https://www.aps.org/programs/honors/prizes/education.cfm

 

Venue:

https://www.aps.org/meetings/april/index.cfm APS April Meeting 2020, April 18-21 • Washington, DC, Washington Marriott Wardman Park

Letter

 

September 27, 2019

Loo Kang Lawrence Wee

Ministry of Education

Educational Technology Division

1 North Buona Vista Drive

Singapore 138675

Dear Dr. Wee,

On behalf of the American Physical Society, it is my pleasure to inform you, and the Open Source Physics Team have been awarded the 2020 Excellence in Physics Education Award. The award recognizes a team or group of individuals (such as a collaboration) or, exceptionally, a single individual, who have exhibited a sustained commitment to excellence in physics education. The citation that will appear on your award certificate is: "For sustained commitment to computational physics education through creating and disseminating programming environments, books, software, simulations, and other tools to support computational thinking, and for research establishing the value of these tools and best practices for their use."

You will receive more information from Cortney Bougher, Director of Membership, about the award and recognition ceremony at an upcoming APS meeting. Congratulations on this well-deserved award.

Sincerely,

 

David Gross, APS President

Cc: Andrew Gavrin, Nominator

Paula Heron, Chair, Excellence in Physics Education Award Selection Committee

Laurie McNeil, Chair, Forum on Education

Charles Henderson, Secretary/Treasurer, Forum on Education

 

Facebook post

Great news! I have been awarded this prestigious #award in USA as one of the 18 members team of #opensourcephysics for our contribution to #physics #education.

Wow! What a way to start the weekend.

Thanks to professor Francisco Esquembre and Félix J. García Clemente for creating the Easy JavaScript simulation tool and Doug Brown for Tracker video modeling that I use.

I also thank all the other professors in tag for I have remix their source codes for the Singapore curriculum.

 

Open Source Physics team for the APS Excellence in Physics Education Award.

 

 

Could you please send me the following?

 

 

CV biographical sketch for the nomination

https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQroQcn9IjopeslhiWp_O0mhKqlhEhA5w7l8VsjdyQ_6re5Rf1dRay1OI3Sqp31D28MxI6g851OiIVT/pub

 

 

Ministry of Education, Singapore Educational Technology Division Singapore

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Phone: +6568976526 Mobile: +6592475573 Website: http://weelookang.blogspot.sg/ https://sg.iwant2study.org/ospsg/

Loo Kang Lawrence Wee

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Loo_Kang_Wee

 

 

Lawrence graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) from the University of Singapore and obtained his Masters in Instructional Design and Technology from the National Institute of Education (NIE), Nanyang Technological University (NTU). He believes in developing Open Educational Resources (OER) where anyone around the world with the ability and the motivation could get the skills that they need to make a better life for themselves, their families and their communities.

 

Lawrence’s interest lies in OER because the public, any teachers and students will be able to access and adapt these resources freely with little restrictions, such as licensing OER's materials under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0). Working with communities of local teachers and professors from Spain, USA and Taiwan, he co-develop Open Source Physics simulations and Tracker video analysis and modelling resources and instructional strategies to motivate and engage students.

 

Lawrence has been awarded Ministry of Education 'MOE Outstanding Innovator Award' in 2013, the ‘Singapore Public Service PS21 Distinguished Star Service Award PSSSA’ in 2014, the ‘UNESCO King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize for the Use of ICTs in Education, Pedagogical Innovation in the Use of ICT in Teaching and Learning’ in 2015 and 'National Day Awards Commendation Medal' in 2018.

He also led and support Professional Learning Community of teachers and MOEHQ officers to develop innovative technology solutions and curriculum that led them to clinch the MOE Innergy (Gold) Awards in 2012( ETD Gravity-Physics by Inquiry) , 2016 (Open Source Physics at Singapore) and 2017 (Innovative DC Motor Demonstration Kit Set).

 

Education

Jan 2005 – Jun 2007	National Institute of Education (NIE), Singapore Master of Arts, Instructional Design and Educational Technology Singapore, Singapore
Jun 1999 – Jun 2000	National Institute of Education (NIE), Singapore Post Grad Diploma (Teaching) Merit, Mathematics, Physics Singapore, Singapore
Apr 1990 – Apr 1994	National University of Singapore Bachelor of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Singapore, Singapore

Experience

Jan 2014 – present	Lead Specialist Ministry of Education, Educational Technology , Singapore
Jan 2011 – present	Senior Specialist Ministry of Education, Educational Technology Singapore, Singapore
Jul 2007 – Dec 2010	Education Technology Officer Ministry of Education, Educational technology Singapore, Singapore
Jul 2000 – Jun 2007	Education Officer Ministry of Education, Yishun Junior College Singapore, Singapore

