Students Compete in the National Physics Competition, Marking the Culmination of the 29th UNY Physics Science Week

Yogyakarta, October 3, 2026 — Enthusiasm for scientific competition and a passion for physics characterized the final round of the 2026 National Physics Competition (NPC), held at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY). As one of the events featured in the 29th Physics Science Week (Pekan Ilmiah Fisika/PIF XXIX), the competition brought together junior and senior secondary school students from various regions across Indonesia to test their abilities, sharpen their reasoning skills, and demonstrate their understanding of physics concepts.

This year's PIF XXIX carried the theme “Integrating Artificial Intelligence into Research to Drive Sustainable Technological Innovation.” In line with this theme, NPC 2026 adopted the theme “Exploring Physics Concepts and Applications to Promote Sustainable Technology.” Both themes highlight the importance of mastering physics as a foundation for scientific advancement and the development of future technologies.

This year, NPC attracted 87 participants, comprising 21 junior secondary school students and 66 senior secondary school students. The competition was conducted in three stages: the preliminary round on September 12, 2026, the semifinal round on September 19, 2026, and the final round on October 3, 2026. The preliminary and semifinal rounds were held online, while the final round took place onsite at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, UNY.

A Competitive Selection Process Leading to the Final Round

The competition began with a preliminary round in which participants demonstrated their understanding of physics through 50 multiple-choice questions on the glacier.uny.ac.id platform. Based on their results, the 20 highest-ranked participants in the senior secondary school category and the 10 highest-ranked participants in the junior secondary school category advanced to the semifinals.

The competition continued in the semifinal round, where participants competed for a place in the final. Only the five best participants from each category qualified for the final round. This multi-stage selection process challenged participants to demonstrate accuracy, answer questions carefully, and apply logical reasoning when solving physics problems.

Testing Physics Knowledge and Reasoning Skills in the Final Round

The final round featured different competition formats for each educational level. Junior secondary school finalists competed in a physics quiz competition that tested their knowledge and quick thinking. Meanwhile, senior secondary school finalists were challenged to analyze case studies involving physical phenomena and present their analyses directly before a panel of judges.

These competition formats tested not only theoretical knowledge but also participants' ability to reason, analyze problems, and communicate scientific ideas effectively. Through these activities, participants gained valuable competitive experience while developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

The event was hosted by Hanif Nur Andriansyah and Diana Amanda Muji Lestari, students from the Department of Physics Education at UNY. Performances by Melodi Fisika also added to the lively atmosphere and encouraged participants throughout the competition.

Following the completion of all final-round activities, participants awaited the announcement of the winners, which took place in the afternoon alongside the announcement of the National Scientific Paper Competition (Lomba Karya Tulis Ilmiah Nasional/LKTI-N) winners.

Meet the Winners of the 2026 National Physics Competition!

After progressing through several rounds of selection and intense competition, the following participants emerged as winners of NPC 2026 in their respective categories.

Junior Secondary School Category

1. First Place: Fakhrie Zabdan Al-Ahzai — SMP Progressive Bumi Shalawat
2. Second Place: Raihan Ataya — SMPN 1 Purworejo
3. Third Place: Salsabila Qurrota Ayun — MTsN 1 Kota Malang
4. Honorable Mention I: Faiza Alya Hidayat — SMPN 1 Purworejo
5. Honorable Mention II: Aisya Khumaira Siddiqa — IIS SMP Progresif Bumi Shalawat

Senior Secondary School Category

1. First Place: Andrean Rizky Ardani — MAN 2 Samarinda
2. Second Place: Ridho Ramadhan Zulfi — MAN 3 Sleman
3. Third Place: Ahmad Fairuz Zaqi Mumtaz — SMA Plus Ar-Rahmat
4. Honorable Mention I: Rizky Ammar Faturrohim — SMA Negeri 6 Cirebon
5. Honorable Mention II: Muhammad Fadhil Alkosim — MAS Al-Ma’arif Singosari

Inspiring the Next Generation to Explore Physics

The successful implementation of NPC 2026 reflects the efforts of HIMAFI UNY to foster young people's interest in physics. Through this competition, students had the opportunity not only to assess their academic abilities but also to develop sportsmanship, confidence, and a commitment to continuous learning and self-improvement.

The conclusion of the NPC 2026 final round marked the end of the National Physics Competition as part of PIF XXIX. The experience gained throughout the competition is expected to inspire participants to pursue further achievements, explore the field of physics, and contribute to the advancement of science and sustainable technology.

Congratulations to all the winners, and sincere appreciation to every participant who took part in the competition. We look forward to welcoming you to the next Physics Science Week!

#HIMAFIUNY #HIMAFI2026 #PENALARAN2026 #PIFXXIX #PhysicsScienceWeek29