Physics and We Summer Camp: a platform for realizing ideas

About 60 participants interested in various fields—including physics, radiophysics, mathematics, mechanics, electrical engineering, and programming—took part in the annual camp. This event was organized collaboratively by the branches of international optics and photonics organizations operating under YSU and the Institute of Physical Research of RA National Academy of Sciences (NAS). The attendees included high school students, as well as students and lecturers from the YSU Institute of Physics. 

The selection of camp participants is a two-stage process: applicants first complete a questionnaire on physics and mathematics, and then proceed to an interview.

Campers work on developing modern devices that, with further refinement, could become practical products. 

This year, within a short timeframe, they independently designed and built a digital spectrometer. This device was used to analyze the composition of various liquids and the concentration of different components in mixtures. 

Tatevik Chalyan, Co-Organizer of the Physics and We Summer Camp, talked about this year's program: "A spectrometer is used to analyze the composition of materials. It is widely used in biophysics, as well as in devices for sorting and assessing the quality of food and beverages, replacing manual labor. The cost of one such equipment starts at around ten million drams, while we tried to develop a device that costs no more than one hundred and fifty thousand drams but still performs competitively with the more expensive models."

Creating the digital spectrometer required participants to apply a broad spectrum of knowledge, spanning from physics to programming.

Shant Sargsyan, a 4th-year undergraduate student at YSU Institute of Physics and President of the YSU branch of the International Organizations of Optics and Photonics, highlighted the camp's significance. He noted that it offers students a valuable chance to see the close ties between industry and science. Shant Sargsyan explained: "Participating in the camp allows students to gain a clear understanding of what scientists do, the broad opportunities science offers, and its importance. This camp is an excellent platform for exploring which scientific and engineering fields resonate most personally, and for finding like-minded friends with the same interests."

Camp participant Syuzanna Makaryan, who was admitted to the Physics Institute of Yerevan State University this year, assured that thanks to the camp, she deepened her professional knowledge, improved her teamwork skills, and allowed her to make new friends.

Physics and We was supported by YSU, the International Organizations of Optics and Photonics (SPIE and Optica), the Institute of Physical Research of RA NAS, the B-PHOT research group at the Free University of Brussels, the Photonics and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at YSU, THORLABS and Advanced Technologies Group companies, and the Armenian Indian Center for Excellence in ICT. Thanks to these sponsors, the camp was entirely free. 

Artur Galstyan, Technical Director of Advanced Technologies Group, talked about the commitment to support the camp and emphasized that advancing scientific engineering in Armenia is crucial. He noted that organizing similar camps and scientific events is a purposeful step in this direction. 

"It’s far more important to advance scientific engineering by creating small yet complex and valuable equipment. I’m pleased to see that we have participants here who can combine theoretical and practical knowledge and are eager and capable of realizing interesting ideas," he pointed out.

It is important to note that the participants had the opportunity to meet the representatives of various industrial organizations in the field of physics and to establish new scientific and educational ties. During the summer camp, specialists presented a series of interesting presentations on physics, data science, photonics, and artificial intelligence, highlighting current challenges and potential solutions.