Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Novosibirsk State University –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
In the first half of December, NSU held its first Physics Olympiad for schoolchildren "Your Path to Real Science" Abroad. In Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, graduating students participated in the Olympiad in French, in Guinea in English, and in China in Chinese. A total of 100 schoolchildren from African countries and China participated in the Olympiad. The Center for Public Diplomacy co-organized the Olympiad in Africa, and partners of Novosibirsk State University co-organized the Olympiad in China.
NSU and the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences have been holding the physics olympiad "Your Path to Real Science" for school students since 2019. However, it has a long-standing tradition, dating back to the 1970s and 1980s, and is based on the format of the entrance examinations for the NSU Physics Department. The olympiad is designed for students in grades 8–11 and aims to develop their intuition for physics by solving both standard physics problems and unique assessment and demonstration problems. "Your Path to Real Science" is included in the list of the Russian Council of School Olympiads (RSOSH) and has been assigned Level 2. Winning and placing in the olympiad provide significant advantages when applying to NSU and other leading Russian universities, including the opportunity to enroll without entrance examinations.
The Olympiad consists of two stages: the first, qualifying round, takes place in December in two formats—in-person and online. The winners of the first round participate in the final round, which is held in March in person at several locations, including Novosibirsk State University. The first qualifying round took place in African countries and China.
"When developing the tasks for the qualifying round, we deliberately avoided adapting or simplifying the options for international participants. All students, regardless of their country of residence, completed the same tasks. This allows us to obtain an objective picture and compare their level of preparation, as the Olympiad aims to reveal physical intuition and innovative thinking. The work is currently being reviewed and will be completed in January. The participants with the best results will win prizes in the qualifying round and will be eligible to participate in the final round of the Olympiad, which will take place in March," said Artur Pogosov, Chairman of the Olympiad's Methodological Committee, Doctor of Physics and Mathematics, and Head of the Department of General Physics. Faculty of Physics of NSU.
Foreign winners and runners-up of the final round will be granted preferential treatment upon admission to NSU, such as additional points based on individual achievements or other benefits established by the admission rules for foreign citizens.
"Participation in the Olympiad not only allows international students to showcase their achievements and share experiences with their peers, but also provides a unique opportunity to continue their education at Novosibirsk State University. Talented young people can receive valuable advice from faculty and leading scientists, which undoubtedly contributes to their professional growth. Furthermore, participation in such competitions helps develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are an integral part of studying physics," noted Evgeny Sagaydak, Head of the Education Export Department.
The event aims to identify and support gifted schoolchildren and develop their interest in the sciences and engineering. Participants are offered challenging tasks that test their knowledge and abilities not only in physics but also in related fields. The success of the Olympiad confirmed the students' interest in science and the importance of international cooperation in education.
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