2011 High School / CEGEP Teaching Award Winners
The CAP and its award partners - TRIUMF, Merlan Scientific, Perimeter Institute, BC Innovation Council (for BC region), Nelson Education, Vernier, and the Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC - are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2011 CAP High School/CEGEP Teaching Award Winners. Recipients will be presented with their awards at either their school or the CAP Congress, as coordinated with the recipient and school.
HS-BC-YK
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Peter Vogel , Notre Dame Regional Secondary School (Vancouver, BC) ,
in recognition of his mastery at helping students relate the abstract concepts of physics to the world around them. Described by colleagues as a pontifex -- or bridge-builder -- Peter Vogel is a master at connecting the concepts of theoretical physics with the everyday world. For more than 3 decades he has organized a contest in which student must apply their knowledge of physics to build a bridge made of 100 grams of balsa wood that will withstand a maximal load. The current record is an astonishing 219.5 kg, held by Grade 12 student Gino Circo. Adding to this his contributions to provincial examination committees, editing of a physics newsletter, and presentations at numerous conferences on science education, the CAP is delighted to recognize Peter with this award.
"Thank you for an amazing opportunity. I anticipate using some of the CAP award to enhance our 30+ year-old annual Physics Balsa Bridge Building Contest and its associated web presence (www.balsabridge.com). Just prior to starting my career, a professor instrumental in the development of TRIUMF took his class deep inside that facility just before it was commissioned and went into full operation. To now receive a national award sponsored in part by that same organization brings my physics teaching full circle." view the press release
HS-Prairies-NWT
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Patricia D Mitchler , Kelvin High School (Winnipeg, MB) ,
in recognition of her creative abilities in teaching physics that leads to outstanding student performance. With an exceptional understanding of scientific pedagogy, Patricia has created a climate of learning in the classroom that produces student excellence. Putting as much effort into broad classroom instruction as well as personal mentoring, her students continually place in the provincial top ten in the CAP physics high school prize exam year after year. She is a truly gifted educator, and we are most happy to honour her achievements.
"I am honoured to receive this teaching award for doing something that I love to do so much and I am thrilled to finally have the funds to purchase some long-coveted technology for my classroom! I accept this award on behalf of all my colleagues who work tirelessly to promote student learning." view the press release
HS-ON
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Glenn Wagner , Centre Wellington DHS (Centre Wellington, ON) ,
in recognition of his skill at using differentiated teaching methods to significantly improve student performance. Glenn has established himself as a teacher that draws students into physics. A master at differentiated instruction, Glenn incorporates a broad range of teaching strategies such as peer instruction, interdependent group work, concept mapping, and problem-based learning methods in his classroom. With a track record of turning poor student performance into strong student accomplishment, Glenn has also the author of several research papers on Physics teaching. Well done, Glenn!.
"What a wonderful surprise to be chosen as this year's winner of the CAP's HS Physics Teaching Award for Ontario. Winning such an award happens when one can build collaborations with many excellent teachers and researchers in the field of physics education research. To these dedicated professionals I say thank you for helping to make learning physics a fun and authentic experience for our students." view the press release
HS-Atlantic
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Ian Fogarty , Riverview High School (Riverview, NB) ,
in recognition of his novel work in using technology to advance learning in physics. Ian is one of Canada's most innovative high school physics teachers. He is at the forefront of integrating technology and experiential learning. From getting students to employ stop-frame analysis of action movies to figure out whether or not the scenes could actually occur, to racing remote-controlled vehicles to understand acceleration, wind resistance, and centre-of-gravity, Ian Fogarty continually seeks new ways to engage a broader range of students. The CAP is proud to recognize Ian for his outstanding contributions.
"There are so many great teachers of physics, I feel quite honored and privileged to be in their company. I stand on the shoulders of giants. The students who come to me are ready to learn and this is a credit to the hard work from all their previous teachers, coaches and families. I get to explore new pedagogies, labs and activities because I have great kids at a great school in a great district." view the press release
HS-QC-NU
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Simon Langlois , Cégep Marie-Victorin (Montréal, QC) ,
in recognition of his initiatives in scientific outreach at the high school level within Canada and beyond. In addition to being receiving the highest level of student evaluations possible in CEGEP Marie-Victorin, Simon is one of Canada's leading innovators in the student of scientific pedagogy and popularization. He has developed new programs in science education and popularization, and has made important contributions in understanding the relationship between student autonomy and development of laboratory skills. He has founded a scientific outreach centre in Burkina-Faso that will involve students teaching physics concepts in remote areas of Africa. The CAP is pleased to honour Simon for his contributions to scientific outreach and pedagogy.
"I am very grateful and honoured to receive this award of excellence from an institution as prestigious as the CAP. This recognition will certainly spur my motivation to design new teaching tools for my classroom." view the press release
