At the airport, waiting to return to the US. First class departure lounges and personal attention are nice, eh? We were shocked to discover that we had to carry our own bags through JFK.Monday, July 23, 2007
On the way home
At the airport, waiting to return to the US. First class departure lounges and personal attention are nice, eh? We were shocked to discover that we had to carry our own bags through JFK.
The medal winners of the USA team. From left to right: Kenan (silver), Haofei (gold), Jenny (silver), Jason (gold), and Rui (silver).In terms of medal counts, China came in first.
China: four gold, one silver
Russia: Three gold, one silver, one honorable mention
USA: Two gold, three silver
Korea: Two gold, three silver
Iran: Two gold, two silver, one bronze
Japan: Two gold, two silver, one bronze
Other countries gaining two gold, in order of medal totals, were India, Vietnam, the Czech Republic, Singapore, Ukraine, and Canada. Nine countries received one gold medal.
In terms of aggregate team scores, China was first.
China: 226.7
Korea: 217.2
Russia: 216.1
Japan: 206.9
USA: 204.2
India: 203.1
Iran: 202.4
France: 202.4
Indonesia: 200.9
These results are, of course, unofficial. but they might be right.....
After a long bus ride from Isfahan to Tehran we were once again carefully escorted by our hosts through the check in process. We were allowed to wait in one of the first class departure lounges, and served tea, coffee, and munchies while we waited to board. Then we were allowed to go to the boarding area through a back door, so that we didn't need to wait in line.
The flight was uneventful, except that it was crowded. Only Paul had an empty seat beside him; the others complained of being squeezed into chairs, or being told to have their faces washed by their seatmates, or being converted by missionaries. They ought share these stories.
Except for the aborted landing because of a "conflict of airspace", all went smoothly as we arrived at JFK. Bob took Haofei and Kenan to LaGuardia; Paul took Jenny and Jason to get checked in at American; and Rui met his father. It will still be many hours before everyone is home, but we are healthy, happy, although likely fragrant.
From the waiting area of jetBlue at JFK,
-Paul
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Congratulations to the US Team and all Winners
The news is now official.
On behalf of AAPT and the entire physics community, I congratulate the US Physics Team for winning 2 gold medals (Jason Larue and Haofei Wei) and 3 silver medals (Kenan Diab, Rui Hu and Jenny Kwan) at this International Physics Olympiad in Iran. We are proud of their achievements. Every member of our US team returns home decorated. Please help me congratulate them and express our pride in their accomplishments. All winners and participants deserve our applause.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all, and especially our Team. I am so glad we were able to participate.
The competition is the main event, but the experience goes far beyond physics: It plays an important role in buildng human understanding among students from all over the world early on. Perceptions shaped by media and politicians are often inconsistent with reality. Nothing replaces personal interaction. By being in the beautiful, green and history-rich city of Esfahan and by interacting with its friendly and hospitable people, we have all affirmed our belief that the commonality of people and universality of physics trump differences in language, dress code, practices and political rhetoric.
All participants are on their way now to Tehran. Ours are expected back in the States tomorrow afternoon. Students and coaches will then board different planes seeking the warm welcome of their family; but they are now members of a new family. Welcome to AAPT and the physics community.
A huge thank you to Maria Elena and Annette (AAPT staff), Bob Shurtz and Paul Stanley (director and lead coach), our colleagues at the American Institute of Physics for their media and government relations support, and to the parents and teachers for their commitment and support.
(This blog will remain active, as I am sure there will be other commentary and shared experiences about the events and Esfahan.)
Best,
Toufic Hakim, Executive Officer
American Association of Physics Teachers
On behalf of AAPT and the entire physics community, I congratulate the US Physics Team for winning 2 gold medals (Jason Larue and Haofei Wei) and 3 silver medals (Kenan Diab, Rui Hu and Jenny Kwan) at this International Physics Olympiad in Iran. We are proud of their achievements. Every member of our US team returns home decorated. Please help me congratulate them and express our pride in their accomplishments. All winners and participants deserve our applause.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all, and especially our Team. I am so glad we were able to participate.
The competition is the main event, but the experience goes far beyond physics: It plays an important role in buildng human understanding among students from all over the world early on. Perceptions shaped by media and politicians are often inconsistent with reality. Nothing replaces personal interaction. By being in the beautiful, green and history-rich city of Esfahan and by interacting with its friendly and hospitable people, we have all affirmed our belief that the commonality of people and universality of physics trump differences in language, dress code, practices and political rhetoric.
All participants are on their way now to Tehran. Ours are expected back in the States tomorrow afternoon. Students and coaches will then board different planes seeking the warm welcome of their family; but they are now members of a new family. Welcome to AAPT and the physics community.