Statistics

RG Score	6.04
Publications	53
Reads	11,721
Citations	141

Awards & Grants

Nov 2018	Award: National Day Award: Commendation Medal
Jan 2018	Grant: AEP 10/17 LW Virtual Lab Learning Analytics-Moodle extension
Jan 2018	Grant: AEP 14/17 LTK Promoting joy of learning by turning phone into 3 scientific equipment
Jan 2017	Award: MOE Innergy Gold Open Source Physics at Singapore
Jan 2017	Grant: SSTRF_2017_ETD_3 Explore-Useful Learning Math Apps
Oct 2016	Award: Best paper 6th International Conference on Learning, Education and Pedagogy (LEAP) Hong Kong
Jan 2016	Award: UNESCO King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize for the Use of ICTs in Education
Jan 2016	Grant: AEP 03/16 LW Apps as Virtual Lab
Nov 2015	Award: Academy Awards for Professional Development 2015 Associate Award
Jul 2015	Grant: OER 10/15 GWF Understanding Teacher Learning Community as Support for Implementation of Open Source Physics for Conceptual Instruction
Jan 2015	Grant: NRF2015-EDU001-EL021 Modelling-Inquiry Enabled Interactive Textbook
May 2014	Award: Distinguished Star Service Excellence PS21 2014
Apr 2014	Award: MOE Innergy Commendation Primary school Interactive Resources
Mar 2013	Award: MOE Outstanding Innovator Award 2013
Jan 2013	Grant: NRF2013-EDU001-EL017 Becoming Scientists through Video Analysis
Jun 2012	Award: Academy Awards for Professional Development 2012 Associate Award
Jun 2012	Award: Public Service PS21 Excel Awards Best Ideator 2012
Mar 2012	Award: Innergy Award Winner 2012 (Gravity-Physics by Inquiry)
Mar 2012	Award: Innergy Award Winner 2012 (Bringing Innovative Ideas to Practice Through Propel-T Projects) Gold Award
Jan 2012	Grant: SSTRF-ETD_2012_01 Gravity Physics by Inquiry
Jan 2012	Award: MOE excellence service award 2012
Sep 2011	Award: Public Service Excellence in Service Award (EXSA) Star 2011
Jun 2011	Award: Appreciation Award by Academy of Singapore Teachers 2011
Mar 2011	Award: Innergy Award Winner School Commendation 2011 (Learning Physics through video analysis RVHS)
Jan 2011	Grant: NRF2011-EDU001-EL001 Java Simulation Design for Teaching and Learning
Sep 2010	Award: Public Service Excellence in Service Award (EXSA) Gold 2010
Sep 2009	Award: Public Service Excellence in Service Award (EXSA) Silver 2009

Skills & Activities

 

Skills

 

Educational Technology, Tracker, Open Source Physics, Easy Java Simulation, Online Learning, Technology Enhanced Learning, Virtual Environments, Curriculum Development, Physics Education, Pedagogics, Teaching, Curriculum, Instructional Design, Science Education, Learning, Teaching and Learning, Pedagogy and Education

 

Languages

Chinese, English

 

Scientific Memberships

American Association Physics Teacher

 

 

Interests

open educational resources

 

 

Publication Highlights

 

Loo Kang Wee:One-dimensional collision carts computer model and its design ideas for productive experiential learning. Physics Education 04/2012; 47(3)., DOI:10.1088/0031-9120/47/3/301

Loo Kang Wee, Charles Chew, Giam Hwee Goh, Samuel Tan, Tat Leong Lee:Using Tracker as a Pedagogical Tool for Understanding Projectile Motion. Physics Education 06/2012; 47(4)., DOI:10.1088/0031-9120/47/4/448

Loo Kang Wee, Hwee Tiang Ning:Vernier caliper and micrometer computer models using Easy Java Simulation and its pedagogical design feature-ideas to augment learning with real instruments. Physics Education 08/2014; 49(5)., DOI:10.1088/0031-9120/49/5/493

Loo Kang Wee, Tat Leong Lee, Charles Chew, Darren Wong, Samuel Tan:Understanding resonance graphs using Easy Java Simulations (EJS) and why we use EJS. Physics Education 01/2015; 50(2)., DOI:10.1088/0031-9120/50/2/189

Loo Kang Wee, Kim Kia Tan, Tze Kwang Leong, Ching Tan:Using Tracker as a Pedagogical Tool for Understanding Toss Up-Free Fall Motion. Physics Education 01/2015;

