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is awarded to
"It is an incredible honour to receive the CAP Award for Excellence in Teaching. I am continually inspired by the tireless dedication of my colleagues, the boundless curiosity of my students, and the endless challenges that this profession provides. I am also deeply grateful to the mentors and educators who shaped my own journey, and to the vibrant public education system that continues to support me." winner quote
The Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP) is pleased to announce that the 2024 CAP Award for Excellence in Teaching High School/CEGEP Physics (British Columbia and Yukon) is awarded to Matt Trask, Rockridge, in recognition of his passion and dedication to teaching physics, particularly his embedded use of technology and the development of a STEM program in which students grow their understanding, competence, and autonomy. Matt’s classroom approach of learning with students is revered by students and colleagues alike. Additionally, his leadership in fair and competency-based assessment practices make him a deserving recipient of this award. announcement
When visiting Mr. Trask's STEM classroom, you would be struck by three distinct things:
First, Matt is consistently able to meet students exactly where they are at in their learning. This combined with his fearlessness in approaching lessons and skills allows for a truly differentiated learning experience that is tailored to the needs of each individual learner in his classroom.
Secondly, Matt has an innate ability to inspire and foster creativity in his students. Learners in Matt’s class are clearly intrinsically motivated to achieve goals that were laid out before them. I have never heard a student in his class ask, “why are we learning this?” or “how does this relate to the real world?”. The answer to both of these questions is always clear and obvious to his learners. While students are given clear instructions and requirements for each task, they are also given the freedom to explore labs/projects/builds in their own unique way. This approach nurtures the creative abilities of his students and combined with Matt’s consistent reinforcement of the design cycle and an iterative approach to answer questions, provides the students with a framework to tackle any future problems in post-secondary and beyond.
Lastly, Matt’s classes embody what learning should sound like. Sure, there is the banging of hammers and the buzzing of the 3D printers, but beyond the tools and machines, you can hear the sound of collaboration, enthusiasm of ideas, and the excitement to learn. Matt’s classrooms buzz with an excitement that signals deep learning is taking place. nominator citation
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