International competition Náboj Physics 2024 held at the University of Wrocław
On November 15, 2024, over 1600 high school students from six countries took part in the International Physics competition Náboj. In Poland, the competition took place in three university locations: Gdańsk University of Technology, Nicolaus Copernicus University In Toruń, and the University of Wrocław.
Náboj Physics is a prestigious competition, during which teams of five have to solve as many as possible in 120 minutes. The problems not only require physics knowledge but also creativity and teamwork ability. The formula of the competition is really demanding: competitors from all around the world have to solve the same amount of problems in the same amount of time. They also have an insight into the real-time performance of other teams.
Poland in the lead
This year’s edition of the tournament took place in Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Spain, Hungary and Slovakia. 78 teams: 24 in Gdańsk, 24 in Toruń, and 30 in Wrocław. This was the first time that the competition was held in Wrocław. Teams from lower Silesia, Leszno, Katowice, Warsaw, Częstochowa, Gliwice and Dąbrowa Górnicza competed in the building of the University of Wrocław.
Wrocław’s edition is organized by the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy and the Wrocław Branch of the Polish Physical Society. The competition is under the Honorary Patronage of the Rector of the University of Wroclaw and will be held on a special day for the University – November 15 is the Feast of the University of Wrocław.
Results of the competition in Wroclaw
Over 150 students in 30 teams took part in the tournament.
The teams on the podium were:
- Akademickie Liceum Ogólnokształcące Politechniki Śląskiej (Academic High School of the Silesian University of Technology; team: Jakub Fudal, Dominik Styla, Igor Popowski, Ksawery Matuszek, Jakub Fraś)
- III Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Adama Mickiewicza we Wrocławiu (III Adam Mickiewicz High School in Wrocław; team: Maria Pezda, Stanisław Sroka, Hanna Osajda, Łukasz Ganczarek, Dominik Borowski)
- I Liceum Ogólnokształcące Dwujęzyczne im. Edwarda Dembowskiego w Gliwicach (I Liceum Ogólnokształcące Bilingual im Edwarda Dembowskiego in Gliwice; team: Andrzej Ajdukiewicz, Magdalena Iwańska, Bartosz Sporysiak, Joanna Wolińska, Michał Brodala)
What makes Náboj different from other tournaments?
The problems vary from physics questions asked in schools, which require only the use of a known method. They require thinking out of the box and inventing new ideas. Not only is individual knowledge important, but also the team working ability. The formula – the same sets of problems, the same amount of time and the international rivalry is what makes the competition so unique worldwide.
This year, 340 teams from around the world were registered for the tournament. This means that around 1700 students took part in Náboj, which makes it one of the most inspiring science events for young physics enthusiasts.
Polska wśród liderów
Photo report: Maria Kozan
Translated by Natalia Andrzejewska (student of English Studies at the University of Wrocław) as part of the translation practice.
