AAPT Hands out Awards

The American Association of Physics Teachers has honored four physics instructors for their accomplishments in working with students and the physics education community.

The Klopsteg Memorial Award went to Neil deGrasse Tyson, an astrophysicist and director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. “Dr. Tyson’s outstanding accomplishments include communicating the excitement of science, especially cosmology and astrophysics, to scientists and non-scientists alike,” the nominating committee wrote. “Not only is he a missionary for scientific literacy but he practices what he preaches with his books, articles, talks, and television appearances. His works are exemplars of communicating both clear scientific explanations and a passion for science.” Tyson received his award together with a certificate and a $7500 cash prize during the society’s summer meeting, 31 July–1 August in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he presented his Klopsteg Memorial Lecture, entitled “Adventures in Science Illiteracy.”

David R. Sokoloff, a physics professor at the University of Oregon in Eugene, received the Robert A. Millikan Award. “Professor Sokoloff has been a leader in the movement to redesign lecture demonstrations to make them effective learning experiences,” the nominating committee wrote. “He is very active in promoting active learning and using computers to give students real-time feedback of physical phenomena.” Sokoloff received the Millikan Medal, an award certificate, and a $7500 cash prize at the summer meeting, where he gave the talk “Building a New, More Exciting Mousetrap Is Not Enough.”

Taking home the Excellence in Undergraduate Physics Teaching Award was Steven L. Manly, associate professor in the physics and astronomy department at the University of Rochester. “Professor Manly has made group problem-solving sessions a regular part of the teaching of introductory physics at the University of Rochester to improve student problem-solving skills, introduced group projects to his introductory physics classes to engage students in the process of physics, and improved the preparation and support of teaching assistants in physics,” the awards committee said. “He has been a driving force for sound systemic change in his department and his university.” Manly received his award, a certificate, and a $3000 cash prize during the AAPT meeting, where he presented the award lecture “Experiences in Collaborative Learning at the University of Rochester—It’s All in the Shoes.”

Jan Mader, a physics teacher at Great Falls High School in Great Falls, Montana, won the Excellence in Pre-College Physics Teaching Award. “Jan’s work extends beyond her work with students, and she has been a longtime leading teacher of teachers. Her contributions are profound and are making a serious difference in the readiness of physics teachers in terms of skills, knowledge, and disposition,” said AAPT executive director Toufic Hakim. Mader received her award, a certificate, and a $3000 cash prize at the society’s meeting and presented her lecture “Those Who Can Teach.”