A huge thank you to Maria Elena and Annette (AAPT staff), Bob Shurtz and Paul Stanley (director and lead coach), our colleagues at the American Institute of Physics for their media and government relations support, and to the parents and teachers for their commitment and support.
(This blog will remain active, as I am sure there will be other commentary and shared experiences about the events and Esfahan.)
Best,
Toufic Hakim, Executive Officer
American Association of Physics Teachers
Medals for the USA
The results are in; 2 gold (Haofei and Jason), 3 silver (Jenny, Rui, and Kenan).
The USA was tied for third in the medal count:
China- four gold, one silver
Russia- three gold, one silver, one honorable mention
USA- two gold, three silver
Korea- two gold, three silver
Iran- two gold, two silver, one bronze
Japan- two gold, two silver, one bronze.
India, Vietnam, Czech Republic, Singapore, Ukraine, and Canada also received two golds and other medals.
The USA ranked fifth in terms of the point count, although the IPhO doesn't officially pay attention to country rankings.
We finished the day with celebrations and a dinner in a public garden under the stars.
Now the leaders are trying to pack all of our recent acquisitions- including some Persian Carpets- in time for our bus departure to Tehran.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Isn't the internet fun?
Tonight is ASTRO NIGHT.
Which means, naturally, that it is cloudy, and the dozen or so telescopes that UIT set up for us are useless.
Today is the fourth day it has rained, rather interesting considering the IPhO's website's statement that there is virtually no chance of rain.
Which means, naturally, that it is cloudy, and the dozen or so telescopes that UIT set up for us are useless.
Today is the fourth day it has rained, rather interesting considering the IPhO's website's statement that there is virtually no chance of rain.
results, &c.
bob emailed us some unofficial results today. unfortunately, i don't think we can post those results. results are boring anyway. i'm going to talk about buses and the things that occur on buses. team usa has been a member of the prestigious bus 12 crew throughout ipho, sharing this honor with vietnam, turkmenistan, ukraine, and canadia (not a typo). tensions were running high today due to excessive nectar consumption and random events at the bottom of the pacific ocean. as a result of these unhappy conditions, team usa preemptively provoked a savage pillow fight. our initial volley of no fewer than six or seven pillows was launched at all other teams in the vicinity. turkmenistan, vietnam, and ukraine fought bravely, albeit in vain, to repel our unceasing assault. canadia acquiesced supinely in the rear of the bus, cowering in fear and shame for their (fictitious) (so-called) country. after the dust (i.e., pillows) settled, a peace accord was struck, whereby all nations agreed that canadia sucked. this accord indeed included canadia itself, as represented by its team member dave, who can't pronounce his real name, as the indian team informed him. the united states' team continued their reign of awesomeness by planting a tree symbolizing our commmitment to peace and friendship in the camp we visited the previous day (thus demonstrating the non-linear nature of time). dave was there, having already defected to the u.s. team, playing an important role in complying with our frivolous demands, further demonstrating the fundamentally lame character of dave (and canadia and their people).
dave then informed us during the writing of this post that his leaders would kill him if they read this. yet, he did not deny the veracity of any of these statements. if you are a canadian leader, please do not read this post. dave is getting us milkshakes, and we would hate for him to be slayed for treason while gophering for the american team.
dave then informed us during the writing of this post that his leaders would kill him if they read this. yet, he did not deny the veracity of any of these statements. if you are a canadian leader, please do not read this post. dave is getting us milkshakes, and we would hate for him to be slayed for treason while gophering for the american team.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Thursday and Friday: From preliminary scores to final scores
The theory exam was held on Sunday, and the lab exam on Tuesday. Once the students are finished with the exams, they become tourists enjoying the hospitality of our Iranian hosts. And the word from Isfahan is that the students are enchanted by the hospitality and the beauty of the host country.
On the other hand, once the students have finished the exams, the heavy work shifts to the coaches and academic leaders. Preliminary scoring of all of the exams is done by the Iranians, and then the coaches of the separate countries review the exams and the scoring seeking to find another point, or half a point or even a tenth of a point that would move a student into a medalist category.
During the day on Thursday, the Iran organizers and their colleagues spent a good part of the day scoring the exams. The students were taken on a camping trip, while the coaches visited an out-of-town village.
Late Thursday night, close to midnight in Iran, our coaches got preliminary scores for our five students. After intense scrutiny of the answer sheets and the preliminary scores, our coaches will prepare for ‘moderation.’ Can they develop a reasonable argument that one student deserves an additional few tenths of a point on the answer to one question. Maybe another student deserves as much as one-half point, or perhaps even a full point or more. Most of Friday will be dedicated to this extended set of negotiations on behalf of the students.
While all of the scores are exposed to the moderation process, our coaches will focus their attention on those US students whose preliminary score is at the boundary between two recognition levels. Can one student be elevated from a very high bronze to a low silver, or from an honorable mention to a bronze, or even from a silver to a gold medal.
