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Canadian Young Physicists’ Tournament Homepage

 

The Canadian Young Physicists’ Tournament (CaYPT) is an annual national physics competition that invites high school students to explore open-ended problems through hands-on experimentation and creative research. Whether you’re new to physics or already dreaming of a career in science, this competition is your launchpad. CaYPT also serves as Canada’s official selection competition for the International Young Physicists’ Tournament (IYPT).

Our History & Global Connection

CaYPT was founded in 2016, coinciding with Canada’s first participation in the IYPT. Since the first national competition in 2017, it has grown into a vibrant event involving over 150 students, teachers, and jurors each year.

CaYPT is the official pathway to the IYPT, sometimes referred to as the Physics World Cup. This prestigious international competition brings together high school students from around the world to discuss, defend, and debate their physics research. Participants travel abroad, exchange ideas, and form lasting friendships across cultures.

Competition Structure

CaYPT Problems

Each year, the CaYPT Committee releases 10 open-ended problems months before the competition. These problems involve physical phenomena that are easy to reproduce using simple materials, yet rich in physics. For example, one problem from CaYPT 2024 reads:

“Attach a rod assembled from cylindrical neodymium magnets horizontally to a vertical ferromagnetic rod. Limit the motion of the magnets to the vertical direction. When the ferromagnetic rod is spun around its axis of symmetry, the magnetic rod begins to climb up. Explain this phenomenon and investigate how the rate of climbing depends on relevant parameters.”

Students are expected to treat the problems not as textbook questions, but as mini research projects. They should engage in the full scientific process: conducting a literature review, designing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions.

During the team competition, students present and defend their solutions in a format similar to a thesis defense or conference talk. They also engage in structured discussions with other teams, offering constructive critique and insights. Jurors — a mix of physics PhD students and high school teachers — evaluate the depth, rigor, and clarity of each team’s work. There is no single correct answer — students are rewarded for scientific thinking and creativity.

CaYPT Team Competition

The Physics Match (PM)

Students participate in teams of 3–5 in a series of Physics Matches (PMs). In each match, one team presents as the Reporter, while another acts as the Opponent, critically analyzing the solution. In the second half of the match, the teams switch roles.

📄 [For full details, see the CaYPT Rules and Regulations]

Competition Format

The CaYPT Team Competition is typically held over two consecutive Saturdays in late February and early March. It consists of:

  • 5 Selective Physics Matches — each team faces 5 different opponents
  • 1 Final Match — the top 3 teams compete for the championship

📄 [See the current tournament page for updated schedules]

 

Individual Selection Round (Optional)

Students may opt into the Individual Selection Round to be considered for the Canadian IYPT team. Participants submit written reports on each problem they investigated, modeled after scientific journal articles (e.g., Physical Review Letters).

Key milestones:

  • Reports due ~3–4 weeks after the team competition
  • Grading period ~4 weeks
  • Final ranking announcement before May 1

The top 5 students are selected to represent Canada at the IYPT.

📄 [See the Team Canada Selection Document for full details]

Who Can Participate?

  • Open to any student who has not yet entered post-secondary education
  • Teams must consist of 3–5 students and one adult team leader (teacher or parent)
  • Open to public, private, and homeschool students — including international students studying in Canada
  • Only students with Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status are eligible to represent Canada at the IYPT

       For Educators, Jurors, and Volunteers

      We welcome the support of passionate educators and professionals:

      • Serve as team leaders or mentors
      • Serve as jurors — graduate students and faculty in physics or related fields are especially encouraged. (CaYPT provides some financial compensation for jurors)
      • Help promote CaYPT in schools, science fairs, and academic circles

      High school and undergraduate students may also volunteer to support event logistics

          CaYPT News and Upcoming Dates

           (Jun 28, 2025) Team Canada Travels to IYPT 2025

          __________

          (Apr 28, 2025) Tentative: Announcement of 2025 Individual Selection Result

          (Apr 07, 2025) Deadline to Submit Reports for 2025 Individual Selection

          (Mar 17, 2025) Announcement of IYPT 2025 Team Canada Selection Policies

          CaYPT 2025 Individual Selection stage has began. Click here for more details.

          (Mar 1, 2025) CaYPT 2025 Day 2

          (Feb 22, 2025) CaYPT 2025 Day 1

          (Feb 11, 2025) CaYPT Registration Ends

          (Jan 24, 2025) CaYPT 2025 Registration Began. Click here for details.

          (Sept 23, 2024) CaYPT 2025 Problems Released

          This site is under construction. The CaYPT team is working hard to migrate from the old CaYPT page. Come back for updates!

          For CaYPT 2025 Information and Registration, please visit the CaYPT 2025 Homepage.