Students excel in physics contest

A four-person team from Darlington School placed first in the private school category and second overall in the 35th Annual Alabama High School Physics Contest on Feb. 11, sponsored by the University of Alabama.

Participants included junior Jesse Baker, who placed first individually out of over 300 contestants; junior Echo Zhao, who placed second; senior Jin Sol Lee, who placed sixth; and senior Alex Pickle. Baker also received the Best Overall First Year Physics Student Award.

The first part of the contest was an individual examination that included 32 challenging AP Physics questions. 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.

“All scores are displayed on a screen along with the problem, and it puts real pressure on the students to be fast and yet not make a mistake,” said Donald Sweeney, AP Physics teacher. “Ciphering is a great challenge for the students as they must relax and be very confident in their abilities in order to get the full amount of points.”

Baker and Zhao’s performances won each of them a full scholarship to The University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa should they choose to attend the institution and major in physics.