In some years of this international competition, the moderation is especially important because of issues surrounding the quality of the preliminary scores. The word from our coaches in Iran, however, is that the Iranian hosts seem to have done an excellent job with the scoring. This will likely mean that the final scores will be very close to the preliminary scores.
Our students and coaches report effusively about the cordiality of the Iranian hosts and populace. The US Team attracts a moderate level of interest from the local population, and our coaches and students consistently describe themselves as being warmly welcomed.
On the other hand, once the students have finished the exams, the heavy work shifts to the coaches and academic leaders. Preliminary scoring of all of the exams is done by the Iranians, and then the coaches of the separate countries review the exams and the scoring seeking to find another point, or half a point or even a tenth of a point that would move a student into a medalist category.
During the day on Thursday, the Iran organizers and their colleagues spent a good part of the day scoring the exams. The students were taken on a camping trip, while the coaches visited an out-of-town village.
Late Thursday night, close to midnight in Iran, our coaches got preliminary scores for our five students. After intense scrutiny of the answer sheets and the preliminary scores, our coaches will prepare for ‘moderation.’ Can they develop a reasonable argument that one student deserves an additional few tenths of a point on the answer to one question. Maybe another student deserves as much as one-half point, or perhaps even a full point or more. Most of Friday will be dedicated to this extended set of negotiations on behalf of the students.
While all of the scores are exposed to the moderation process, our coaches will focus their attention on those US students whose preliminary score is at the boundary between two recognition levels. Can one student be elevated from a very high bronze to a low silver, or from an honorable mention to a bronze, or even from a silver to a gold medal.
In some years of this international competition, the moderation is especially important because of issues surrounding the quality of the preliminary scores. The word from our coaches in Iran, however, is that the Iranian hosts seem to have done an excellent job with the scoring. This will likely mean that the final scores will be very close to the preliminary scores.
Our students and coaches report effusively about the cordiality of the Iranian hosts and populace. The US Team attracts a moderate level of interest from the local population, and our coaches and students consistently describe themselves as being warmly welcomed.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Wednesday Notes from the Senior Coach
On Tuesday evening we had dinner at the Club of Melli Bank after a delightful stroll along the banks of the river to see the historical bridges of Isfahan. The competitors and leaders strolled the banks separately, but ate dinner together; the leaders arrived first and paced nervously while waiting for their competitors to arrive.
Team USA, which rides on bus 12, was the last of the groups to arrive. We had staked out a table and ten chairs along the patio for the team, the leaders, our observers, and the two Iranian guides. We then settled down to a meal where the conversation kept returning to the performance on the experimental examination.
I think we all agreed that the experiment was challenging to complete in five hours. Not impossible, and not unreasonable, but challenging. We still don't know the marks on either the theory or the experiment, although the leaders will get the marks soon.
That is, of course, if Paul doesn't manage to completely frustrate the tour guide for the leaders' bus. Looking after the leaders while sightseeing is somewhat like herding cats, except that cats are more likely to come if you call. Our tour guide has shown incredible patience!
One nice surprise was the local man who came up and read a poem in Farsi for Rui as a Isfahan birthday greeting. Then we sang.
On Wednesday the leaders toured Hasht Behesht palace and the Chelel-Sotoun Museum. Chelel-Sotoun was the summer palace, also known as the palace of forty pillars, even though there are only twenty. You can find the other twenty in a reflection in the pool. In the afternoon we toured the Jame Mosque and the bazaar, where store owners were only too glad to help us to unload our currency. But polite and fair, though frightening at first, the bargaining aspect of making purchases can be fun, particularly when the store owner tries to help you to bargain. Something like playing poker, where your opponent asks to see your card so he can recommend a bid…..
We joined the students for dinner. Mostly happy, although the reality of the exam being finished, yet not knowing the results, weighs heavily on a few. But spirits were lifted high by the open air dinner, singing and clapping and talking; and the continued gracious hospitality and friendship of our Iranian guides.
============================
Paul Stanley
Dobson Professor of Physics
Beloit College
stanleyp@beloit.edu
Team USA, which rides on bus 12, was the last of the groups to arrive. We had staked out a table and ten chairs along the patio for the team, the leaders, our observers, and the two Iranian guides. We then settled down to a meal where the conversation kept returning to the performance on the experimental examination.
I think we all agreed that the experiment was challenging to complete in five hours. Not impossible, and not unreasonable, but challenging. We still don't know the marks on either the theory or the experiment, although the leaders will get the marks soon.
That is, of course, if Paul doesn't manage to completely frustrate the tour guide for the leaders' bus. Looking after the leaders while sightseeing is somewhat like herding cats, except that cats are more likely to come if you call. Our tour guide has shown incredible patience!
