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PRESS RELEASE / FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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PRESS RELEASE / FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
is awarded to
"I am surprised, flattered, thrilled and somewhat guilty (I have a 50% teaching load) to receive this award which speaks to the apparent success of demonstration-based lecturing to large classes." winner quote
The Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP) is pleased to announce that the 2009 CAP Medal for Excellence in Teaching Undergraduate Physics is awarded to Jeff Dahn, Dalhousie University, in recognition of for his exceptional dedication to superior undergraduate physics teaching, his ability to motivate students to study physics by bringing the concepts to life in his classes, and his mentorship of students engaging in research at all levels. announcement
In addition to being an active researcher and pioneer in the development of Lithium-ion batteries with strong industrial ties, Dr. Dahn, Professor in Physics and Chemistry at Dalhousie University, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, holder of the NSERC/3M Canada Inc. Industrial Chair and a Canadian Research Chair, is the best teacher the Department has seen in many decades.
Numerous teaching evaluations and letters from students to the university dating back to his arrival at Dalhousie in 1996, support this fact. His past students make it clear that having beenin Dr. Dahn's class is a memorable experience full of anecdotes and above all a learning experience they do not forget. His enthusiastic, dynamic, direct, no-nonsense approach to teaching and his ability to engage the students makes a lasting impact and contribute in ensuring that his lectures are outstanding. Characteristic of his lectures are his playful demonstrations, many original, that illustrate basic principles in a dramatic way. His ability to present these lecture demonstrations in such a way that students participate, interact and understand why the demonstration is relevant to their lives, further enhances their learning and encourages independent thinking. His large first-year classes are not only full, but stay full throughout the semester. The students look forward to his lectures. His enthusiasm for Physics and its applications is contagious and many students who decided to go further in Physics point to his class as being pivotal in their decision.
In addition to his excellent classes, his commitment to the learning process also extends to the lab and tutorial component of 1st year classes. He has provided many ideas for these labs. When he arrived at Dalhousie University, he introduced the Computer Assisted Physics Assignments (CAPA) tutorial system, now accepted in many universities.
He obtained the Simon Fraser University Excellence in Teaching Award in 1994, and he received the Dalhousie University Faculty of Science Teaching Awards in 2004, both of which recognized his exceptional teaching ability. nominator citation
Jeff Dahn will receive the 2009 CAP Medal for Excellence in Teaching Undergraduate Physics during the CAP's awards banquet to be held at the Université de Moncton in Moncton, New Brunswick, on June 9th, 2009.
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