Physics group honors Kevin Lee for teaching excellence, innovation

Kevin Lee
Kevin Lee

The American Association of Physics Teachers has selected Kevin Lee, research associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, as the recipient of the 2012 David Halliday and Robert Resnick Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Physics Teaching.

The association said Lee has elevated the teaching and learning of astronomy and physics at the college, state, national and international levels. It called his efforts remarkable and innovative.

Among other accomplishments, Lee developed several instructional strategies and tools designed to enhance learning. Two of his most influential works include the Nebraska Astronomy Applet Project, which provides online laboratories targeting the undergraduate introductory astronomy audience; and ClassAction, a tool that quizzes students during a lecture and uses a clicker system for them to vote on the best answer. ClassAction encourages interactivity in large-lecture astronomy classrooms and helps instructors gauge how well the class understands course material. Lee makes both tools available at http://astro.unl.edu.

Founded in 1930, the American Association of Physics Teachers has an international membership of physics educators, physicists, and industrial scientists -- with more than 10,000 members worldwide.

Lee will accept his award and deliver a lecture during the association's meeting this summer in Philadelphia.