ICPE Medal
Click on the Medal for a larger image.
In 1979 George Marx, a Hungarian
researcher in the field of physics education, proposed to institute a medal to
recognise “outstanding contributions to physics teaching of a kind that
transcends national boundaries”. The ICPE medal recipient should have fulfilled two criteria.
The first award of the medal was made in 1980
to Professor Eric M. Roger. The awarding ceremony took place during the
Trieste Conference on Education for Physics Teaching.
To get an impression of the shape of the ICPE medal, please
look at the figure at the top of this page. The medal was designed by the
Hungarian artist Miklós Borsos. The face shows a symbolic picture: the
interaction of human beings with forces of nature. You will recognise the four
elements of the ancient Greek philosophers – earth, water, air and fire, the
last one being symbolised by powerful rays of sunlight. People at the beginning
were afraid of it, but then man kind has been enlightened by the light of wisdom.
The rear of the medal bears the text:
“Awarded to N.N. by the International Commission on Physics
Education of IUPAP for long and distinguished service to physics education”.
The list of awardees since 1979 reads like an “WHO IS WHO” of physics education.
Return to list of ICPE Medalists
-Prepared by Juergen Sahm