One nice surprise was the local man who came up and read a poem in Farsi for Rui as a Isfahan birthday greeting. Then we sang.
On Wednesday the leaders toured Hasht Behesht palace and the Chelel-Sotoun Museum. Chelel-Sotoun was the summer palace, also known as the palace of forty pillars, even though there are only twenty. You can find the other twenty in a reflection in the pool. In the afternoon we toured the Jame Mosque and the bazaar, where store owners were only too glad to help us to unload our currency. But polite and fair, though frightening at first, the bargaining aspect of making purchases can be fun, particularly when the store owner tries to help you to bargain. Something like playing poker, where your opponent asks to see your card so he can recommend a bid…..
We joined the students for dinner. Mostly happy, although the reality of the exam being finished, yet not knowing the results, weighs heavily on a few. But spirits were lifted high by the open air dinner, singing and clapping and talking; and the continued gracious hospitality and friendship of our Iranian guides.
============================
Paul Stanley
Dobson Professor of Physics
Beloit College
stanleyp@beloit.edu
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Tuesday comments from the Team members
It is now 7:30PM (Iran time) on Tuesday, July 17, and the students just called to chronicle their day.
They woke up very early this morning, had breakfast, went to the Gym and then sat in virtual seclusion for 5 hours as they worked and worked on the Experimental Exam.
Once the exam was over, they enjoyed about 3 hours of free time going over the exam and just enjoying everyone with a release of satisfaction that it was finally over!!.
They were interviewed by the Iranian Student Parliament. These are advisors to the Ministry of Education. After the interview, they toured a Cathedral, built by Armenian immigrants, and the Historic Bridges.
Dinner, with the coaches, consisted of the major food groups: Meat, Lamb, Chicken, Rice ,watermelon and sesame bread. Not surprisingly, the conversation was largely a discussion of the lab exam.
Jenny has enjoyed being with her female counterparts. We remarked on how beautiful she looked in the pictures we have seen. She reported that the tour guide has been gracious in lending her such beautiful scarves.
Clearly, the USA team members are enjoying themselves and making very good friends. While science is an international and cross-cultural language, science by students is even more universal.
They woke up very early this morning, had breakfast, went to the Gym and then sat in virtual seclusion for 5 hours as they worked and worked on the Experimental Exam.
Once the exam was over, they enjoyed about 3 hours of free time going over the exam and just enjoying everyone with a release of satisfaction that it was finally over!!.
They were interviewed by the Iranian Student Parliament. These are advisors to the Ministry of Education. After the interview, they toured a Cathedral, built by Armenian immigrants, and the Historic Bridges.
Dinner, with the coaches, consisted of the major food groups: Meat, Lamb, Chicken, Rice ,watermelon and sesame bread. Not surprisingly, the conversation was largely a discussion of the lab exam.
Jenny has enjoyed being with her female counterparts. We remarked on how beautiful she looked in the pictures we have seen. She reported that the tour guide has been gracious in lending her such beautiful scarves.
Clearly, the USA team members are enjoying themselves and making very good friends. While science is an international and cross-cultural language, science by students is even more universal.
Experimental Exam is now finished!
The students would have finished their experimental exam a few minutes ago. The leaders were up, late last night, discussing and translating the questions for the experiment. Many leaders didn't get back to the hotel until almost dawn. Some decided to sleep in this morning, and missed the trip to the Turkish baths and flower gardens of Isfahan. The leaders have been kept separate from the students since Sunday evening when we had dinner together in the courtyard of a hotel that used to be a caravan stop. A few drops of rain fell- that happens but rarely this time of year- but the cool refreshing breeze was a welcome shift from the heat. The students were bubbling over with questions about the theoretical exam, wanting to know how they did (the leaders don't know yet), or how they should have solved some of the problems. We laughed and told stories and enjoyed the unending hospitality ofour Iranian hosts. Tonight the leaders will join the students for dinner, and, once again, we will discuss exams. Now that the students are finished,
Monday, July 16, 2007
Late on Monday - Preparing the lab exam
We continue to transcribe some of the comments provided by our travelers to the international competition. Paul Stanley, the senior coach, and Toufic Hakim, the AAPT Executive Officer, have been diligent in using their satellite phones to keep in touch with us in the AAPT office.
As of 11:45 PM on Monday night (Isfahan time) the coaches are into their eighth hour ensconced with their counterparts from other nations in their common effort to review, refine, and improve the laboratory exam to be taken by the students tomorrow. Following the approval by the international board (consisting of the two coaches from every participating country), the coaches for each team will ‘translate’ the exam into the language and colloquialisms most familiar to their team members.
On Monday morning for the coaches and leaders and on Monday afternoon for the students, the groups visited the physics department at the Isfahan University of Technology. They also visited a science park/museum that is designed for hands-on access by children and teens; the museum is a pilot effort that might be replicated elsewhere if it is successful in meeting its objectives.
