OSU to host U.S. Physicists’ Tournament Dec. 18-19

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Media Contact: Elizabeth Gosney | CAS Marketing and Communications Manager | 405-744-7497 | egosney@okstate.edu

The Oklahoma State University Department of Physics is hosting the U.S. Physicists’ Tournament in Stillwater on Dec. 18 and 19. An interdisciplinary OSU team will be competing against the University of Arizona to advance. 

This is the second year an OSU team has competed in the tournament. Last year, OSU won the tournament held at the University of California-Berkeley, and represented the U.S. at the International Physicists’ Tournament in Paris. 

“I think the fact that we won last year had a big impact on this year’s team,” said Rosty Martinez, physics Ph.D. student and U.S. IPT representative. “That team showed them that it is possible to win the national tournament. Last year’s team members got to share their experiences with this team, which has motivated them to participate and work hard.” 

The teams were given 10 predetermined problems and will participate in three one vs. one fights. In total, students will present three problems and oppose three problems to a jury of five industry and academic professionals. 

“Participating in experiences like this and doing this kind of independent research is totally different than anything they could get out of a class,” said Dr. Joe Haley, professor of physics and OSU USPT co-team lead. “The open-ended nature of the problems they are given really forces students to think outside of the box and consider multiple perspectives to solve problems.” 

The winner of the USPT will advance to represent the U.S. at the IPT held in Zurich, Switzerland, this spring.  

“The travel aspect of this competition is crucial,” Martinez said. “Everyone involved gets the chance to experience new people, places and institutions. Cultural exchange is wonderful for personal growth, but from an academic perspective, it is an incredible opportunity to share ideas with scientists around the world.” 

This event is free and open to the public. Each of the fights will take place in Physical Sciences, room 103, on OSU’s Stillwater campus.   

Story By: Erin Weaver, CAS Communications Coordinator | erin.weaver@okstate.edu