Middle School Physics Research Club

Wait. How can that happen?

Start with these demonstrations. What surprises you? Which one makes you want to find out more?
These are the kinds of questions we explore together.

Demonstrations by Fenix Science Club, exploring IYPT problems from different years, not footage from our club. We explore questions like these a small part at a time, with guidance. These clips are examples to discuss, not instructions for experiments at home.

How would you explain it?

We take questions like the ones above and discuss how to investigate them. What might explain what we see? How could we test that explanation? What would we change or measure? A 90-minute meeting gives students time to explore a problem, working in small groups and comparing ideas together.

1. Watch something surprising. Look closely, ask questions, and make a guess about what is happening.
2. Plan a test. Discuss how to distinguish between explanations. What would you measure, what would you keep the same, and what result would challenge your idea?
3. Talk it through. Share what you think, hear another explanation, and see what earlier investigations found. Changing your mind is part of the fun.

Meetings focus on discussion and planning, rather than carrying out experiments. Between meetings, students can pursue suitable experiments at home, with a parent or guardian’s help where needed. Bring observations, results, or a new explanation next time: together we’ll question the evidence and decide what to investigate next. Each meeting gives the next one something to build on.

Sometimes we turn the discussion into a friendly “physics fight”: one student explains, others ask questions, and everyone helps make the explanation better. It’s about understanding, not being the fastest to answer.

First steps into a wider world of physics.

Our questions come from past International Young Physicists’ Tournaments (IYPT). At this international school-student event, teams explore physics problems and discuss their findings with one another. The club borrows that spirit of curiosity and exchange.

IYPT began in 1988. Recent hosts include Switzerland in 2026, Sweden in 2025, and Hungary in 2024. Take a look at the atmosphere, not a standard you need to meet before joining.

First Step into the World of Real Science

A convincing explanation takes more than a quick answer. Students learn to put ideas into words, ask what evidence would support them, and consider a different explanation. The aim is to make physics more meaningful, both in the club and in school.

For students in grades 6–8, the club is an introduction to the Physics Lyceum and a chance to discover an interest in research alongside curious peers. No prior physics course or competition experience is needed.

Meet your club leader

Dr. Sergey Samsonau is a physicist with 25 years in the field and over 15 years of teaching experience, from middle school to university. His positions have included adjunct professor at NYU Tandon School of Engineering and CUNY, and faculty at Princeton International School of Mathematics and Science (PRISMS).

He has co-led high-school preparation for the International Young Physicists’ Tournament and now co-leads the ARP university-level IPT team. The club brings that experience to students discovering research for the first time: learning to ask a productive question, challenge an explanation, and decide how to test it. Read more

Join the waitlist

We’re gathering interest for the club. To join the waitlist, email us with your child’s grade (6, 7, or 8) and whether you prefer Princeton or online. We’ll email the waitlist when session dates are announced.