Exciting experiments, new knowledge, and collaboration: Physics and Us Summer Camp concludes

The Summer Camp Physics and Us, dedicated this year to the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, took place from August 5 to 9. It brought together high school students from grades 11 and 12 interested in physics, as well as first- to third-year bachelor’s students from YSU Institute of Physics who specialize in physics, radiophysics, mathematics, mechanics, electrical engineering, and programming. Out of more than seventy applicants, 26 were selected—17 university students and 9 high school students—with a total of around 60 participants.

Edvard Grigoryan, President of YSO Student Chapter at YSU Institute of Physics, noted that this year’s camp was organized in a new format. 

"Unlike previous years when participants worked on a single large project, this time four groups completed two separate projects. Over five days, each group, under the guidance of mentors, conducted a series of short optical and electronic experiments and analyzed various physical phenomena on-site. These experiments introduced participants to intriguing concepts such as interference, sonoluminescence, light sources, and the basic principles of spectroscopy," he noted.

Many young mentors—former camp participants themselves—effectively shared their knowledge and skills with the students. Alongside theoretical and practical tasks, participants attended general lectures and received all necessary equipment and resources to solve several predefined problems. 

The first project focused on the design and construction of an interferometer. Participants used the provided optical components and devices to obtain interference patterns and applied programming skills to present their results with graphics. 

Tatevik Chalyan, a YSU graduate and Ambassador of the international organization Optica, as well as a researcher at Vrije Universiteit Brussel and one of the camp’s organizers, stated: "The camp aimed to unite high school and university students to share fundamental engineering knowledge in electronics and optics. This year, participants studied the operation of an interferometer, generated sonoluminescence, and explored the spectral properties of light sources, gaining foundational insights into optics and electronics."

Garnik Hayrapetyan, summer camp mentor and President of the IPR Armenia Student Chapter at the Institute for Physical Research of the National Academy of Sciences, emphasized the camp’s goal of increasing interest in physics. The experiments, based on everyday phenomena, sparked a renewed curiosity for applied optics and electronics among both high school and bachelor’s students. 

Anahit Khachikyan, a high school student from the National Polytechnic University of Armenia, shared: "I realized I really enjoy physics, especially studying physical phenomena, because physics is not just solving problems; it helps us understand the world around us."

The second project involved generating a light source using acoustic waves. Participants worked with various electronic components to produce acoustic waves, which were then used to create glowing air bubbles. 

Summer camp participant Mari Simonyan talked about her team’s work, noting: "Optical fibers transmit signals by internal reflection, which allows the signal to be sent to the other end—this is how the internet functions."

On the final day, participants presented the outcomes of their research and device-building projects. Reports were delivered by Artur Galstyan, Technology Director of Advanced Technologies Group, along with members of the YSU student organization. 

The camp was sponsored by Yerevan State University, international organizations SPIE and Optica, companies THORLABS and Advanced Technologies Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, and the Institute for Physical Research of the National Academy of Sciences. Participation in the camp was completely free of charge. 

At the closing ceremony, all participants received certificates of participation, and mentors were awarded letters of appreciation. 

Organized annually by the student chapters of Optica—YSO Student Chapter and IPR Armenia Optica Student Chapter—this camp offers future specialists an opportunity to connect with representatives from various industrial organizations in the field of physics. Throughout the camp, experts deliver engaging lectures on physics, data science, photonics, and artificial intelligence. By highlighting current challenges and potential solutions in the field, the camp offers youth a valuable opportunity to explore the latest developments in their professional domain. 

Such camps play a significant role as a component of science and education development, contributing immensely to achieving learning goals and outcomes.