Steven L. Manly Awarded 2007 AAPT Excellence in Undergraduate Physics Teaching

The American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) announced today that the 2007 AAPT Excellence in Undergraduate Physics Teaching Award has been awarded to Dr. Steven L. Manly, Associate Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester, NY. This award is in recognition of contributions to undergraduate physics teaching and awardees are chosen for their extraordinary accomplishments in communicating the excitement of physics to their students.

This prestigious award will be presented to Manly on August 1, 2007, at 11:30 a.m. during the AAPT Summer Meeting at the Joseph S. Koury Center in Greensboro, NC. He will then present the award lecture “Experiences in Collaborative Learning at the University of Rochester—It’s All in the Shoes,” from 11:35 a.m.-11:55 a.m.

Undergraduate physics is the bridge between students’ exposure to physics and their embracing physics as their area of intensive study, and perhaps lifelong immersion. So the role of the undergraduate teacher expands beyond that of a classroom facilitator into that of advisor, role model, mentor, and research partner. The AAPT award in undergraduate physics teaching reflects our commitment to undergraduate education and the effect that a single teacher can have in catalyzing learning.” stated Toufic Hakim, AAPT Executive Officer.

Manly graduated from Pfeiffer College in 1982, earned a PhD in experimental high-energy physics from Columbia University in 1989, was a Yale faculty member from 1990 to 1998 before moving to his current position. His research interests are high energy, nuclear, and gravitational physics, with a focus on the nature of matter and the fundamental forces of nature.

Manly has published more than 150 articles in scientific journals. His efforts in the classroom have focused on large introductory physics courses for both physics and non-physics majors. In 2003, he was named NY State Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and was the Mercer Brugler Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of Rochester from 2002 to 2005.

Since arriving at Rochester, Manly has adopted proven group learning techniques to support his courses and then worked with other faculty in order to institutionalize the use of these techniques in the introductory physics curriculum. Beyond that, he created a taskforce of innovative faculty members in physics and other departments to support and institutionalize the use of group learning techniques throughout the College, particularly in the sciences.Regarding the award, Manly said, “The physics community, embodied by the AAPT, is populated with many talented and innovative teachers who are quite engaged with all aspects of physics education. I view this award springing from such a community.”

About AAPT

AAPT is the leading organization for physics educators—with more than 10,000 members worldwide. Our mission is to advance the greater good through physics education. We provide our members with many opportunities for professional development, communication, and student enrichment. We serve the larger community through a variety of programs and publications. AAPT was founded in 1930 and is headquartered in the American Center for Physics in College Park, Maryland.

For More InformationAAPT Summer Meeting Featured Speakers:

http://www.aapt.org/Events/SM2007/sm07speakers.cfmOr Contact Robert Merz, Marketing Managermedia@aapt.org1-301-209-33071-301-209-0845 (Fax)http://www.aapt.org