Apparatus Competition 

The Apparatus Competition was established to recognize, reward, and publicize worthwhile contributions to physics teaching through demonstration and experiment.

With huge advances in technology, many physics apparatus are now commercially available. But even with these advances,physics research still requires the inventive spirit of designing and building experimental apparatus one's self.

Whether developed to pique the interest of students, used in lecture and demonstration, or simply used to help teach physics in new or fascinating ways, teachers are continually engineering apparatus to aid physics instruction. The Apparatus Competition is where teachers can share their apparatus with others.

The Competition is held annually during AAPT's summer meeting and is open to all members. Entries to the competition are screened according to the selection criteria below.

Criteria for Entry

• Apparatus is either new in design or a modification of an existing design.
• Apparatus is not commercially available.
• The specifics of the apparatus have not been published.

For further specifications, view the complete rules and judging guidelines found on the competition coordinator's website.

Categories

There are two categories of entrants:

1. Low Cost—an apparatus costing less than $65 to build (excluding exempt equipment)
2. Unlimited Cost

Participants may enter a single apparatus in both categories, provided that the criteria for both categories are met.

Cash Awards*

PASCO scientific is generously providing cash prizes to the creators of this year's winning entries. The 2009 awards available for the Introductory Laboratory category are:

• First Place: $1,000
• Second Place: $600
• Third Place: $200
• Additionally, up to six $100 prizes may be awarded in the Low Cost category.

*Prizes are awarded by the competition judges. First prize is always awarded; not all other prizes are necessarily awarded.

Important Dates in 2010

June

• Notify Brian Andersson of your intention to enter the 2010 Apparatus Competition and any services required to display your apparatus. Obtain an official application packet with entry form, rules of eligibility and judging, safety guidelines, and competition requirements (via email or website).

June 15

• Complete entry materials are due. The late entries may be accepted provided space available. Late entries might not be published in the onsite list of apparatus.

July 18

• Apparatus set-up in Portland, OR, from 1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m. (other times by prior arrangement).
• Apparatus Competition Judging: 5:15 p.m.–6:30 p.m.

July 19-21

• Apparatus viewing by meeting attendees.

July 21

• Removal of apparatus: noon.

Contact Information

To obtain more information about the competition, contact Brian Andersson (Competition Coordinator) at banders@physics.umn.edu

Previous Entries and Winners

• 2010 Competition (Portland, OR)
• 2009 Competition (Ann Arbor, MI)
• 2008 Competition (Edmonton, AB)
• 2007 Competition (Greensboro, NC)
• 2006 Competition (Syracuse, NY)
• 2005 Competition (Salt Lake City, UT)
• 2004 Competition (Sacramento, CA)
• 2003 Competition (Madison, WI)
• 2002 Competition (Boise, ID)
• 2001 Competition (Rochester, NY)
• 2000 Competition (Guelph, ON)
• 1999 Competition (San Antonio, TX)

This competition is sponsored by the AAPT Committee on Apparatus and is generously supported by PASCO scientific.