The tournament cannot run without judges, usually called jurors in IYPT tournament jargon.
The task
Jurors area asked to watch and mark three physics matches, each lasting about 90 minutes at NZYPT. The format and timing is quite strict and you need to enforce time limits. Marking is against a rubric. You mark both teams, the presentation and the opposition. The format of a physics match is here including the format and the timings for each step.
The 2025 competition will be held at Auckland Grammar School, Mountain Road, Auckland between 8:30am to 5pm on March 22nd. Jurors will be needed between 9am and 4:30pm although you are also most welcome at the welcome and prized giving ceremonies either side of that. We can’t pay you, but we will feed you. Students and those not in paid work can also get a small contribution to their travel costs.
Juror qualifications
The physics presented is likely to be new to you. There are no answers in the back of the book! It can be rocket science (literally in 2024 with a water rocket problem), but it should be well explained and derived from standard physics concepts like forces. There is no need to read up on the seven problems before the tournament. Many marks are for clearly explaining both the problem and the physics used to design the experiments.
Jurors need to be able to follow the physics research presented. Being a physics teacher, postgrad student or academic is good. However we find that all sorts of engineers, geophysicists, medical imagers, data modellers and other professionals do really, really well. Often they have a far better appreciation of problem solving and other practical elements. We’ve even had industrial chemists as judges – it’s that scientific thinking and method appreciation that we need.
Still Interested?
We hope so. But if your not sure yet there is an online session to explain the role in more detail and answer your questions. It will be at 11am on Sunday 16th March, That is a week before the Tournament itself so that afternoon is also the last chance to sign up.
To get invited to the online event please complete a short expression of interest form here, and we will be in touch