Balloon-propelled boats and cart jousting were just a few of the competitions that tested the problem solving skills and physics knowledge of 80 high school students from across Oʻahu at the , held at for the third consecutive year in February.
This year’s competition featured 14 teams representing:
- Farrington High School
- ʻIolani School
- Kalani High School
- Kaiser High School
- Mililani High School
- Le Jardin Academy
Students worked collaboratively throughout the day, rotating through timed, experiential challenges that emphasized teamwork, precision and applied critical thinking.
Inspiring the next generation
“The challenges were really fun and built a base for learning,” said Farrington High School senior Qunicy Sablan. “It’s cool seeing and participating in the wide variety of events that are all hands-on.”
The event is organized by the Â鶹´«Ã½ section of the (AAPT-HI).
“These high school students get to be on a college campus and have a fun day of physics, competition, and camaraderie amongst themselves as well as with other schools,” said Kapiʻolani CC physics instructor and Vice President of AAPT Jacob Tyler. “Engaging students in applied physics challenges strengthens STEM pathways and inspires the next generation of learners.”
Legacy of scientific curiosity in Â鶹´«Ã½
Kapiʻolani CC Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs ±·¨¡·É²¹ʻ²¹ Napoleon encouraged students to see their work in physics as part of a longer legacy of scientific curiosity in Â鶹´«Ã½.
“Our Aliʻi, especially King Kal¨¡kaua, husband of Queen Kapiʻolani, in 1881 met with Thomas Edison in New York to discuss the physics of electricity,” said Napoleon. “ʻIolani Palace had electricity before the White House or Buckingham Palace. In today’s competition, let physics be your constant, and let creativity be your variable.”
Challenges were developed by students from Kapiʻolani CC, Leeward CC, University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ and Brigham Young University.
ʻIolani School physics teacher Doug Ellman, president of AAPT, said, “This is our 36th year running the event and part of the history of physics here in Â鶹´«Ã½. It’s a really special event that brings together our Â鶹´«Ã½ physics community.”