United States Invitational Young Physicists

The United States Invitational Young Physicists Tournament (USIYPT) is a team-based research and debate competition for U.S. high school students, modeled after the International Young Physicists’ Tournament (IYPT). Participating schools work on a set of open-ended physics problems over several months, conducting original experiments, developing theoretical models, and preparing detailed reports and presentations. Teams (typically 3–6 students) present their solutions in structured "physics fights" where they defend their work, critique other teams’ solutions, and respond to questions from opponents and judges. The tournament emphasizes deep conceptual understanding, experimental design, scientific communication, and collaborative problem-solving. It is aimed primarily at high school students with strong interest in physics and research, and offers valuable preparation for college-level science and participation in the international IYPT.