Millfield student to captain Italian National Team at 2026 International Young Physicists’ Tournament

Lower Sixth Millfield student Pierluigi Trani has been selected to represent Italy at the 2026 International Young Physicists’ Tournament (IYPT).

Pierluigi, who is originally from Italy, is currently studying A Levels in Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry. This will be the second year he has been chosen to captain his country in the prestigious international competition. Last year, he also served as captain of the Italian team when the tournament was hosted in Sweden. The week-long tournament brings together some of the brightest young physicists from around the world, and will be held this summer in Zurich, Switzerland.

Selection for the Italian team is overseen by a national physics association, which invites students from across the country to apply. Candidates are required to solve complex open ended experimental physics problems set by the international organisers and deliver detailed presentations of their findings. The 10 strongest presenters are shortlisted for interviews, after which five students are selected to form the national team.

The competition involves ‘physics fights’, in which teams debate their solutions to challenging problems. Participants take on rotating roles as presenters, opponents, and reviewers, critically analysing and defending scientific arguments.

Reflecting on his achievement, Pierluigi said “I have always been fascinated by problem-solving, and I hope to study aerospace engineering in the future. I was particularly drawn to aerospace-based problems at first, but being part of the team has encouraged me to broaden my knowledge and tackle a wider range of challenges.”

Although Italy is only entering its third year of participation in the competition, the young team achieved an ‘Honourable Mention’ last year, finishing 23rd overall. With eligibility to compete again next year, Pierluigi is looking forward to continuing to build on that progress.

He credits the school’s strong emphasis on experimental work as invaluable preparation for the competition. “Because the tournament is so experiment-based, having hands on experience has been incredibly useful” he said. He also expressed gratitude for the support of his teachers “I’m getting lots of help from Mr Bonney and Mr Weldon (Product Design teachers), they have helped me build apparatuses so I can use them alongside the instruments that we have in the physics department, where Mr Davies helps me get the required experimental results. Last year I worked mostly independently, which was both challenging and expensive. After joining Millfield this year, the support has made a real difference.”

Beyond his academic achievements, Pierluigi is also an active member of the school and wider community. He serves as president of a student-led volunteering club, focused on supporting the local community in Street and Glastonbury. Pierluigi now hopes to complete his A levels and study aerospace engineering at university in the future.