Faculty of Science Teaching and Learning Innovation Award
The Faculty of Science Teaching and Learning Innovation Award recognizes and celebrates faculty members and instructors who demonstrate exceptional innovation in their teaching or learning practices at the undergraduate or graduate level. The award may be granted for achievements in specific courses or academic initiatives outside of a course, within the past two years.
In 2024, Dr. Jacob Burgess, assistant professor in the department of physics and astronomy received the Faculty of Science Teaching and Learning Innovation Award. Burgress’ research and teaching interests are scanning tunnelling microscopy, THz light and ultrafast magnetic and electronic dynamics.
Education in physics focuses on adaptable problem-solving skills and cultivating an innate curiosity about how things work. Traditional education in first and second-year physics tends to centre on lectures, homework problems, and well-defined lab activities. This leaves a gap in developing hands-on problem-solving skills that are critical to experimental work. Science 2002 is a problem-solving-focused experimental course that aims to fill this gap. It is a great honour to have received this award and I am excited to see the impact of this teaching approach grow in the future. – Jacob Burgess, assistant professor in the department of physics and astronomy