-breakers, presentations, and discussions. Everyone had an opportunity to share their favorite physics formula to their respective group—a fitting highlight amongst young and seasoned physics enthusiasts alike.

The Co-Directors and Program Coordinator led an engaging discussion with parents on how to best support young students interested in physics and physics competitions, as well as presented resources available at the University of Arizona. The coaches led students in one of three break-out sessions to tackle and discuss actual, past, F=ma and USAPhO exam questions. Extensions of time were granted to relieved students at the break-out sessions when the energy level continued to build and discussion of physics problems were too interesting to wrap-up.  

Unlike traditional classroom instructions, the U of A Physics Olympiad Group emphasizes active problem solving and coach-mediated, peer-led discussions. Through working together on challenging problems, students had an opportunity to try the type of analytical thinking and persistence required in physics competitions, while meeting peers who share their enthusiasm for the subject. Parents also had an opportunity to network, bond over shared challenges, and trade stories.

The evening concluded with a hands-on physics demonstration featuring an uphill-rolling double cone, a classic demonstration that appears to defy gravity. Although the double cone seems to roll upward along an inclined track, its center of mass is actually moving downward—a visually surprising demonstration of the importance of geometry and center-of-mass physics.

The Department of Physics and the Department of Astronomy and Steward Observatory extend special thanks to Co-Directors Drs. Weigang Wang and Chi-Kwan Chan for their vision in starting the U of A Physics Olympiad Group and for their tireless efforts to ensure its success and vitality.  Special thanks are also directed to Program Coordinator Betty Sun, the primary organizer of Friday’s event, for her planning, coordination, and presence. We also applaud the coaches, Dr. Boris Geogiev of the Steward Observatory, and Mr.Adrian Perez-Martinez and Mr. Nikoli Cooper from the Department of Physics, for generously volunteering their time, expertise, and passion to share their enthusiasm in physics with Southern Arizona’s rising young physicists. With Friday’s public event now drawing to a close, the coaches are now busily preparing problem sets and activities for their newly admitted members ahead of the group’s fortnightly meetings.

The strong interests and attendance at the inaugural meeting of the U of A Physics Olympiad Group has uncovered a previously overlooked need to support young physics enthusiasts on advanced physics topics in southern Arizona. Through continued problem-solving sessions, preparation for national physics competitions, and local administration of the F=ma and USAPhO examinations, the UA Physics Olympiad Group aims to build a playground, on the U of A campus, where motivated young students can challenge themselves, learn from one another, and deepen their interest in physics.

Parties interested in supporting or volunteering for the U ofA Physics Olympiad Group should contact its Program Coordinator Betty Sun at sunyb@arizona.edu.