Journal Publications

1. Loo Kang Lawrence Wee, Victor Lim, Jessica Teo, Shannalyn, Shannalyn Ng:Massive Open and Online Courses and Open Education Resources in Singapore.
2. Mustafa Şahin Bülbül, Loo Kang Wee:Using the knowledge of penumbra with a trick simulation.
3. Lyna Kwan, Loo Kang Wee: A Case Study of Open Source Physics (OSP) Learning Community (LC).
4. Loo Kang Wee:What National Examinations Reforms should be made and how may technology be leveraged?.
5. Loo Kang Wee, Kim Kia Tan, Tze Kwang Leong, Ching Tan:Using Tracker to understand 'toss up' and free fall motion: A case study. Physics Education 07/2015; 50(4)., DOI:10.1088/0031-9120/50/4/436
6. Loo Kang Wee, Tze Kwang Leong:Video Analysis and Modeling Performance Task to Promote Becoming Like Scientists in Classrooms. American Journal of Educational Research 02/2015; 3(2)., DOI:10.12691/education-3-2-14
7. Kah Hean Chua, Ming Yeo Oh, Loo Kang Wee, Ching Tan:Multimedia-Video for Learning.
8. Dennis Toh, Ravintharan, Matthew Lim, Loo Kang Wee, Matthew Ong:Robotics for Learning.
9. Loo Kang Wee, Kim Kia Tan, Tze Kwang Leong, Ching Tan:Using Tracker as a Pedagogical Tool for Understanding Toss Up-Free Fall Motion. Physics Education 01/2015;
10. Loo Kang Wee, Tat Leong Lee, Charles Chew, Darren Wong, Samuel Tan:Understanding resonance graphs using Easy Java Simulations (EJS) and why we use EJS. Physics Education 01/2015; 50(2)., DOI:10.1088/0031-9120/50/2/189
11. Charles Chew, Loo Kang Wee:Use of Blended Approach in the Learning of Electromagnetic Induction.
12. Loo Kang Wee, Ai Phing Lim, Sze Yee Lye:NRF2011-EDU001-EL001 EduLab Project Scaling-up Reflections on Using Open Source Physics.
13. Sze Yee Lye, Loo Kang Wee, Yao Chie Kwek, Suriati Abas, Lee Yong Tay:Design, Customization and Implementation of Energy Simulation with 5E Model in Elementary Classroom. Educational Technology & Society 08/2014; 17(3).
14. Loo Kang Wee:Open Educational Resources from Performance Task using Video Analysis and Modeling - Tracker and K12 science education framework.
15. Loo Kang Wee, Hwee Tiang Ning:Vernier caliper and micrometer computer models using Easy Java Simulation and its pedagogical design feature-ideas to augment learning with real instruments. Physics Education 08/2014; 49(5)., DOI:10.1088/0031-9120/49/5/493
16. Loo Kang Wee, Giam Hwee Goh, Ee-Peow Lim:Easy Java Simulation, an innovative tool for teacher as designers of gravity-physics computer models.
17. Loo Kang Wee:Open Source Physics.
18. Khoon Song Aloysius Goh, Loo Kang Wee, Kim Wah Yip, Ping Yong Jeffrey Toh, Sze Yee Lye:Addressing learning difficulties in Newtons 1st and 3rd Laws through problem based inquiry using Easy Java Simulation.
19. Loo Kang Wee, Giam Hwee Goh, Charles Chew:Enabling Gravity Physics by Inquiry using Easy Java Simulation.
20. Loo Kang Wee, Giam Hwee Goh:Geostationary Earth Orbit Satellite Model using Easy Java Simulation. Physics Education 12/2012; 48(1)., DOI:10.1088/0031-9120/48/1/72
21. Sze Yee Lye, Loo Kang Wee, Y.C. Ong:Open Source Energy Simulation for Elementary School.
22. Loo Kang Wee:Physics Educators as Designers of Simulation using Easy Java Simulation (Ejs) Part 2*.
23. Loo Kang Wee:Physics Educators as Designers of Simulation using Easy Java Simulation (Ejs).
24. Loo Kang Wee, Sze Yee Lye:Designing Open Source Computer Models for Physics by Inquiry using Easy Java Simulation.
25. Loo Kang Lawrence Wee, Ai Phing Lim, Khoon Song Aloysius Goh, Sze Yee LyeYE, Tat Leong Lee, Weiming Xu, Giam Hwee Jimmy Goh, Chee Wah Ong, Soo Kok Ng, Ee-Peow Lim, Chew Ling Lim, Wee Leng Joshua Yeo, Matthew Ong, Kenneth Y. T. LimI:Computer Models Design for Teaching and Learning using Easy Java Simulation.
26. Loo Kang Wee, Tat Leong Lee:Video Analysis and Modeling Tool for Physics Education: A workshop for Redesigning Pedagogy.
27. Loo Kang Wee, Wai Keong Mak:Leveraging on Easy Java Simulation tool and open source computer simulation library to create interactive digital media for mass customizationof high school physics curriculum.
28. Darren Wong, Peng Poo Sng, Eng Hock Ng, Loo Kang Wee:Learning with multiple representations: An example of a revision lesson in mechanics. Physics Education 07/2012; 46(2)., DOI:10.1088/0031-9120/46/2/005
29. Loo Kang Wee, Charles Chew, Giam Hwee Goh, Samuel Tan, Tat Leong Lee:Using Tracker as a Pedagogical Tool for Understanding Projectile Motion. Physics Education 06/2012; 47(4)., DOI:10.1088/0031-9120/47/4/448
30. Loo Kang Wee:One-dimensional collision carts computer model and its design ideas for productive experiential learning. Physics Education 04/2012; 47(3)., DOI:10.1088/0031-9120/47/3/301

