The Undergraduate Physics Olympics (UPO) was run for the first time in the second semester of the 2005/06 academic year. The aim of the event was to enhance the first year experience by organising teams of freshers to compete for prizes on a set of practical physics challenges. Over the course of an afternoon each team of 4 had to race against the clock to design and build a boat set up and use their own code and demonstrate linear acceleration in the park outside. Communication between students was encouraged by awarding points for bonus questions demonstrating good team spirit as they prepared for their first laboratory sessions together. The event also enabled students to be introduced to the departmental laboratories and to the staff and more senior students in an informal environment at an early stage in the year. A full evaluation of the first event was carried out by a final year project student in order to perfect the format for use during a more appropriate time slot during Freshers’ Week. The second event in September 2006/07 was also well received with many of the previous year’s participants volunteering to help run the event. Statistical and anecdotal evidence both indicate the UPO is an enhancement of the first year experience helping to build peer support groups vital as the first year intake steadily increases.
