2025-26 Western Kentucky Physics Olympics
Event Overview
Event date:
Saturday, November 14, 2026
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, November 6, 2026
Eligibility
- This event is open to currently enrolled public, private, or homeschooled high school students.
- Team members must be from the same school or cooperative.
- Students must compete in teams of 4 members with the same 4 members throughout the event.
- Member substitutions are permitted up to the day of the event (no substitutions after team check-in).
Register for the Event
Park for the Event
Physics of the United States and Ben Franklin
Western Kentucky Physics Olympics is a half-day competition consisting of a pentathlon of challenging problem-solving activities that reward teamwork, creativity, and communication. Western Kentucky University's Department of Physics and Astronomy invites teams of high school students to register for and compete in the Western Kentucky Physics Olympics at WKU's main campus every year.
Registration
Online pre-registration is required.
Tentative Schedule
Start times are subject to change depending on the number of teams present.
8:00 Doors Open and Check In begins
8:30 Air Cannon Impound and Test
9:00 Simple Motor Pull
10:00 Communication/Calculation Challenge
11:00 Impromptu Challenge
11:45 Lunch
12:30 Fermi Questions
1:00 Awards
Prizes
Each of the four contestants on the team with the best score in the overall competition will receive a $1000 scholarship to attend Western Kentucky University. The scholarship is to be used during the freshman year and is awarded above and beyond any other scholarships the student might otherwise earn.
A plaque for the school is presented to the coach of the overall winning team. Medals for the team members will be awarded to the top three teams in the overall competition. Certificates will be awarded to the top three teams in each event.
Weather Cancellation
In case of cancellation due to inclement weather, Physics Olympics will be rescheduled for the same times on an alternate Saturday to be announced.
Event Descriptions and Rules
Please see the Events Description page for a complete listing of the official rules for each event.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have questions please check our Frequently Asked Questions list or email questions to olympics@physics.wku.edu.
A community of faculty, staff, and students engaged in better understanding the physical world.
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