Contact: Maridith Geuder
Sandra H. Harpole
A physics education organization representing more than 11,000 teachers is recognizing a Mississippi State faculty member for outstanding service.
Professor Sandra H. Harpole of West Point is receiving an American Association of Physics Teachers' Distinguished Service Citation.
Formed more than 60 years ago, the College Park, Md.-based association works to promote the advancement and effectiveness of physics education throughout the world. Presented annually to fewer than six persons, its service citations recognize "exceptional contributions to physics teaching."
Harpole, director of MSU's Center for Science, Mathematics and Technology, is a former physics teacher at West Point High School, where she was department chair for 14 years. She holds bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from MSU.
A member of the university faculty since 1987, she twice has been selected for Outstanding Faculty Woman awards. She also has been honored with John Grisham Master Teacher and Faculty Achievement awards.
In 1994, the Mississippi Science Teachers Association presented Harpole with its College Science Teaching Award.
She has directed several National Science Foundation projects for teacher preparation and teacher enhancement. In cooperation with the Peavey Electronics Corp. of Meridian, she currently heads an NSF-funded effort to provide teachers real-world experiences in industry. She also leads another NSF project pairing middle school teachers and students with research scientists who are working to improve water quality in the Mississippi Delta.
Harpole long has been active in the American Association of Physics Teachers at both the state and national levels. She twice served as president of the Mississippi Section and was a member of its executive board for 13 years. At the national level, she was a member of the organization's executive board and a number of major committees.