[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 145 (Thursday, September 29, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1725]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING DR. ROBERT BEICHNER ON BEING AWARDED THE 2011 HAROLD W. 
                     McGRAW, JR. PRIZE IN EDUCATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. PRICE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 29, 2011

  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Dr. Robert Beichner for receiving the prestigious 2011 Harold W. 
McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education.
  Dr. Beichner, an Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor in the 
Department of Physics at North Carolina State University, is well-known 
for his work to improve teaching and learning at all levels and for a 
variety of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, 
fields. Since 2007, he has been the Director of North Carolina State 
University's STEM Education Initiative, with a mission to study and 
improve STEM education from ``K to Gray'' in North Carolina and around 
the world. His contributions to science education--from co-authoring a 
top-selling physics textbook to promoting new ways to educate our 
students in the classroom--reach far beyond the boundaries of his home 
campus in Raleigh, North Carolina.
  As a first-generation college graduate, Dr. Beichner recognizes the 
benefits of hands-on instruction that are not typically well 
represented in STEM fields. One of his major efforts is the Student-
Centered Active Learning Environment for Undergraduate Programs, or the 
SCALE-UP program, which utilizes methodology and teaching efforts 
proven to be successful in small class settings--such as hands-on 
activities, simulations and roundtable discussions--and adapts them for 
use in larger classrooms. The program fosters 21st century skills such 
as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork, and has been shown to 
improve students' ability to solve problems; increase conceptual 
understanding of STEM material; improve attitudes; and reduce failure 
rates among all demographics.
  Since it was launched in the late 1990's, SCALE-UP has been adopted 
by more than 100 universities across the country--including the 
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Clemson, and Wake Technical 
Community College--and is now moving into high schools, as well. This 
innovative curriculum development, evaluation, and dissemination effort 
is supported by the U.S. Department of Education, the National Science 
Foundation, Hewlett-Packard, and Pasco Scientific.
  Dr. Beichner gained visibility when he co-authored Physics for 
Scientists and Engineers, the leading college physics textbook, which 
is used by more than one-third of all STEM college majors. Several 
years ago he created the PER-CENTRAL website, establishing an 
electronic ``home base'' for the Physics Education Research community, 
and he also consults with education researchers and reformers in 
biology, engineering, chemistry and statistics. In addition, he is the 
founding editor of Physical Review Special Topics: Physics Education 
Research, the leading journal for those studying ways to improve the 
learning of physics.
  Long regarded not only as an expert in his field, but also as a 
teacher and a mentor who has greatly influenced the lives and careers 
of his students and colleagues, Dr. Beichner has received a number of 
accolades for his education reform efforts. In 2009, he was named the 
North Carolina Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the 
Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of 
Education (CASE), and in 2010, he was recognized as the National 
Undergraduate Science Teacher of the Year from the Society of College 
Science Teachers and the National Science Teachers Association.
  I am proud to see the list of honors continue with this year's 
awarding of the McGraw Prize in Education, which annually recognizes 
outstanding individuals who have dedicated themselves to improving 
education and who have demonstrated successes in doing so. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in recognizing Dr. Beichner for his achievements 
in improving STEM education and fostering the next generation of 
leaders in STEM fields.

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