Scholarships on the Line in UA’s High School Physics Contest Set for Feb. 11

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Hundreds of high school students from Alabama and surrounding states are expected to compete in The University of Alabama’s 35^th annual physics contest Feb. 11 on campus.

Registration deadline is Monday, Feb. 7, and a registration form and more information are available at http://physics.ua.edu/contest/Contest2011.html, or you may phone 205/348-5050 or e-mail Nancy Pekera at npekera@bama.ua.edu. There is no registration fee.

Four-year, in-state tuition scholarships are awarded to the top two finishers in the written exam who choose to attend UA. Other students who do well in the competition are invited to apply for the E. Scott Barr Scholarship program that awards generous scholarships to students majoring in physics.

In addition to the written exam, there is also a fast-paced team ciphering contest. The event, sponsored by UA’s department of physics and astronomy, routinely attracts students from Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee, and last year more than 300 students participated.

In addition to the student competition, the event includes programs for teachers, an open house on research in physics, a physics show and informal opportunities to experience campus life at UA.

Participants in the contest who choose to travel to campus the preceding day are invited to attend the astronomy public night on Thursday, Feb. 10 beginning at 7 p.m. During this event, held at UA’s Gallalee Hall, participants can attend an astronomy talk and, weather permitting, peer through UA’s 16-inch reflector telescope.

UA’s department of physics and astronomy is part of the College of Arts and Sciences, the University’s largest division and the largest liberal arts college in the state. Students from the College have won numerous national awards including Rhodes Scholarships, Goldwater Scholarships and memberships on the USA Today Academic All American Team.