The students are very positive about their exciting experiences in Iran, although they are now second guessing their performances on Sunday’s theory test. Such “second guessing” of their approaches and answers to the questions is quite common in the time between taking the test and receiving their answer sheets and preliminary scores. Students are torn between wanting to forget the earlier test and learning how successful they might have been.
While the day time temperature often exceeds 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the evening temperature has been falling into the 70’s; many people take advantage of the night comfort to walk through the streets to savor the beauty and charm of the city.
When the students awake tomorrow morning (Tuesday) they will be taking the laboratory or practical exam. At that time, many of the coaches will be trying to catch up on the sleep they sacrificed in order to review and translate the lab exam.
Stay tuned for more ….
As of 11:45 PM on Monday night (Isfahan time) the coaches are into their eighth hour ensconced with their counterparts from other nations in their common effort to review, refine, and improve the laboratory exam to be taken by the students tomorrow. Following the approval by the international board (consisting of the two coaches from every participating country), the coaches for each team will ‘translate’ the exam into the language and colloquialisms most familiar to their team members.
On Monday morning for the coaches and leaders and on Monday afternoon for the students, the groups visited the physics department at the Isfahan University of Technology. They also visited a science park/museum that is designed for hands-on access by children and teens; the museum is a pilot effort that might be replicated elsewhere if it is successful in meeting its objectives.
The students are very positive about their exciting experiences in Iran, although they are now second guessing their performances on Sunday’s theory test. Such “second guessing” of their approaches and answers to the questions is quite common in the time between taking the test and receiving their answer sheets and preliminary scores. Students are torn between wanting to forget the earlier test and learning how successful they might have been.
While the day time temperature often exceeds 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the evening temperature has been falling into the 70’s; many people take advantage of the night comfort to walk through the streets to savor the beauty and charm of the city.
When the students awake tomorrow morning (Tuesday) they will be taking the laboratory or practical exam. At that time, many of the coaches will be trying to catch up on the sleep they sacrificed in order to review and translate the lab exam.
Stay tuned for more ….
Photos from Opening
The following web site has some wonderful photos of the beginning events in the international event now underway in Iran. One of the photos shows Jenny Kwan of the US team.
http://www.payvand.com/news/07/jul/1151.html
In contrast to all the good news about the international physics olympiad competition in Iran, the event was marred by an incident that saddens all those who know the history of the event.
The founder and president of the International Physics Olympiad died suddenly of a heart attack that he suffered during the current competition in Isfahan, Iran. Waldemar Gorzkowski founded the Physics Olympiad event in Poland in 1967, and he served as the president of the event since that time.
Waldemar was a friend and a leader among all of those interested in physics education and in international cooperation. He encouraged all nations to identify and to encourage all students interested in physics. His leadership sustained and inspired the olympiad competitions since their founding four decades ago.
AAPT joins all of Waldemar’s friends and admirers in expressing our sympathy on his passing and our gratitude for all he did to advance international cooperation and physics education.
http://www.payvand.com/news/07/jul/1151.html
In contrast to all the good news about the international physics olympiad competition in Iran, the event was marred by an incident that saddens all those who know the history of the event.
The founder and president of the International Physics Olympiad died suddenly of a heart attack that he suffered during the current competition in Isfahan, Iran. Waldemar Gorzkowski founded the Physics Olympiad event in Poland in 1967, and he served as the president of the event since that time.
Waldemar was a friend and a leader among all of those interested in physics education and in international cooperation. He encouraged all nations to identify and to encourage all students interested in physics. His leadership sustained and inspired the olympiad competitions since their founding four decades ago.
AAPT joins all of Waldemar’s friends and admirers in expressing our sympathy on his passing and our gratitude for all he did to advance international cooperation and physics education.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
The Theory Exam is finished
The students have now completed their first exam. They found the theory exam quite difficult, which is hardly surprising given the nature of the competition and the ability of the students from across the world. While the students were in the exam hall on Sunday morning (Iran time), the leaders were taken on an excursion similar to the one that the students enjoyed on the first day. Following the exam, the students and the leaders dined at an elegant and majestic hotel that is typically visited by national and international dignitaries.
Everyone continues to be excited with the experiences they are sharing, and they are in great spirits. The team has been introduced to different kinds of food and different cultures. More importantly, the US students are learning that students from all over the world can come together to learn about each other’s cultures. The friendships that are being formed will last a lifetime. While memories of the examinations will fade, it is the personal interactions and experiences that will remain with the students through their lifetimes.
Everyone continues to be excited with the experiences they are sharing, and they are in great spirits. The team has been introduced to different kinds of food and different cultures. More importantly, the US students are learning that students from all over the world can come together to learn about each other’s cultures. The friendships that are being formed will last a lifetime. While memories of the examinations will fade, it is the personal interactions and experiences that will remain with the students through their lifetimes.
