How many teams can each school bring?
Each school can bring up to two teams with a single teacher/coach supervisor.
How many students can be on each team?
Each team can have four members. Each team may also register one alternate in case one of the four team members is unable to attend the event. An alternate is not required.
If the alternate attends the event in addition to the four other team members, remember that each team may only have a maximum of four students participating in each event. One student will need to sit out of each event. Teams are welcome to rotate which student sits out across the five events.
Can a team participate with fewer than four members?
Teams may also participate with fewer than four members if necessary. All team members should be from the same school.
Who can register a team?
Typically, a physics teacher will register a team, but any teacher of any discipline is welcome to register and bring a team. In the case that a teacher cannot attend the event, another parent or guardian may register and supervise a team from a specific school.
All team supervisors will be asked to sign a Teacher/Coach Supervision Release form at the time of registration, which confirms they have the authority to supervise the team on behalf of their school and will assume responsibility for their school’s participants during the event.
What level of background knowledge do the participants competing need?
The events are designed so that students of all backgrounds and experience levels can participate meaningfully. Typically, students who compete are enrolled in a physics course at their high school, most often during their junior or senior year, but this is not a strict requirement. We have had both a middle school team and high school freshmen participate in the past. That said, students with a background in physics and greater mathematical experience tend to perform better in the events.
The events do not require any knowledge of calculus. However, students are welcome to use any mathematical or problem-solving skills they have if they find them helpful.
What schools are allowed to participate in the event?
The majority of participating schools are public and private high schools in the towns in and surrounding New Haven County. Schools from out-of-state are welcome to compete, but schools and participants must arrange their own transportation to and from the event.
How are the various events decided each year?
Each year, new events are developed and tested by volunteers in the Yale Physics Department, which include graduate students, research staff, and faculty.
What are the rules for picking a team name?
Your team name must meet the following criteria:
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Be 20 characters or fewer, spaces included.
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Contain only alphanumeric characters from a standard US keyboard.
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Eschew any language that could be construed as offensive or vulgar.
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Be unique. If you are allowed a second team, you must avoid “team A” “team B” formulations.
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Be creative. We appreciate science/physics puns and wordplay. We will be awarding a prize for the most creative and/or unique team name.
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We will also be awarding a prize for best team costume! This is optional, but many teams come in a team t-shirt or specific outfit.
The YPO reserves the right to reject any proposed name and request a substitute. If no substitute is provided, we will provide one for you. Names will be accepted on a first/come first served basis. If your team name has already been chosen, you will be asked to choose a different one.
What is the day-of schedule?
The day runs from 8 AM to 3:30 PM. A sample of the day-of schedule can be found here.
Is lunch provided? Can the lunch accommodate dietary restrictions or allergies?
We will be providing a light breakfast and lunch for the event for all teachers/coaches and registered students. We can try to accommodate most dietary restrictions and allergies. When the teacher/coach registers the team, the form will ask for any dietary restrictions or allergies. Students are also welcome to bring their own lunch.
Can parents or students not competing attend the event?
Yes. Spectators are welcome to attend. However, the events take place in various classrooms, so there may not be much for spectators to see, and watching the events can be somewhat difficult or less engaging as many involve test-like problem solving.
We also ask that any spectators who are not registered participants make their own lunch arrangements.
Is there free parking available on campus?
Yes. Free parking is available in the Prospect-Sachem garage located on Yale University Science Hill (behind the Ingalls ice hockey rink).
Can the teacher/coach leave campus while the event is taking place?
No. We would like the teacher/coach to be on campus and reachable during the entirety of the event. We will have quiet working spaces for teachers available to use during the event. Most teachers use the time to catch up on lesson plans or grading.
Is transportation provided?
No. All registered teams are required to arrange their own transportation to and from the event.
What permission slips need to be signed by participating students?
Minors (participants under the age of 18 years old at the time of the event) are required to have a parent or guardian complete and submit the following form. When a teacher/coach registers a team, they will be asked to distribute the form to each participating student identified as a minor and ensure that their parent or guardian completes it. The teacher/coach will then submit the signed waivers on behalf of the minors during registration. If the student is not a minor, they do not need to complete this form. Some teachers choose to have all students, regardless of age, fill out the form.