New Zealand’s premier physics competition for senior high school students.
The International Young Physicists’ Tournament mimics, as closely as possible, the real-world processes of scientific research. It adds real world skills in experimental design and fabrication, data modelling, problem solving, presentation, teamwork and concise communication to classroom theory.
IYPT in New Zealand is organised by the NZ Young Physicists’ Trust, registered charity CC62496. We run an annual national competition for school teams that is based on seven of the seventeen IYPT problems. The Trust also uses these IYPT problems in a competition for individual students that selects a five student NZ Representative team that competes in the International Young Physicists’ Tournament, (IYPT) every year.
In July 2026, IYPT will be in Switzerland at ETH Zurich University – Einstein’s old school.. In 2027 we’re bringing IYPT to Auckland!
The World Cup of Physics
is coming to Auckland!
IYPT is often called the “world cup of physics” (honest – google it!).
The competition will take place in the Science Faculty of the University of Auckland between July 5th and 12th. It’s a busy programme of competition rounds (physics fights) and seeing some of NZ’s exciting innovation and technology opportunities. We expect nearly 200 students from over 35 countries to participate.
ACCELERATE! (Our chief Accelerator this time)
The Physics Whisperer: The Teacher Turning Kiwi Students’ Curiosity Into Global Gold
This Accelerate! profile takes a step back from our alumni to introduce the Chair or The NZ Young Physicists’ Trust, Gavin Jennings. Gavin’s volunteered with IYPT in New Zealand for twenty years and has some strong opinions on the value IYPT brings to all students.
ACCELERATE! – Benjy Smith
Benjy was part of the 2022 team that only competed in the alternative online IYPT due to Covid travel restrictions.
He’s making up for it this year as one of two team leaders escorting this year’s Team NZ to Zurich, Switzerland in July.
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