More on Days 1 and 2 in Iran
These notes are a composite of comments by our traveling team, five students and their leaders….
Iran Day 1
The USA team arrived in Iran to a most welcoming greeting by the Iranian Organizers. The Organizers collected our group's passports and luggage claims and personally went through customs for the group. In the meantime, our students were brought to a reception room where they met the teams from China, Nigeria and Korea. They enjoyed morning tea and biscuits until all the customs formalities were taken care of. The airport was different because of the “silence.” There were absolutely no other people around, other than the several teams.
The group was then taken to a bus where they were brought to the university. The ride was uncomfortable only because the temperature outside was close to 120 degrees and the bus was cooled to a mere 90 degrees. The boys were housed together with their own guide while Jenny was given her own guide and brought to the Guest House with the other female team members. The coaches were housed about 20 minutes away. They were told by the organizers that their clothes would be taken at night and washed and pressed to be returned by 7am each morning! (Parents might note this expectation by their returning student.)
Already everyone is bonding nicely. The USA coaches, Paul and Bob, and Toufic were interviewed by the local TV, and the USA team is enjoying its celebrity status.
All in all, the arrival went quite smoothly and very quickly.
Iran Day 2
The Opening Ceremony was truly a great experience. It was opened by the Minister of Education; the Keynote Address was given by the Head of the Iranian Parliament – equivalent to the USA Speaker of the House. Throughout the ceremony, there was much dancing and singing; the ceremony ended with a “parade” of the student competitors marching across the stage. Afterwards, everyone sat down for a banquet.
Later that day, the leaders and students said ‘goodbye’ and separated until the next day so that the leaders could begin discussion of the first exam to be given at 8am Sunday morning (midnight on Saturday EDT). The students spent Saturday on their first excursion – Bird Garden with over 5,000 birds in an enclosed area, among many other sites. For breakfast, the 22 female students locked themselves in their dorm and enjoyed a “special” birthday breakfast for one of the Iranian girls. The US Team shared lunch, chatted and told stories with their fellow Netherlands teammates.
The one thread that keeps coming through from the USA group is that everyone is warm, welcoming, accommodating and very, very friendly.
Iran Day 1
The USA team arrived in Iran to a most welcoming greeting by the Iranian Organizers. The Organizers collected our group's passports and luggage claims and personally went through customs for the group. In the meantime, our students were brought to a reception room where they met the teams from China, Nigeria and Korea. They enjoyed morning tea and biscuits until all the customs formalities were taken care of. The airport was different because of the “silence.” There were absolutely no other people around, other than the several teams.
The group was then taken to a bus where they were brought to the university. The ride was uncomfortable only because the temperature outside was close to 120 degrees and the bus was cooled to a mere 90 degrees. The boys were housed together with their own guide while Jenny was given her own guide and brought to the Guest House with the other female team members. The coaches were housed about 20 minutes away. They were told by the organizers that their clothes would be taken at night and washed and pressed to be returned by 7am each morning! (Parents might note this expectation by their returning student.)
Already everyone is bonding nicely. The USA coaches, Paul and Bob, and Toufic were interviewed by the local TV, and the USA team is enjoying its celebrity status.
All in all, the arrival went quite smoothly and very quickly.
Iran Day 2
The Opening Ceremony was truly a great experience. It was opened by the Minister of Education; the Keynote Address was given by the Head of the Iranian Parliament – equivalent to the USA Speaker of the House. Throughout the ceremony, there was much dancing and singing; the ceremony ended with a “parade” of the student competitors marching across the stage. Afterwards, everyone sat down for a banquet.
Later that day, the leaders and students said ‘goodbye’ and separated until the next day so that the leaders could begin discussion of the first exam to be given at 8am Sunday morning (midnight on Saturday EDT). The students spent Saturday on their first excursion – Bird Garden with over 5,000 birds in an enclosed area, among many other sites. For breakfast, the 22 female students locked themselves in their dorm and enjoyed a “special” birthday breakfast for one of the Iranian girls. The US Team shared lunch, chatted and told stories with their fellow Netherlands teammates.
The one thread that keeps coming through from the USA group is that everyone is warm, welcoming, accommodating and very, very friendly.
All is KHOB
We are all fine here in Esfahan, the green veil of the desert resting casually at the base of majestic rocky hills. The city does not seem to have decided whether to go with an "I" (Isfahan) or "E" (Esfahan)--which is the most serious consternation I have encountered!
