Astrophysics and Neuroscience Opportunities
Your curated selection of student work on science.
Issue #2
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The First Ever Online Astrophysics and Astronomy Olympiad
The Online Astrophysics and Astronomy Olympiad (OAAO) had its inaugural competition in early April. Astronomy enthusiasts may be inclined to try this year’s individual and team round problems.
The OAAO clearly parallels, at least in nomenclature, the Online Physics Olympiad (OPHO). With 174 distinct registrations for the contest, OAAO is well on its way to establishing itself as a major astronomy competition for high schoolers just as OPHO is a staple competition within the physics community. OAAO has further been endorsed by major contests such as the Physics Olympiad and the Astrophysics Olympiad.
Astronomy has always been considered a field with a high barrier of entry, and few schools have historically taught astrophysics as part of a required curriculum. Therefore, the onus to, as the OAAO’s mission statement aptly states, “[proliferate] passion in astronomy and astrophysics” has fallen on extracurricular activities like the OAAO competition.
One major success of the OAAO is its accessibility. It is completely free to compete, the competition takes place virtually, and no school affiliation is necessary. The model of the competition inherently strives to reduce educational inequality.
While the success of the first OAAO is remarkable, students have made two notable critiques…
Top 5 Neuroscience Journals for High School Students to Publish Their Research
If you are interested in neuroscience research or have already come up with a research project and don’t know where to publish it, then you should consider reading this post for places to publish your research. Publishing your work looks great on your resume and adds credibility to the amazing work that you’ve done.
1. National High School Journal of Science (NHSJS)
Description: NHSJS is a free, student-run, and peer-reviewed journal designed for high school students. Their Scientist Advisory Board will provide valuable feedback if your research makes it to the peer review stage. Submission types include original research, short articles, reviews of books, films, and exhibitions.
Cost: Free
Deadline: Throughout the year
2. International Youth Neuroscience Association Journal (IYNA)
Description: IYNA Journal is also run by high school students and undergraduate college students. It is not a peer-reviewed journal.
Cost: Free
Deadline: Throughout the year
Read more about the top five neuroscience journals for high schoolers.
The Dark Forest Hypothesis: Aliens are Either Quiet or Dead
Science fiction writer Liu Cixin has cemented himself in science fiction history with his modern classic, the Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy. The first book, The Three Body Problem, was recently adapted into a Netflix show by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, the creators of Game of Thrones.
The second book, The Dark Forest, revolves around the greatest secret of the alien invaders. This secret, now named the dark forest hypothesis after Cixin’s book, is the concept that there are two types of civilizations: quiet ones and dead ones.
The loud ones, calling out to the cosmos? The dark forest hypothesis claims that these worlds will ultimately be destroyed by a technologically superior civilization. It’s the principle that the Universe is fundamentally hostile. Destroy or be destroyed.
Consider where humanity fits into this picture. We are shouting at the universe with radio waves. The dark forest hypothesis would have chilling implications for us.
Why does the dark forest hypothesis exist?
The hypothesis stems from our apparent isolation in the universe. Ages ago, our uniqueness in the universe was understood. After all, everything revolves around the Earth! Well, turns out: the geocentric model is wrong. The Earth revolves around the Sun. Oh, and by the way, the Sun isn’t an outlier among the two sextillion stars within the observable Universe. And the universe, on a large scale, is isotropic and homogeneous. So we’re extra not special.
In cosmology, this is known as the Copernican principle. Humans on Earth are not privileged observers. There is no reason we should be the only form of intelligent life in the universe. With so many stars and so many Earth-like planets—not to mention other potential habitats for life—we stumble upon a paradox. The Fermi paradox: where is everybody?
Read more about the dark forest hypothesis.
Next Week’s Issue
We’ll be recapping two of our upcoming blog posts: From Discovery to Drugs: Where Drug Discovery Goes Wrong and Six Astrophysics Competitions for High School Students.
Stay tuned, and stay curious.
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