Texas A&M Mechanics Scholar Program
The Department of Physics and
Astronomy at Texas A&M
University founded the Mechanics Scholar Program in the
Spring of 2002 to identify and honour the best students in
Physics 206 (Classical Mechanics). The top performers are
identified by an end-of-semester Challenge Exam that is open to all
students in all sections (typically ~750 in the Fall semester, and
~2,000 in the Spring), with a turnout of around 5-10% writing the exam.
It covers the material from the first three exams. While the
difficulty level of the Challenge Exam is above the norm for Physics
206 exams, it is nevertheless meant to be for "fun" and is a way to let
you match your physics (aka problem-solving) skills against the very
best here at A&M. Note that we do not stress memorization; a
formula sheet will be provided
with all of the formulae and conversions you will need.
The top three winners will be presented with the Dr. Phyllis Toback
Award, given a textbook for PHYS 207, and a monetary award for their
accomplishment. As an added incentive, all students who
perform well on the challenge exam will be named a
MacMillan Mechanics Scholar (which includes a
certificate suitable for framing), and will be invited to a catered
luncheon in their honour. In addition to lunch, we will have
presentations by faculty members regarding potential careers for
people with high levels of physics problem solving skills.
The exam is typically held just before (or during) Reading Days, right
before finals.
Past winners of the Challenge Exam:
| Year | Spring | Fall | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Thomas G. Goodwin | you?!? | ||
| 2018 | Faith A. Leskowitz | |||
| 2017 | ||||
| 2016 | Christian Brazell | Daniel Hartman | ||
| 2015 | Chansik Kim | Christian Aycinena | ||
| 2014 | Rohit Nasa | Zachary Magnotti | ||
| 2013 | Xing Zhao | Gabriel R. Siegel | ||
| 2012 | Matthew Krusleski | Andy Kostrzewa | ||
| 2011 | Matthew Barry | Hanyu Li | ||
| 2010 | Rongqiang Chen | Casey Perkins | ||
| 2009 | Drew P. Mitchell | Austin Butts | ||
| 2008 | Blain A. Lawson | Katherine S. Bhora | ||
| 2007 | Peng Cheng | Cory A. Olsovsky | ||
| 2006 | Jason D. Smith | Gleb Zhelezov | ||
| 2005 | Varun Chowdhary | Paul B. Geffert | ||
| 2004 | Ariel D.Z. Chisholm | Christopher N. Barot | ||
| 2003 | David A. Smith | Vernon R. King | ||
| 2002 | Ryan B. Thomas | Heng Guo |
| Read about the winners in | Spring 2013 |
| Fall 2012 | |
| Spring 2012 | |
| Spring 2011 |
Mechanics Scholars
Last modified: November 23 2019