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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Neil deGrasse Tyson Recognized with Klopsteg Memorial Award
College Park, Maryland, United States, April 4, 2007
The American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) announced today that the 2007 Klopsteg Memorial Award has been awarded to Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist and Director, Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, New York. Klopsteg awardees are chosen for their extraordinary accomplishments in communicating the excitement of physics to the general public. The Klopsteg awardee presents a lecture on a physics topic of current significance suitable for non-specialists, in memory of Paul Klopsteg, AAPT Past President.
The 2007 Klopsteg Memorial Award will be presented to Dr. Tyson on Monday, July 30, 2007, at 2:00 p.m., during the AAPT Summer Meeting in Greensboro, NC. Following the presentation, Dr. Tyson will then present his Klopsteg Memorial Lecture on “Adventures in Science Illiteracy.”
Ken Heller, Chairman, AAPT Awards Committee, said, “Dr. Tyson’s outstanding accomplishments include communicating the excitement of science, especially cosmology and astrophysics, to scientists and non-scientists alike. Not only is he a missionary for scientific literacy but he practices what he preaches with his books, articles, talks, and television appearances. His works are exemplars of communicating both clear scientific explanations and a passion for science.”
“The work of Neil deGrasse Tyson is at the interface of physics knowledge and public understanding and showcases the imperative of bringing physics to the larger community, an obligation that all physics educators have and an area in which AAPT is becoming more involved,” stated Toufic Hakim, AAPT Executive Officer.
Tyson earned his B.A. in physics from Harvard University in 1980 and his Ph.D. in Astrophysics from Columbia University in 1991. From 1991–1994 he was a post-doctoral research associate at Princeton University. He is currently an Astrophysicist with the American Museum of Natural History, where he also serves as the Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium.
Tyson's professional research includes star formation, exploding stars, dwarf galaxies, and the structure of the Milky Way.
In 2001, Tyson was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve on a commission that studied the Future of the U.S. Aerospace Industry. In 2004, he was appointed again by President Bush to serve on a commission on the Implementation of the United States Space Exploration Policy.
And in 2006, Michael Griffin, the head of NASA appointed Tyson to serve on his prestigious Advisory Committee.
Tyson is the recipient of eight honorary doctorates and the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal. His contributions to the public appreciation of the cosmos have been recognized by the International Astronomical Union in their official naming of asteroid “13123 Tyson.”
Regarding the award, Tyson stated, “I can think of no higher honor than to have one’s pedagogical efforts recognized by an organization founded on principles of excellence in teaching.”
About the Award
Established in 1990, this award is given to a notable physicist in memory of Paul Klopsteg. The Klopsteg Memorial Award recipient is asked to make a major presentation at an AAPT Summer Meeting on a topic of current significance suitable for non-specialists.
Previous Awardees
2006 Lisa Randall, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA,
2005 Wendy Freedman, Carnegie Observatories, Pasadena, CA
2004 Anton Zeilinger, University of Vienna, Austria
www.aapt.org/Grants/klopsteg.cfm
About AAPT
AAPT is the leading organization for physics educators—with more than 10,000 members worldwide. Our mission is to advance the greater good through physics education. We provide our members with many opportunities for professional development, communication, and student enrichment. We serve the larger community through a variety of programs and publications. AAPT was founded in 1930 and is headquartered in the American Center for Physics in College Park, Maryland.
For More Information
AAPT Summer Meeting Featured Speakers: http://www.aapt.org/Events/SM2007/sm07speakers.cfm
Or Contact Robert Merz, Marketing Manager
media@aapt.org
1-301-209-3307
1-301-209-0845 (Fax)
American Association of Physics Teachers
One Physics Ellipse
College Park, MD 20740-3845
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