Competition coaching · Vancouver, BC
UBC Physics Olympics coaching and science competition preparation
Ms. Erfan offers UBC Physics Olympics coaching from first-hand experience: she has taken her students to compete at UBC every year and has organized and taken part in provincial science competitions. In one-on-one sessions, students build the problem-solving, estimation and hands-on skills that competitions reward.
- Brings students to the UBC Physics Olympics every year
- Provincial science competitions
- Hands-on learning
- Online or in person
Who competition coaching is for
Competition coaching suits curious high school students who enjoy a challenge, whether they’re already on a school Physics Olympics team, hoping to join one, or preparing for a provincial science competition.
Competitions reward a different kind of thinking than unit tests. Students meet problems they’ve never seen, often with limited time and materials, and have to decide what matters, estimate sensibly and test their ideas. Those skills can be taught and practised, and they make Physics 11 and 12 easier too.
Ms. Erfan has taken her students to the UBC Physics Olympics every year and has organized and taken part in provincial science competitions. She also has extensive experience with outdoor school and hands-on learning, so coaching is practical and engaging, not just worksheets.
What we cover
What competition coaching covers
The UBC Physics Olympics is an annual competition at UBC for high school teams from across BC, run by UBC’s Department of Physics and Astronomy with the Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy. Coaching focuses on the skills behind events like these:
Thinking like a physicist
- Breaking an unfamiliar problem into steps
- Estimation and reasonable assumptions
- Applying physics ideas to new situations
- Checking answers with units and common sense
Hands-on and design skills
- Planning and testing a design
- Measuring carefully and recording data
- Learning from a failed test and improving
- Explaining ideas clearly
Competition readiness
- Working calmly under time pressure
- Teamwork and dividing tasks
- Practice problems at competition level
- Preparation for provincial science competitions
Teaching approach
How coaching works
- 1
Strong foundations
Competition questions go beyond the textbook, so coaching starts by making core physics ideas rock solid.
- 2
Hands-on practice
Drawing on extensive outdoor school and hands-on teaching, students learn by building, testing and measuring.
- 3
Critical thinking
Students practise reasoning through problems they’ve never seen, which is the heart of every competition.
- 4
Confidence
Regular practice with challenging problems means competition day feels exciting, not frightening.
Your tutor
Why work with Ms. Erfan
- Has led her students at the UBC Physics Olympics every year
- Has organized and participated in provincial science competitions
- Extensive experience with outdoor school and hands-on learning
- Has taught Physics 11 and 12, Mathematics 12 and Calculus 12
How lessons work
- Free 15-minute video consultation to start
- 60-minute one-on-one lessons online
- Or in person at a library or café near you
- A short report to parents after every lesson
Areas served in person: Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, New Westminster, Coquitlam / Port Moody, Surrey / Delta. Online lessons are available anywhere in BC.
Tutoring sessions are scheduled based on the availability of both the student and the tutor. Flexible scheduling can be arranged to accommodate individual needs. Students may cancel or reschedule a tutoring session with at least 24 hours’ notice. Hourly rates will be announced soon. Each tutoring session is 60 minutes.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Who competes in the UBC Physics Olympics?
High school students compete in teams, usually registered through their school with a teacher or coach. Coaching helps individual students prepare and build skills for their team.
When is the UBC Physics Olympics?
It’s held every year at UBC, usually in late winter. Starting preparation a few months ahead gives students time to build skills.
Is competition coaching only for top students?
No. Curious students who enjoy a challenge benefit too. The same skills also help in Physics 11 and 12.
Do you help with other science competitions?
Yes. Ms. Erfan has organized and taken part in provincial science competitions and can help students prepare for them.
More answers on our FAQ page, or see all subjects by grade.
Also with Ms. Erfan
Start with a free 15-minute consultation
Tell us about your child, and Ms. Erfan will set up a short video call to talk about how she can help.