Resources

1. Research programs for aspiring high school students

  • Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS): Beginning in 1942 as the Westinghouse Science Talent Search, Regeneron STS promotes the most promising young STEM scientists in US. The program expects students to perform research in critically important scientific fields and submit original research results.

  • Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF): World’s largest international pre-college science competition. Students start with projects in local or regional science fairs, and advance to the international stage after being selected. Finalists compete in a variety of engineering and science disciplines, including robotics, biomedical engineering, environmental science, and computer science.

2. College engineering, science, and math courses

  • Openstax, a nonprofit initiative of Rice University, provides free electronic books and other resources for engineering, science, and math topics, including Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Calculus, etc.. If you are self-studying or want to read a textbook, make sure you check the website of Openstax. (Website: https://openstax.org/)

  • College Board contains the most up-to-date information regarding AP courses and AP exams. The curriculum of AP courses may change over time, so make sure you check the College Board website for the most accurate information. College Board also provides AP questions from previous years for students to practice, so make sure you work on those questions before your AP exams. (Website: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/courses)

  • For simulations or experiments related to AP Physics, Chemistry, Calculus, you can visit PHET, an interactive simulation website, created by University of Colorado Boulder. The website contains a variety of simulations and experiments that help students to learn the concepts better. (Website: https://phet.colorado.edu/)

3. F=ma

  • AAPT, American Association of Physics Teachers, has the most up-to-date information about F=ma competition. In addition to the details of the competition, past tests with solutions are available on their website for you to practice. (Website: https://aapt.org/physicsteam/2025/registration.cfm)

  • There are no official teaching materials for F=ma specifically. However, many successful students find the Physics textbook by Halliday, Resnick, and Krane very helpful. Others may benefit from the questions in David J. Morin’s book (Problems and Solutions in Introductory Mechanics).

  • If you have completed F=ma competition, and want to do well in USAPhO, Dr. Kevin Zhou has handouts for USAPhO preparation (https://knzhou.github.io/).