The AIP Physics Education Group

The Physics Education Group (PEG) of the AIP provides a forum for the advancement of physics education through research and practice. It is also responsible for the education stream at the biennial AIP congress.

Terms of Reference
AIP Education Medal
Reports

Terms of Reference

to advise the National AIP Council on educational matters
to be responsible for the Education program at National Congresses
to provide a communication channel by which AIP members in each state, concerned about Physics Education, can communicate with each other, on educational issues
to develop a network of university physics societies to benefit undergraduate and postgraduate students
to encourage State branches to conduct special workshops on science education and in-service training courses for teachers
to have a special concern for the popularisation of science
to be aware of what is happening in Physics Education outside of Australia, and to investigate the possibility of bringing workshop speakers from interstate/overseas
to establish an on-line resource for physics teachers around Australia*
to develop a program of activities and support for teachers of physics in both the secondary and tertiary sectors*
to provide feedback to high school teachers on the strengths and weaknesses of the current curriculum materials*
to ensure that at each Congress there is at least one overseas Physics Education plenary speaker, sponsored by the national AIP
to advise the Congress committee on the names of suitable Physics Education plenary speaker.

AIP Education Medal

Background to the Award
The AIP Prize for a significant contribution to University Physics Education in Australia by an AIP member was proposed as an initiative of the Physics Education Group at the 2000 AIP Congress in Adelaide. Its purpose is to emphasise the importance of University Physics Education in Australia and is awarded each two years at the AIP Congress.
Conditions of the Award.
The prize is awarded every second year to a member of the AIP who is judged to have made the most significant contribution to University Physics Education in Australia.

The prize will be presented to the chosen candidate at the AIP Congress, and will not be awarded in absentia. The recipient will be expected to present a paper at the Congress on some aspect of their work.

Only one prize shall be awarded at each Congress. If the judging panel considers that none of the nominations are of appropriate standard, no award will be made. The prize shall not be awarded more than once to the same person.

The nominations, either from a State Branch or from an individual, together with all supporting materials, will be sent to the Honorary Secretary secretary@aip.org.au.

Supporting materials will include a citation describing the significance of the work, a justification of the nomination and at least three referees.

A judging panel, appointed by the Executive, shall determine the recipient of the prize from the nominations, taking into account the overall quality and significance of the contribution and the creativity exhibited in the contribution. The panel will seek to judge equitably between contributions which focus on 1st year Physics and those focussing on higher years.
Time Line:
Nominations should reach the Honorary Secretary before the AIP Congress:
Deadline for 2008 XVIII AIP Congress is Monday 30th June 2008.

The announcement of the prize winner shall be made at least one month before the Congress.
Previous Winners
2005
Mario Zadnik (Curtin University) see for more ...

Reports of Previous Meetings

Annual Reports

Annual General Meeting Minutes