Conference Proceedings

1. Francisco Esquembre, Félix J García-Clemente, Loo Kang Wee:Creating sensors-aware physics simulation apps using EjsS. GIREP-MPTL conference 2018, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain; 07/2018
2. Félix J García Clemente, Francisco Esquembre, Loo Kang Wee:Deployment of physics simulation apps using Easy JavaScript Simulations. IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON 2017), Athens, Greece; 04/2017, DOI:10.1109/EDUCON.2017.7942985
3. Helen Teague, Charlie Pruett, Loo Kang WEE:Social Justice Through Simulation: Blended Learning for Intergenerational Studies. Global Learn 2016 Limerick, Ireland, Limerick, Ireland; 04/2016
4. Helen Teague, Charlie Pruett, Loo Kang Wee:Social Justice Through Simulation: Blended Learning for Intergenerational Studies. Global Learn 2016, Limerick, Ireland; 04/2016
5. Loo Kang Wee:Creating Electronic Books-Chapters for Computers and Tablets Using Easy Java/JavaScript Simulations, EjsS Modeling Tool. MPTL 20 - 20th International Conference on Multimedia in Physics and Learning, Munich Germany; 12/2015
6. Loo Kang Wee, Tze Kwang Leong:Performance Task using Video Analysis and Modelling to promote K12 eight practices of science. Groupe International de Recherche sur l'Enseignement de la Physique; 01/2015
7. Xu W, Wee L L K, Lee T L, Lim A P, Goh J G H, Ong C W, Ng S K, Goh A K S, Lim E-P, Lim C L, Yeo J W L, Kenneth Y T Lim, Matthew Ong, Lye S Y:Computer models design for teaching and learning using Easy Java Simulation. World Conference on Physics Education; 01/2012

 

 

 

A one paragraph biographical sketch (the sort of thing one would use to introduce you at a talk)

 

Loo Kang Lawrence WEE is a Lead specialist at the Ministry of Education (MOE), Education Technology Division (ETD), Singapore. His research focuses on designing HTML5 JavaScript computer models, also known as simulations and video analysis and modelling for physics education and publishes in Physics Education journal. His Open Source Physics at Singapore (OSP@SG) Digital Library and blog serves as a gateway to teachers and students to use and remix his simulations with the aim of benefiting all. His Open Source Physics at Singapore contributions has also been awarded the ‘UNESCO King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize for the Use of ICTs in Education, Pedagogical Innovation in the Use of ICT in Teaching and Learning’ in 2015.

 

 

A few (2-3 ?) sentences summarizing your contributions to the OSP project

 

Since, 2007, Loo Kang has been remixing and has since converted 400+ Easy Java Simulation to Easy JavaScript Simulation all available on the Open Source Physics at Singapore Digital Library https://sg.iwant2study.org/ospsg/. Loo Kang has also created 100+ Tracker video analysis and modeling files while working with Singapore teachers and students on their own performance tasks. Loo Kang also created a similar file structure and website to PhET and also made https://iwant2study.org/lookangejss to host ejss and trz files and made them directly accessible on both Easy JavaScript Simulation Modeling Toolkit and Tracker as shared libraries.