Esfahan, a former capital of Iran (many times over) is proud of its rich history and heritage. It appears to be in love with a cooling river swirling through it, graced by a series of bridges, among them the 33-arch bridge (circa 17th C / by our hotel), popular parks on both banks that separate the old town from its modern sister. The temperature has been turquoise-hot, but bearable ("Al hamdoo lil-'Allah" for giving humans the ability to understand thermodynamics and the requisite engineering knowledge and creativity to design air conditioners!).
Our experience has been nothing short of wonderful. The organizers and everyone with whom we had interacted in general have been most welcoming, hospitable, and accommodating. (Many seem quite interested in the event and our team being here. Our team received the second loudest applause when on stage at the opening ceremony, after the home team, that is!)
The events are well organized; the meals a bit too abundant (rice with saffron and kabob twice a day--and ample vegetarian choices; and multiple snacks daily, marsaban galore); but this group of students, leaders and observes is clearly a hungry--famished--bunch!). The rides on the large Mercedes buses have been scenic and dizzying (over 20 buses at the disposal of the 76 teams of attendees, often moving in escorted convoys, broken up only by the flying motorbikes zooming the city). Planned excursions will take us to an Armenian cathedral and an old mosque (thousands of Christians, Jews and Zorastrians live in the city), the shaking minarets and the bazaar...and brief stories of soufis like Hafiz ad Amu Abdullah, and the Persian scientists like Ebn Zina.
As for the essential stuff: Contestants will be done with their theoretical exam in about 30 minutes (the leaders approved the exam after 7 hours of discussion yesterday and finished translating way past the 3:30am morning "azan" prayers. The cycle begins tomorrow for the experimental exam with the test on Tuesday. The assessment of the teachers is that the exam is moderately difficult; we'll meet the students for dinner tonight (hosted by the Governor of the Province of Esfahan and the Mayor of the city) to find out their take...Hoping for a number of medals.
Wish us well...Toufic
Esfahan, a former capital of Iran (many times over) is proud of its rich history and heritage. It appears to be in love with a cooling river swirling through it, graced by a series of bridges, among them the 33-arch bridge (circa 17th C / by our hotel), popular parks on both banks that separate the old town from its modern sister. The temperature has been turquoise-hot, but bearable ("Al hamdoo lil-'Allah" for giving humans the ability to understand thermodynamics and the requisite engineering knowledge and creativity to design air conditioners!).
Our experience has been nothing short of wonderful. The organizers and everyone with whom we had interacted in general have been most welcoming, hospitable, and accommodating. (Many seem quite interested in the event and our team being here. Our team received the second loudest applause when on stage at the opening ceremony, after the home team, that is!)
The events are well organized; the meals a bit too abundant (rice with saffron and kabob twice a day--and ample vegetarian choices; and multiple snacks daily, marsaban galore); but this group of students, leaders and observes is clearly a hungry--famished--bunch!). The rides on the large Mercedes buses have been scenic and dizzying (over 20 buses at the disposal of the 76 teams of attendees, often moving in escorted convoys, broken up only by the flying motorbikes zooming the city). Planned excursions will take us to an Armenian cathedral and an old mosque (thousands of Christians, Jews and Zorastrians live in the city), the shaking minarets and the bazaar...and brief stories of soufis like Hafiz ad Amu Abdullah, and the Persian scientists like Ebn Zina.
As for the essential stuff: Contestants will be done with their theoretical exam in about 30 minutes (the leaders approved the exam after 7 hours of discussion yesterday and finished translating way past the 3:30am morning "azan" prayers. The cycle begins tomorrow for the experimental exam with the test on Tuesday. The assessment of the teachers is that the exam is moderately difficult; we'll meet the students for dinner tonight (hosted by the Governor of the Province of Esfahan and the Mayor of the city) to find out their take...Hoping for a number of medals.
Wish us well...Toufic
Friday, July 13, 2007
Welcome to Iran
Midnight - Iran: The travelers arrived safely in Iran and were greeted with a warm welcome and VIP treatment. Everyone is doing well but very exhausted, as it was a long journey from Dubai to Tehran. After registration the group attended a Welcome Reception Dinner Party held at Fountain Place, IUT. The party provided the group with the opportunity to meet delegates from all nations. A wide variety of great food, music, and art was enjoyed by all. The University is beautiful as well as the accommodations for all the students. Jenny has a Swiss roommate and her own guide. The four other students also have a guide. After the party the travelers turned in for the night with great expectations for tomorrow’s opening ceremony excursion.
To view the program of IPHO 2007 visit http://www.ipho2007.ir/SecondE/Ipho/programmeFinal.asp
Thursday, July 12, 2007
true life: i went swimming in the persian gulf
it was saltier than i bargained for. i dunked my head underwater and was promptly punished -- my eyes stung, i got a mouthful of icky water, and some water lodged itself in my ear. the water hasn't gone away yet. as a result, i am partially deaf in my left ear, which makes communication with my fellow team members difficult. after this ordeal, haofei, completely unprovoked, savagely whipped me with a wet t-shirt. i tried to retaliate, but to no avail. at the end of the evening, i was sandy, pickled alive because of the briny water, and stinging from haofei's brutal wrath. despite these minor annoyances, it was great fun.
