The CAP Award for Excellence in Teaching High School/CEGEP Physics, which is being introduced in 2010, is intended to recognize excellence in teaching physics in Canadian high schools or CEGEPs and to encourage and promote physics at the high school/CEGEP level in Canada. The award is sponsored by the CAP, TRIUMF, Merlan Scientific, Perimeter Institute, BC Innovation Council, Nelson Education, and Vernier.

The awards honours physics teachers in Canadian high schools or CEGEPs who have a good understanding of their subject and who possess an exceptional ability to communicate their knowledge and understanding in such a way as to motivate their students to high academic achievement in physics. The nominee should have demonstrated the ability to develop innovative teaching methods and/or style and should mentor students in physics, through such activities as the CAP high school prize exam, other prize exams, special tutorials, etc., as well as mentor new physics teachers. Nominees should have a history of participation in extra-curricular physics-related activities such as the Science Fairs, physics contests, public outreach activities, and the CAP's Art of Physics competition (class category). Evidence relating to the promotion of science, participation in non-physics extra-curricular activities (sports, drama, etc.), and achievements relating to student performance will also be considered but are not weighted as high as the physics-related activities listed here.

Awards will be given annually in each of five regions in Canada: BC/Yukon, Prairies/NWT, Ontario, Quebec/Nunavut, and Atlantic Canada. The award will include an Educational Grant administered by the CAP that can be used for furthering education in physics, such as support for the recipient to attend conferences on teaching or on physics, or to purchase computer software, equipment, or books. Representatives of the CAP will present the recipients with two duplicate certificants (one to be displayed at their school and one for their personal use) at their school.

The inaugural awards will be presented in 2010. The deadline for nominations is February 15, 2010.

Nomination Criteria

• Nominees must be Canadian residents and must have been teaching physics in a Canadian high school and/or CEGEP for a minimum of five (5) years.