MNU physics competition

General information on the competition

With the tasks of the competition MNU wants to inspire pupils,

• to deal with physical problems, some of which go beyond the topics covered in class.
• to experiment, plan, carry out and document experiments independently.
• to find independent solutions in different ways.
• to develop meaningful presentations of solutions that are as complete as possible, also using tables, diagrams or sketches.

The competition has three stages: the first round takes place from September to December, the second round from the beginning of February to mid-March, and the federal round usually takes place in a university town at the end of May. The tasks in the 1st round are divided into a junior level (up to grade 8) and advanced level (up to grade 10). Working in groups (up to three participants) is only permitted in the 1st round.

Organisation of the competition

The creation and correction of tasks is in the hands of a team of currently 9 physics teachers, all of whom are volunteers. Every year in April there is a 3-4 day organisational meeting of the team: The tasks of the new competition round are drawn up, the tasks of the 2nd round completed during this time are corrected and the federal round is prepared. The federal round itself lasts 5 days. A selection of 30 invited pupils takes part nationwide. In addition to working on experimental and theoretical tasks, the participants are offered a tourist programme. It is the community experience in particular which makes the Bundesrunde so successful.

 

More detailed information can be found directly on the MNU website on the nationwide physics pupils' competition.