Despite being relatively “young”, American University of Sharjah (AUS) is acclaimed nationwide for its academic excellence and multicultural campus life. On the 14 th of February, AUS hosted their 5 th annual Physics Open Day, which included fun activities and games accompanied by a Physics competition and (as a treat at the end) nitrogen ice cream. This annual day was sponsored by the Emirates Space Agency. The physics competition followed two tracks- a Simple Physics track and a Space Physics track. From our school, two teams, each consisting of four members, participated in the space physics track. They were accompanied by Ms. Rashi, the Physics teacher.
AT THE UNIVERSITY
The students reached the university and set up their projects from 8-9 AM. After this, they had breakfast and went to auditorium for the Opening Ceremony. Once the ceremony was completed, there were games and other interesting Physics displays taking place. At 11 AM, the judges came around and began putting their expert knowledge to work.
THE PRESENTATIONS
Group 1 consisted of : - Syeda Bisha Fatima - Anupama Warrier - Rachael Dias - Dinili Gunewardana
The second group consisted of: - Aryan changrani - Sara firdos - Mahammid Hassan - Yashdeep
Group 1 presented an idea about creating a sustainable living habitat on Mars, they constructed a multi-layered dome, where each layer combatted a specific problem which would act as an obstacle, preventing life on Mars. Their dome would create an Earth-like atmosphere, inside which the humans wouldn’t require any extra gear or oxygen masks to roam around. Their project was called DO2M-R. Group 2 presented an idea about Zero-G, shoes which can allow a human to walk on any planet ‘normally’, and can be used on space stations to reduce the effects of weightlessness. To achieve this effect, they utilized the concept of electromagnetic technology.
The judges came around and questioned the students, paying attention to their knowledge of Physics concepts as well as their idea.
AWARDS CEREMONY
At 2:30 PM, all the participants were escorted to the main hall where the results were to be announced. Group 1 had won 3rd place in the Space track from around 700 people and teams from over 55 schools across UAE! They walked to the stage with pride as their month’s long hard work and preparation finally paid off. As a token of remembrance, they were gifted Air pods. It truly was the time of their life, walking up that stage and winning a university level Physics competition, even when they were one of the youngest participants.
NITROGEN ICE-CREAM
When it was time to say good- bye to this lovely competition, AUS made ice- cream using liquid nitrogen and served it to all their guests. Everyone enjoyed the ice-cream (well, most of us did) and enjoyed the bus ride back home carrying many new skills and memories. Once in school, they were congratulated by every teacher they knew, and by their supportive friends throughout the week. Competitions like these will truly find the scientists of the future!
Written by : Syeda Bisha Fatima Edited by: Anupama Warrier Web designed by: Aryan Changrani