The participation of Azorean students in the national phase of the Physics Olympiad was distinguished by the awarding of two gold medals. A team from Domingos Rebelo Secondary School won in the level A category, while a team from Antero de Quental Secondary School won in the level B category.
 
The National Physics Olympiads, held this year in Porto, are organised by the Portuguese Physics Society with the purpose of encouraging and developing the taste for this scientific area among basic education and secondary school students. The competition selected the country's representatives in the International Olympiads and in the Ibero-American Olympics; both competitions take place in 2019.
 
Recognising the importance of this initiative in the scientific education of young people and its impact on the growing interest in themes related to several branches of science and technology, the Regional Government, through the Regional Directorate for Science and Technology (DRCT), has been participating in the Physics Olympiad in recent years.
 
Hence, the DRCT has been supporting the participation of several teams from all islands in the regional phase of the Physics Olympiad, which this year involved the participation of about 85 students and teachers. This goal has been achieved through a tender intended to support the participation of students and accompanying teachers from regional schools in events and initiatives for scientific and technological dissemination.
 
The Physics Olympiads comprise a theoretical and an experimental component. They are divided into two levels, namely level A for students up to the 9th form and the level B for students up to the 11th form.
 
In level A, the teams have a maximum of three students, while in level B student compete individually and each school may present up to three students.
 
The success of Azorean students in this competition confirms that the investment in this type of events, the promotion of scientific and technological dissemination and the experimental teaching of sciences in the Region should continue. In fact, it is a fundamental factor in the education of young people, raising their interest in scientific and technological areas.