Darlington Physics teacher Donald Sweeney was recently recognized by The University of Alabama for excellence in teaching with the E. Scott Barr Outstanding High School Physics Teacher Award. The award was presented during the 34th Annual University of Alabama High School Physics Contest on Jan. 29.
Also at the ceremony, Darlington’s physics team of Shiqi Wu, Candy Yan, Brian Liu and Poon Panichpibool received a plaque for first place in all private schools and a trophy for second place overall from Public, Private and Magnet schools.
“The first part of the contest was an individual examination that included challenging AP Physics questions,” Sweeney said. “Next, the four-person team participated in a Ciphering Contest, where one team member sits in the ‘hot seat’ and answers four questions during a specified amount of time. If the question is answered correctly in less than 40 seconds, the student scores a five. In less than 80 seconds, he or she scores a 3; in less than 120 seconds, he or she scores 1, and no other scores are given.”
The High School Physics Contest is open to all high schools, attracting schools from surrounding states as well as many from Alabama. This year, more than 50 teams and 334 students participated. The event consists not only of physics competitions, but also of a program for teachers, an open house on research in physics, a physics show, and informal opportunities to experience campus life at The University of Alabama.
The top two finishers in the written exam who choose to attend the University of Alabama receive four-year, in-state tuition scholarships. Books, trophies, plaques and medals are awarded to the top individual and team finishers. Students who do well in the competition are invited to apply to the E. Scott Barr scholarship program, which awards generous scholarships to students majoring in physics.
