Jointly reported by:
New Zhi Xuan Sr1ScE
Ho Chia Chien Sr2ComB

Photography by: Kuen Cheng Newsletter Club

The Asian Physics Olympiad (APhO) is an annual physics competition where passionate high school students from countries across Asia and the Oceanic regions compete for top honors. This year, Malaysia hosted the 24th Asian Physics Olympiad for the first time! The competition took place from June 3rd to June 10th, 2024, at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Kampar Campus in Kampar, Perak. After a 5-hour theoretical examination and a 5-hour laboratory experiment, Tang Yee Yin, from Sr3ScA (2023), received an honorable mention. In our interview with her, we uncovered Yee Yin’s passion and enthusiasm for learning physics. Let’s take a look at what she shared in the interview!

Tang Yee Yin in competition

1. What kind of experience has made you so passionate about physics?

The physics knowledge I gained while preparing for this competition was vastly different from what we learned in school. When I first encountered physics beyond our school curriculum, it felt like I had discovered an entirely new world. That’s where my love for physics truly began, and my passion for it grew even stronger as I delved deeper.

2. What is your most unforgettable experience while preparing for competitions?

A week before the competition, my teammates and I would stay up late working on practice questions together. We even rented a place so we could study and prepare as a team. Having my teammates by my side was an unforgettable experience. Through these competitions, I’ve gained not only valuable experience but also lasting friendships.

3. When in the face of difficulties in your academics, how would you overcome them?

Maintain a positive mindset. While it may not solve every problem, it gives you the courage to take on challenges! With a positive mindset, you’ve already tackled half the battle.
4. When participating in competitions in different countries, have you had any exciting or inspiring experiences?
Participating in this competition has given me the opportunity to interact with people from diverse countries and cultural backgrounds. Meeting others who share similar interests, despite our different cultures, makes me feel a strong connection with them.

5. Besides your accomplishments in physics, you can also play the GuQin. How do you balance your academics and hobbies?

I had to make several sacrifices. Recognizing what was truly important to me was a significant part of my Senior 3 year, as I faced limited time and a heavy workload. I learned to make choices and give up some things in order to focus on what mattered most.

6. Do you have any suggestions for students who need help to develop an interest in physics?

No matter how much you might dislike it, don’t shy away from it. Embrace physics as part of the learning process and don’t be intimidated by it just because it seems difficult. Try reading physics-related books or articles that might spark your interest. The best way to develop a genuine interest in something is by understanding it better!

7. What role do you think studying physics plays in your life?

I think studying physics is one of the ways I understand and view the world, similar to other subjects like history and biology. At the same time, it feels like a pair of eyes through which I see the world. The main point of studying physics is to understand its principles.

8. How much time do you think is ideal to spend daily studying or reviewing physics to learn it well?

The time should not be manageable, but also not too little. It should not be so much that it wears away your enthusiasm or completely ignores other things like academics. Conversely, it should not be so little that you haven’t even started before it’s over, as that would be a waste. However, the most important thing is that it depends on the person and the situation, as it varies from person to person. Personally, I prefer astrophysics, so I spend more time on it.

9. Who inspired or motivated you to continue progressing on this path of learning physics?

My older brother was my initial inspiration because he also likes physics and taught me a lot about it from a young age, sparking my interest. There are many setbacks and difficulties on this path, but if you persist, you will be inspired by many people, and it can be mutual inspiration.

10. What are the benefits of playing the guqin, and why did you start learning it?

The Guqin has great cultural value, and many classic stories in classical Chinese literature and ancient Chinese dramas mention it. The ‘Qin’ (琴) in the Four Arts (琴棋书画) refers to the Guqin. The sound of the Guqin is relatively deep and gives me a sense of tranquillity and elegance. In modern society, where life is fast-paced, playing the Guqin helps me find a sense of peace and calm. If you are anxious, you won’t be able to play well, so you must first learn to calm your mind. I started learning at the age of 12, though intermittently, and I practise during my free time.

11. What does the Science Olympiad mean to you, and why did you want to participate in it?

This competition is not very common in Malaysia. The physics in the competition is also very different from what is taught in school, not only in difficulty but also in the way of thinking. I wanted to participate because of my interest in physics and to compete with other strong physics students, which I thought would be very interesting.

12. How did you prepare for this competition?

I needed to find many additional resources because what the school provided was not enough. It’s important to ask teachers and even classmates. In summary, seeking more information, asking more questions, looking at different types of questions, and practising a lot are essential steps in preparation.

13. Did you encounter any challenges while preparing for this competition?

The questions were really difficult, almost at the university level, so it was quite challenging. However, I believe that fear should not come too quickly. Taking it step by step, finding relevant information, and proceeding slowly without panicking too early is crucial to avoid affecting your performance.

14. Has this competition had any impact on your personal development and learning abilities?

It has certainly been very beneficial in two main aspects. In physics, I learned many theories and skills, realising that what is taught in school is just the tip of the iceberg. It has also laid a solid foundation for future exploration in terms of hard skills and academics. In the social aspect, I believe that communication between people is very important. Learning how to express oneself is crucial. After this competition, due to the different social atmosphere abroad, my social skills have greatly improved in terms of soft skills and interpersonal relationships.

15. Are you considering a future career related to physics?

Yes, I plan to major in physics at university and later study at the National University of Singapore.

Tang Yee Yin