ICPE Medal
Click on the Medal for a larger image.
In 1979 George Marx, a very famous 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 first award of the medal was made in 1980
to Professor Eric M. Rogers, the awarding ceremony taking place during the
Trieste Conference on Education for Physics Teaching.
The short form for one of the two latest awardees, Professor Lillian McDermott
(USA) reads as follows:
“The Medal of the International Commission on Physics
Education of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics was established
in 1979 for the purpose of recognizing contributions to international physics
education which are „major in scope and impact and which have extended over a
considerable period of time”. At its meeting in Lund in August 2002 the
International Commission on Physics Education awarded its medal for excellence
to Lillian Christie McDermott.
Professor Lillian Christie McDermott is honoured this way for her continuing
leadership in physics education research on three fronts: for her research on
understanding student difficulties in learning physics, for her development of
research-based inquiry curricula, and for her tireless efforts to further the
acceptance and understanding of physics education research within the community
of physicists and throughout the world”.
To get an impression of the shape of the ICPE medal, please
look at the figure at the end of this article. The medal has been shaped 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
have been afraid of it, but than man kind is 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 within the last 23 years reads like an “WHO IS WHO” of physics education.
Return to list of ICPE Medalists
-Prepared by Juergen Sahm