Olympiad Exposure Camps in Physics and Astronomy 2024

HOMI BHABHA CENTRE FOR SCIENCE EDUCATION

TATA INSTITUTE OF FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH

Introduction:

Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) is a national centre of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai. The broad goals of the centre are to promote equity and excellence in science and mathematics education from primary school to undergraduate college level. It is India’s nodal centre for Olympiad programmes in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy, and Junior Science.

Applications are invited (click here) from teachers and educators for Olympiad Exposure Camps in Physics and Astronomy which will be held at HBCSE. These camps are not intended for students and they need not apply.

Camp Objective:

The primary objective of these camps is to spread awareness about the national and international Olympiad programme, in particular, in Physics and Astronomy. An orientation towards the academic and organizational aspects of the Physics and Astronomy Olympiads will be provided. The camps also serve as platforms for productive interaction within the teacher community.

Camp Structure:

In Astronomy, typical topics covered will be celestial mechanics, optics, positional astronomy, stellar physics etc. The camp will consist of multiple lecture and tutorial sessions, educational visits, night sky observation and telescope handling sessions. 

In Physics, the participants will be provided a flavour of theoretical and experimental problems in national and international Olympiads. The camp will consist of a number of lectures, tutorials, and laboratory sessions on the theoretical and experimental components of the Physics Olympiad programme. A special focus will be on misconceptions and different areas in Physics Education Research (PER).

Dates:

Astronomy:   05 to 09 November 2024.

Physics:        18 to 22 November 2024.

Travel and Accommodation:

Participants will be reimbursed to and fro travel fare as per their entitlement (maximum II-AC train fare). If you choose to travel by air, only the corresponding train fare will be reimbursed. Regular attendance in the camp for the entire duration is mandatory for travel support. Food and shared accommodation at HBCSE will be provided for all participants. Kindly note that due to the limited availability, accommodation is provided only for the duration of the camp, and only for the participants and not for any accompanying family members. 

Who can apply?

  • Educators from different sectors, i.e.,

    • university/college teachers of physics or astronomy

    • High school science teachers (with background in physics/mathematics)

    • Astronomy outreach personnel from scientific institutions, staff of planetaria and science museums as well as active amateur astronomers are encouraged to apply

  • Educational qualification (B.Sc/M.Sc./PhD) in Physics, and/or allied subjects (Astronomy, Applied Physics, Mathematics, etc.) or B.Tech./B.E. is required

  • Students and applicants below the age of 23 years will not be considered

  • It is preferred that the participants have a background in Physics and/or Mathematics

  • Applicants may apply in both subjects with an indicated preference of selection. Applicants will be selected for the exposure camp in one of the subjects only
  • Previous participants of Astronomy or Physics Olympiad Exposure Camps will not be considered again for the same subject. Previous participants of Olympiad Exposure Camps in other subjects may be considered subject to availability of seats.

Rules and Regulations regarding application:

  • Click here to fill the online application form. This is a common form for both the subjects.

  • Last date of application: 27 September 2024.

  • Intimation regarding selection will be put on the HBCSE website by 06 October 2024.

  • Selected participants will also be invited through an official letter sent over email.

  • The list of selected participants for each of the camps will be displayed separately. 

  • Any queries regarding the camp can be sent to olyexp@hbcse.tifr.res.in