site.btaIX European Physics Olympiad Kicks Off in Sofia

Bulgaria welcomed talented high school students from 40 countries to compete in the IX European Physics Olympiad, the Ministry of Education and Science said on Friday. The country is hosting the prestigious forum for the first time. Between June 13 and June 17, more than 200 young physicists from around the world will face off. There will be participants not only from Europe, but also from countries outside of the continent such as Singapore, China, India and Israel.

Participants will demonstrate their skills in solving complex experimental and theoretical problems. Each country will be represented by a team of five high school students, one supervisor and an observer. As host country, Bulgaria has the opportunity to participate with two teams made up of the ten students that ranked highest at the National Physics Olympiad. Among them are representatives of the strongest mathematical high schools in the country - Sofia, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Shumen, Pleven. Their national supervisor is Georgi Alexandrov - a physics teacher at Sofia High School of Mathematics and a gold medal winner of the European Physics Olympiad 2018.

On the first day, the participants will solve experimental cases in a laboratory environment, and on the second day - theoretical problems to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in physics.

The forum is organized by the Ministry of Education and Science, Sofia University's Faculty of Physics and the Natural Sciences Olympic Teams Association.

The European Physics Olympiad has been held annually since 2017 on the initiative of university professors, including Bulgarian ones. Over the years, the competition has established itself as an educational platform that not only promotes competitiveness, but real scientific thinking. Through tasks resembling real scientific research, participants develop critical thinking, creativity and complex problem-solving skills. The event also stimulates international collaboration, preparing young talent for real scientific careers.

Bulgaria has traditionally performed well in the competition, with its students regularly winning medals and demonstrating a high level of preparation.