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Conference Flyer 2012

Science Prize for Inquiry-Based Instruction

Science on Stage Canada

This important event is being held at Appleby College this year from 23 - 26 March 2012
Visit their web site for full details.It is a festival for exemplary teachers from all over Canada. One of the things this initiative provides is a different kind of professional development where networking between innovative teachers is key. This festival is different because each participant brings something with them to share that has been successful in their practice. Consider a science fair for science teachers. To register and send in your proposal, please visit http://www.scienceonstage.ca/OnlineForm.html . OAPT member Anjuli Ahooja is playing a major role in the orgaization of this national conference. Download the poster.

President's Update

Video Trailer for the Sudbury OAPT Workshop by Robert Prior.

NB: The movie is 200 MB, and takes 2.5 minutes to download and start playing.

Congratulations to these members of the Canadian Physics Olympiad Team

Sepehr Ebadi - silver medal
Chao Wang - silver medal
Chi Hua Yang - bronze medal
Eric Zhan - honorable mention

Congratulations to John Atherton who received the
Premier's Award of Excellence in Leadership.

John Atherton is an innovative, stimulating and visionary educator. He has a reputation as an outstanding mentor who inspires and drives teachers and students to be their best and to love and share their learning. During his time as an instructional leader at the Toronto District School Board, he established the GTA Physics Teachers' Alliance. In 2007, John launched the “Eureka Conference” which was attended by 600 classroom teachers – an event described by many science teachers as the most useful professional development event they ever attended.

Appleby Students return from Synchrotron

5 very bright students participated in the "Students on the Beamlines" at the Canadian Light Source (synchrotron facility) in Saskatoon. They analysed the effects of ZnO nanoparticles on cyanobacteria with the synchrotron scientists! It was sponsored by CLS/NSERC. Incredible experience. I plan to present it at STAO. If anyone is interested in learning about this experience or wishes to pursue it, please contact Anjuli Ahooja. It would be great if more teachers are able to take advantage of this amazing opportunity. The training for teachers program is on October, 2011 (which might also get sponsored). You can see some pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/clsresoff/5769413962/in/set-72157626694429269/

Glen Wagner and Patricia Mitchler win National Awards

The 2011 CAP Award for Excellence in Teaching High School/CEGEP Physics - Ontario will be awarded to Mr. Glenn Wagner, Centre Wellington DHS (Centre Wellington, ON), 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!

The Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP) is pleased to announce that the 2011 CAP Award for Excellence in Teaching High School/CEGEP Physics - Prairies and Northwest Territories is awarded to Dr. Patricia D Mitchler, Kelvin High School (Winnipeg, MB), 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.

Diana Hall is Teaching in Tanzania

Follow Diana's Blog here.

Joanna O'Meara wins CAP Award

Joanne O'Meara has won the 2011 CAP Medal for Excellence in Teaching Undergraduate Physics. The award recognizes her outstanding and innovative work in the classroom, impressive range of engagement in physics education research, and her broad reaching impact beyond the walls of her own classes, from the primary school level on up to the development of a national university-level physics curriculum.

Physics for the 21st Century. A new and free online physics course from the Annenberg Project

The Newsletters are available on line.

OAPT Conference 2011 was a great success.

Timely Topic of the Month: Turn a vacuum into a superconductor

comPADRE - Physics & Astronomy Digital Resource in Education

This is a major resource for teachers of Physics and Astronomy at all levels.
Take a look.

OAPT Listserve
Discussion Group

The main function of the group is to promote dialogue amongst teachers of physics at all levels from junior science to graduate school. You can post questions, news that would be of interest to the group, or any other suitable messages. Current hot topic: "teaching physics with new curriculum."

To subscribe, send an email message to oapt-subscribe@yahoogroups.ca.

Major Programs

Grade 11 High School Exam written by 3500 students in May.
Conference in May for teachers.
Quarterly Newsletter.

Mission

to advance the teaching of physics in the secondary schools, colleges, and universities of Ontario.
to promote a professional spirit and collegiality among the members of the Association.