This a record year in terms of participation, with 19 teams from 16 countries competing. The teams will try to answer questions like, “Is it possible to estimate how far away a train is, and how fast it’s travelling, merely from the sound it makes as it approaches?” and “How can the structure of a samara – the helicopter-like fruit that grows on certain trees – inspire more efficient parachute design?”
EPFL won the gold medal last year, so it’s defending its title. But the six-day event – which runs from April 21-26 – is also an opportunity for networking.
“Once the qualifying stages are over, you often see teams discussing how physics is taught in their country,” says coordinator Evgenii Glushkov, a PhD student in the EPFL laboratory of nanoscale biology. “Competing for the medals is only part of what the IPT is about. We all head home having learned something – and met lots of new people along the way.”
The public can watch the presentations throughout the week, and the final, which will take place at the Rolex Learning Center Forum on April 26, will be broadcast live. Click hereExternal link for the full schedule.
More
More
EPFL marks 50 years of scientific progress
This content was published on
Over the past five decades, the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) has been the home of many scientific discoveries.
Ecological status of Swiss streams insufficient according to study
This content was published on
Pesticide use and obstructions of waterways have a particularly negative impact on sensitive organisms, completely absent in 70% of streams analysed.
Train line between Brig and Domodossola interrupted
This content was published on
One day after a derailment approximately 15 kilometres from the Swiss border, BLS is running buses for passengers between Preglia and Domodossola, in Italy.
Swiss football boss wants crackdown on individual hooligans
This content was published on
The head of the Swiss Football League says he prefers a harsher approach to individual hooligans rather than collective punishment measures affecting all fans.
Amherd: Council of Europe is ‘as urgently needed as ever’
This content was published on
The Swiss government emphasised on Sunday the vital role of the Strasbourg-based Council of Europe, 75 years after it was founded.
Swiss minister: Italy will back Switzerland in EU talks
This content was published on
Bern can count on the backing of Italy as it re-enters talks with the European Union on future relations, Viola Amherd says.
Student protestors at University of Lausanne continue pro-Palestine sit-in
This content was published on
Since Thursday, a hall on campus has been occupied by students calling for a boycott of Israeli academic institutions and a ceasefire in Gaza.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Scientists invent laser source to detect pollution
This content was published on
Researchers in Lausanne have developed a simple mid-infrared laser source that can be used to detect pollution in the air.
New prosthetic hand can sense objects’ form and position
This content was published on
The device, which took a decade to complete, was developed by scientists at the Federal Institute of Technology EPFLExternal link in Lausanne as well as the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in PisaExternal link and the A. Gemelli University Polyclinic in Rome. It enables amputees to sense an object’s shape, consistency, size and position without…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.