Dear GPER Family,
We’re reaching out to invite you to help fully endow a new American Physical Society honor established in memory of Stephanie Chasteen, recognizing outstanding and creative contributions to physics education research (PER).
This will be the first APS society-level honor dedicated specifically to PER, elevating the field alongside other physics subdisciplines and celebrating research that shapes how physics is taught and learned.
Thanks to an extraordinary $100,000 lead gift from the Chasteen family, we are now just $9,650 away from reaching our goal and ensuring this award can be presented in perpetuity.
Stephanie Chasteen (1972–2024) was a visionary physics education reformer whose work transformed how research-based teaching practices are developed, evaluated, and shared. As a writer, communicator, evaluator, teacher, and independent consultant, she brought a unique perspective and made lasting contributions to the physics community. She was the 2024 recipient of the Lillian McDermott Medal and a Fellow of both APS and AAPT, recognized for her leadership in research, faculty development, and program evaluation. Above all, Stephanie was passionate about empowering physics faculty to build thriving, inclusive programs that better serve students at all levels.
The endowed award will provide the recipient with a $5,000 annual prize, up to $2,000 in travel support, waived meeting registration, a calligraphy certificate, and an invited talk at an APS meeting during a GPER session or themed mini-symposium. This will ensure the recipient’s work is recognized and shared broadly with the community.
A gift will help us honor Stephanie’s remarkable legacy and strengthen the future of physics education research. We would be deeply grateful for your support in helping us reach this final milestone.
If you’d like to donate online, please click here to make a gift. Alternatively, simply reply to this email if you’d prefer to contribute by check, IRA, or stock transfer, or if you have questions about giving options.
Thank you for considering a gift in Stephanie’s honor and for helping us carry forward her extraordinary legacy.
With gratitude,
Michael E. Loverude, Chair
MacKenzie R. Stetzer, Chair-Elect
Natasha G. Holmes, Past Chair
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