It is with regret that we announce the postponement of the 2024 Annual Physics Fair. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are unable to hold the event this year. We understand the disappointment this may bring to our participants and attendees who have been eagerly anticipating the fair.
However, we remain committed to providing an exceptional experience for all involved. We believe that the enthusiasm and passion expressed thus far will only grow stronger as we look forward to the next year. We are already planning and preparing for the 2025 Annual Physics Fair, where we hope to see you all with renewed excitement and energy.
We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time. Rest assured, we are dedicated to making the 2025 fair a memorable and enriching experience for everyone involved. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to welcoming you back next year.
Activities include:
- Dozens of hands-on physics demonstrations
- Two (2) Professor Extraordinaire Shows
- The Science Bowl – team competitions
- The Science Challenge – individual competitions
- Water rockets
- Scavenger hunt
- and much more!
Physics Fair Links Roundup
Can’t get enough? Check the Physics Fair Links Roundup for more great physics and astronomy experiences!
Event Descriptions
Physics Challenge and Science Challenge
This individual competition is offered for elementary, middle school, and high school students. For high schoolers, the questions in this 30-minute-long multiple-choice written test are similar to the SAT, and can be used to prepare for it. The elementary school challenge will cover general science rather than strictly physics. The problems are quantitative (so bring a calculator), but also require common sense. For practice, download a sample Physics Fair challenge problem set.
Physics Bowl and Science Bowl
Unlike the Challenges, the Physics Bowl and Science Bowl are team competitions. Resembling competitions like “It’s Academic,” each team can have up to four players, all of whom must be K–12 students. Multiple teams compete simultaneously. Each chair in the Shafler Auditorium in Bloomberg is equipped with the CPS system, allowing the contestants to press buttons and choose the answer. There will be one set of buttons per team. The results are displayed in real time. Winning prizes include trophies for the schools of the students’ teams and certificates of accomplishment to the individual students. View sample Bowl questions
The Bowl contests are each limited to 30 teams, so please pre-register by sending an email to pam@pha.jhu.edu. Registering onsite is possible up until 11:25 a.m., but only if the maximum number of teams has not already been reached. If you have any questions, please call Pam Carmen at 410-516-7346.
Demonstrations
More than 200 active science demonstrations will be set up throughout the Bloomberg building during the Fair. Exhibits will be grouped by area and are in separate rooms. In addition, tours of the building will stop by several research labs and demonstrate the use of some of the most advanced research tools.
Scavenger Hunt
Follow the trail through the Fair and solve physics mysteries! Start with a list of questions, and walk around the demos in Bloomberg to find the answers. Anybody can enter, and anybody who answers many questions correctly will win a prize.
Hopkins Construction Project Competition
This competition will let visitors use materials supplied by JHU for a construction project appropriate for all ages.
Two Professor Extraordinaire Shows
A popular demo show will be performed twice by a Johns Hopkins professor. See and understand physics principles in action!
Observations Through the Morris W. Offit Telescope
The Maryland Space Grant Observatory will be open. Visitors will be able to observe sun spots and activity of the sun’s corona using a special filter.
And Much More
- Balloon Rocket Contest
- Liquid Nitrogen Frozen Ice Cream
- Interactive Astronomy Exhibits and Activities
- Planetarium
- Solar System Bowling
- Hubble Space Telescope Exhibit
- The Institute for Data Intensive Engineering and Science (the Science of Big Data)