How does gravity keep you in your seat while you’re upside down on the Enterprise? What is the potential energy of the Corkscrew at the top of its first hill? On Tuesday April 29th, twenty-four two-person teams of Physics 11/12 students from across the province will be venturing to Playland at the PNE to use some of the parks biggest rides as real-life case studies in the 2014 BC’s Brightest Minds critical-thinking science competition. The 2014 BC’s Brightest Minds competition will be held in conjunction with the 27thanniversary of Playland’s Science and Physics Days.
In the competition, each team of students will be given a series of physics problems related to the Playland at the PNE rides, along with the necessary tools to complete the problems, and exclusive early access to the park. The students will then set out on a half-day, head-to-head battle, vying for the title of BC’s Brightest Minds. Also up for grabs is a total of $2,000 in scholarships and official recognition for all award recipients. The winning team will take home $1,200 ($600 each), while the second place team will earn $600 ($300 each), and third place will take home $200 ($100 each).
A renowned team of expert educators from the UBC Physics department has once again teamed up with the staff at Playland at the PNE to formulate the questions, as well as monitor and judge the competition to determine who the 2014 BC’s Brightest Minds will be.
The 2014 BC’s Brightest Minds competition will run from 9:00am to 12:00pm on Tuesday April 29th, and the winners will be announced in a special closing ceremony at 2:00pm.
| EVENT DETAILS |
| DATE: | Tuesday, April 29, 2014 |
| LOCATION: | Playland at the PNE |
| TIME: | 8:45 am – Opening Ceremonies (at the Roller Coaster) |
| 9:00 am – Competition starts | |
| 9:00 am – 12:00 pm – Students complete questions | |
| 2:00 pm – Awards / Closing Ceremonies (at the Roller Coaster) | |
| PARKING: | Gate 9 (off Bridgeway Street) |
For more information about Science and Physics Days at Playland at the PNE please visit: www.pne.ca.
About the PNE:
Owned by the City of Vancouver, the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) is a healthy and vibrant non-profit charity organization dedicated to providing over 3 million visitors a year with first-class cultural, sporting and family entertainment events. Founded in 1910, the PNE operates from a 114-acre site at Hastings Park, a multi-facility venue in Vancouver where the organization operates four business streams: an annual 17-day Fair, Playland Amusement Park, maintenance and care of the Hasting Park site and management of the site’s year-round facilities. These facilities are utilized to celebrate a variety of hockey, amateur sporting, music, community, social, cultural and commercial events throughout the year.
