THE PHYSICS TOURNAMENT MOVEMENT AS A COMPONENT OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME OF SCIENTIFIC LYCEUMS

Abstract

Abstract. The article examines the role of the physics tournament movement as a contemporary educational approach and substantiates the feasibility of its integration into the educational programmes of Ukrainian scientific lyceums. The organizational features of the Ukrainian Young Physicists’ Tournament (UYPT) are analysed, demonstrating its alignment with the strategic objectives of the New Ukrainian School reform and the concept of scientific lyceums. It is shown that the tournament-based learning model combines competency-based, activity-oriented, and inquiry-based approaches, enabling students to acquire practical experience in formulating scientific problems, designing and conducting experiments, analysing experimental results, developing physical models, and publicly defending their conclusions.

The methodological framework of the study is based on the analysis of regulatory documents, contemporary Ukrainian and international research on inquiry-based learning, problem-based learning, the development of research competencies, and scientific communication skills, as well as on the generalization of the authors’ long-term experience in organizing the Ukrainian Young Physicists’ Tournament and preparing student teams for international competitions.

The study demonstrates that the physics tournament movement creates an educational environment closely resembling authentic scientific practice, where students work on open-ended research problems, learn to justify and defend their viewpoints, critically evaluate the work of their peers, collaborate effectively in teams, and make well-reasoned decisions under conditions of uncertainty. It is argued that these forms of learning contribute significantly to the development of subject-specific, research, communication, and social competencies defined by contemporary educational standards. Particular attention is paid to the potential of artificial intelligence systems as tools for supporting tournament preparation while maintaining academic integrity and preserving students’ independence in research activities.

The authors conclude that the physics tournament movement is not only an effective means of supporting gifted students but also a promising component of the educational programmes of scientific lyceums, facilitating the integration of academic learning with research activities and contributing to the preparation of future researchers and engineers.