 

  Reference

https://weelookang.blogspot.com/2019/09/2020-excellence-in-physics-education.html

https://weelookang.blogspot.com/2019/05/open-source-physics-team-for-aps.html

 

May I have some more details please, for me to check with colleagues on possible considerations to take note?

The award ceremony will be held in the US?

Yes. APS April Meeting 2020, April 18-21 • Washington, DC, Washington Marriott Wardman Park .

URL https://www.aps.org/meetings/april/index.cfm

Would there be any monetary award as part of this APS award?

The award, presented annually, consists of a \(5,000 monetary award, a certificate citing the achievements of the group. But the leader Professor Wolfgang will decide the division of the money so it could be zero or 5,000/18 members = \)USD277 each member.

is this an individual or team award?

18 members Team called Open Source Physics.
They are a mixed of Physics, Math, Computer Science Professors and educators.

1. Christian, Wolfgang <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
2. Lyle Barbato <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>,
3. "Belloni, Mario" <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>,
4. "This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it." <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>,
5. "This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it." <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>,
6. Anne Cox <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>,
7. Melissa Dancy <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>,
8. Francisco Esquembre <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>,
9. "Forinash III, Kyle" <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>,
10. MICHAEL R GALLIS <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>,
11. Harvey Gould <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>,
12. Bill Junkin <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>,
13. Bruce Mason <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>,
14. Todd Timberlake <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>,
15. Jan Tobochnik <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>,
16. "Lawrence WEE (MOE)" <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>,
17. Aaron Titus <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>,
18. Felix Clemente <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>

 

How did this award come about? For eg. was it by application or nominated, etc. It would be good if we can have some background info to the award

By nomination. The nominee is

Andrew D. Gavrin
Chair & Associate Professor
Department of Physics, LD154
402 N. Blackford St.
Indianapolis, IN 46202-3217
317-274-6909
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Background information is from URL https://www.aps.org/programs/honors/prizes/education.cfm

Excellence in Physics Education Award

To recognize and honor a team or group of individuals (such as a collaboration) or, exceptionally, a single individual, who have exhibited a sustained commitment to excellence in physics education. The award, presented annually, consists of a $5,000 monetary award, a certificate citing the achievements of the group or individual, and an allowance for travel expenses to the APS April Meeting where the award is presented.

Establishment & Support

This award was established in 2006 and endowed with support from the Richard Lounsbery Foundation, Vernier Software, WebAssign, Physics Academic Software, PASCO Scientific, General Atomics Sciences Education Foundation and numerous individual contributions.

Rules & Eligibility

A commitment to excellence in physics education may be evidenced by, but is not restricted to, such accomplishments as:

• The development of instructional materials, curriculum, or pedagogy  that has had a major ongoing influence on physics education beyond a single institution.
• Sustained excellence in the preparation and/or professional development of secondary school science teachers.
• Long-lasting professional service related to physics education that has had a demonstrated positive impact beyond a single institution.
• Development of a national network that has had a demonstrated positive impact on physics education.
• The development of a model program for educational outreach that has had demonstrated success and has been emulated beyond a single institution.

Nomination & Selection Process

Deadline: Monday, June 3, 2019

The nomination must include:

• A letter of not more than 5,000 characters evaluating the qualifications of the nominee(s).

In addition, the nomination should include:

• A biographical sketch.
• A list of the most important publications.
• At least two, but not more than four, seconding letters.
• Up to five reprints or preprints.

To start a new or update a continuing nomination, please see the Prize & Award Nomination Guidelines.

2020 Selection Committee Members: Paula Heron (Chair), Stamatis Vokos, Jennifer Docktor (Vice-Chair), Steve Pollock ('19 Recipient), Adrienne Traxler, Larry Woolf

Past winners are: 

Past Recipients

2019: Laurie S. Langdon University of Colorado, Boulder
Richard McCray University of Colorado, Boulder
Steven Iona University of Colorado, Boulder, University of Denver
Steven Pollock University of Colorado, Boulder
Valerie K. Otero University of Colorado, Boulder

2018: Ariel Paul
          Carl Wieman
          Emily B. Moore
          Kathy Perkins
          Michael Dubson
          Sam Reid
          Wendy K. Adams
2017: Contemporary Physics Education Project (Howard Matis)
2016: Robert John Beichner
2015: Edward F. Redish
2014: High School Modeling Instruction
2013: Gary Gladding
          Mats Selen
          Timothy Stelzer
2012: NOT AWARDED
2011: Physics Teaching Resource Agents
2010: Activity Based Physics Group
2009: Two Year College Workshop Team
2008: University of Washington Physics Education Group
2007: Physical Science Study Committee (PSSC) and Implementers