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Physics Photo Contest

Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2014 by for Extra Credit.

For many years the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) High School Physics Photo Contest has provided teachers and students an opportunity to learn about the physics behind natural and contrived situations by creating visual and written illustrations of various physical concepts. Students compete in an international arena with more than 1,000 of their peers for recognition and prizes. The contest is open to high school students in grades 9–12. Entries are welcome every year between March 1 and May 15 for that year’s competition. Photos may be entered in one of two categories described below, and will be judged on the quality of the photo and the accuracy of the physics in the explanation that accompanies the photograph.

  • Natural photos are those that involve everyday situations that may demonstrate a variety of physics concepts.
  • Contrived photos are those that are set up to show a particular physics concept or related set of concepts.

If you have a photo you would like to submit to this contest, please email it to me as soon as possible. I will give you advice on what to write for copy. The deadline for this competition is May 15, but if you give me your photo for the first time on this day you will not be allowed to enter. Please read the Student Rules before contacting me. You may already have a photo in your archives that could be used for this competition. Look to the past winning entries for inspiration.