Dubai - Day 2
After a night of rest, we rose in time for breakfast at 8 am. Some of us were up earlier, and were able to hear the mournful call to prayer at sunrise.
Breakfast was a delightful buffet of traditional fares, including beef bacon and veal sausage, as well as omelette's and fruits and yoghurts, with an "H".
After breakfast we went to the beach. Originally just for sight-seeing, as the students said they didn't want to swim, but when they saw the clear azure waters of the Persian Gulf they fell in love, and insisted that we return in the evening when the temperatures would cool down to a moderate 100 F.
We did some shopping at a souk, and then returned to the hotel to meet up with Daryl and Toufic for a drive to Sharjah and the American University. While driving we noticed that the temperature outside was 46 C, almost 120 F! The students spent several hours laughing and playing with introductory lab equipment in the well equipped facilities, and a delightful professor who enjoyed answering questions and discussing his approach to education. Lunch was in the cafeteria on campus, with in depth discussions of the Mach principle and intertial frame dragging. We then had a quick tour of a souk in Sharjah. Then we rushed back to the hotel so that the students could grab their swimsuits, and headed back to the beach.
We'll have a late dinner, but an early night, in order to get ready for the flight to Tehran at seven tomorrow morning.
-Paul
Breakfast was a delightful buffet of traditional fares, including beef bacon and veal sausage, as well as omelette's and fruits and yoghurts, with an "H".
After breakfast we went to the beach. Originally just for sight-seeing, as the students said they didn't want to swim, but when they saw the clear azure waters of the Persian Gulf they fell in love, and insisted that we return in the evening when the temperatures would cool down to a moderate 100 F.
We did some shopping at a souk, and then returned to the hotel to meet up with Daryl and Toufic for a drive to Sharjah and the American University. While driving we noticed that the temperature outside was 46 C, almost 120 F! The students spent several hours laughing and playing with introductory lab equipment in the well equipped facilities, and a delightful professor who enjoyed answering questions and discussing his approach to education. Lunch was in the cafeteria on campus, with in depth discussions of the Mach principle and intertial frame dragging. We then had a quick tour of a souk in Sharjah. Then we rushed back to the hotel so that the students could grab their swimsuits, and headed back to the beach.
We'll have a late dinner, but an early night, in order to get ready for the flight to Tehran at seven tomorrow morning.
-Paul
Beach and sightseeing
This morning the physics team hit the 24/7 Manhattan cafe for some breakfast and then loaded up onto two taxis for an hour-long trip through the Dubai rush hour. We visited a beach on the Persian gulf - we're planning to go back this afternoon. We also took some pictures in front of a sail-shaped hotel and spent some time at a local mall. We're now leaving for the American University to meet with the physics department. Tomorrow morning we're leaving for our flight to Tehran at 3AM.
music videos, et al
after dinner yesterday, we told ourselves that we were going to work on theoretical problems from old ipho's and apho's, but instead, we ridiculed music videos on television for almost three hours. one entire hour was spent on a justin timberlake marathon. we all developed a deep appreciation for his expansive oeuvre.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
They have arrived in Dubai
Paul Stanley, Senior Coach, called to let us know that the Physics Team arrived safely in Dubai a few hours ago. The time difference between Dubai and the US East Coast is 8 hours. So, in Dubai, it's a little after 9:00PM on Wednesday, July 11.
Clearly the most important information from the group is that the weather is VERY hot and Sweaty with the temperature around 106. To cool off, the group took a Boat Ride on The Creek and then visited an air-conditioned Museum.
They are now looking forward to having dinner and going to sleep.
Tomorrow's plans are to go to the Beach, have a nice lunch and visit the American University of Sharjah in Dubai.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
7/10 - 9:31 am - At JFK safely - Boarding to Dubai in one hour. Besides a little glitch with Director Bob's ticket, which the agent was first unable to find through her computer terminal but luckily later recovered, all seems to be fine...Nine pairs of droopy eyes and fewer than nine reluctant smiles; but energy abounds...DrH
first post!
We would like to inform the world that we have been awake for the last 20 hours. We are leaving College Park in about 15 minutes. Then, we'll spend approximately 20-22 more hours in transit to Dubai, UAE. To pass the time during the flight and allay Bob, we have printed out enough old physics olympiad problems to give everyone on the team a headache twelve times over. When we get sick of that, we plan to steal Paul's hat again and actually succeed in framing Bob. Once we arrive, we will have to remain awake for another full day to adjust to the jet lag. By the end of this ordeal, we hope to hallucinate and see visions of our ancestors beckoning to us.
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