The National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) is not just a competition; it's a platform that showcases the intellectual prowess of Ghana's young talents. The stakes are high, and the participants are fiercely competitive. However, what happens when a spirited contest sparks a debate over a crucial question? The recent protest from Prempeh College highlights the commitment to fairness within this esteemed academic competition.
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The NSMQ, known for its thrilling preliminary rounds and regional contests, reached a turning point this year when Prempeh College contested a particular answer in their quarterfinals competition against Opoku Ware School, Pope John SHS, and Minor Sem.
The crux of the matter lies in a riddle presented to the students, prompting them to identify a specific scientific principle. This riddle, though seemingly straightforward, led to a fervent discussion. Prempeh College offered "principle of superposition" as their answer, while the Physics consultant suggested "the principle of (linear) superposition."
End of Contest:
— KNUST NEWS FILE (@knustnewsfile) October 19, 2023
Opoku Ware School: 38pts
Pope John SHS & Min.Sem: 36pts
Prempeh College: 36pts#KNUSTNewsFile #NSMQ2023 #NSMQ30 #NSMQSemifinals pic.twitter.com/2yTuBDZAD6
To address this dispute, the NSMQ engaged the input of key stakeholders, including the Physics consultant, Dr. Amos Kuditcher, and the Quiz Mistress, Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann. The consultants assessed the nature of the riddle and the contested answers.
The protest hinged on the assertion that "principle of superposition" and "the principle of (linear) superposition" are synonymous in the realm of higher-level physics. Prempeh College reinforced its argument with references to reputable physics textbooks and university-level teaching materials, establishing that these terms convey the same fundamental concept.
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In response, Dr. Amos Kuditcher offered a detailed explanation that emphasized the relevance of the clues provided in the riddle. His insights indicated that the riddle's clues were specifically crafted to elicit the response "Linear Superposition." Clues provided in the riddle, including examples related to electric fields and scalar potential calculations, directed contestants toward the principle of linear superposition. Dr. Kuditcher further clarified the principles behind nonlinear phenomena in physics.
The Quiz Mistress, Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann, exercised her professional discretion to determine whether the answer provided by the Prempeh College team was sufficiently responsive to merit full marks. In this instance, she opted to retain the more precise original answer key, "the principle of (linear) superposition."
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Despite Prempeh College's protest, it is essential to recognize that the NSMQ has a robust mechanism in place to address disputes and uphold fairness. The competition provides avenues for schools to raise concerns, and when valid, changes are made, and appropriate marks are awarded. This demonstrates the NSMQ's unwavering commitment to impartiality.
The NSMQ has issued a reminder to participating schools that the ability to protest a question or answer is a long-standing practice and should be used to address grievances. The organization emphasizes the importance of maintaining the competition's integrity and reputation. The NSMQ has repeatedly affirmed its impartiality and commitment to fairness, regardless of which school emerges as the victor.
Therefore the results still hold and Achimota School, Opoku Ware School, and Presbyterian Boys' Secondary School will have the final on the 31st of October 2023.
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