The 2012 CAP Award for Excellence in Teaching High School/CEGEP Physics (Ontario)

is awarded to

Olga Michalopoulos

"I am humbled and deeply honoured to receive this national award from CAP for teaching high school physics. I have always been passionate about physics. I have also been fortunate and privileged to work with many outstanding colleagues who have continued to support me and help me grow as an educator. I thank them all. Most importantly, I want to thank my students for continuing to inspire me over the years and allowing me to touch the future" winner quote

The Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP) is pleased to announce that the 2012 CAP Award for Excellence in Teaching High School/CEGEP Physics (Ontario) is awarded to Olga Michalopoulos, Georgetown District High School, in recognition of for her creative approaches in engaging all students in the study of science in general and physics in particular. Her dynamism motivates all students to become involved in science well beyond the classroom, be it in solar car competitions, Grade 11 and Grade 12 physics contests, or a pilot project with the Canadian Space Agency that
allowed students to engage via video conference with the Canadian Space Agency to learn about the
physics and engineering of space flight. Olga is always at the creative edge of pedagogy, and is a genuine motivator of students in physics. announcement

Olga Michalopoulos a Physics teacher who has been with the Halton District School Board since 1980. Olga's unwavering dedication to students and teaching, her commitment to contributing to community and her passion for all things Physics make her a beloved colleague and a popular teacher. Known better as "Mrs Mike," to her students, Olga has lured students into learning Physics by making it fun, showing its relevance, and exposing them to opportunities at the university level. Last year, Olga engaged the whole school in a NASA "Get Fit for Space" competition; the whole school walked to and from the international space station 6 1/2 times. Even the caretakers participated! It is this boundless energy and unabashed enthusiasm for Physics that make her an outstanding choice for the 2010 award. nominator citation

medal description

The Canadian Association of Physicists, founded in 1945, is a professional association representing over 1600 individual physicists and physics students in Canada, the U.S. and overseas, as well as a number of Corporate, Institutional, and Departmental Members. In addition to its learned activities, the CAP also undertakes a number of activities intended to encourage students to pursue a career in physics. cap description

joint description

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For more information, please contact:

Canadian Association of Physicists
Tel: (613) 562-5614
Fax: (613) 562-5615
E-mail: cap@uottawa.ca