Outstanding Educator Award

“My greatest reward as a teacher is to help ignite
the sparkle of knowledge in students' eyes."


Assoc Prof SOW Chorng Haur

Ph D in Physics (University of Chicago); B Sc, M Sc (NUS)
Department of Physics

CURRENT TEACHING PORTFOLIO
  • Nanophysics
  • Engineering Physics
  • Introduction to the Nanoworld
  • Physics III : Electricity and Magnetism

TEACHING ACHIEVEMENTS
  • Developed a highly interactive Physics Demonstration Laboratory, playing host to students at various levels (from primary school students to university students) where learning is achieved via hands-on activities and explorations
  • Engages in outreach programmes that promote the learning of science to schools of various levels and the Singapore Science Centre
  • Actively mentors students at various levels in Ph D and M Sc programmes as well as school-based projects, setting up research-based laboratory within the school compound in some cases
  • Assisted in the development of the curriculum of Nanoscience courses for the Nanoscience programme
  • Contributes to courses and activities conducted by the Centre for Development of Teaching and Learning

TEACHING STRENGTHS
  • Infectious passion and enthusiasm
  • Ability to relate abstract physics concept to simple everyday phenomenon by bringing the "Mobile Physics Laboratory" to lecture theatres
  • Effective use of engaging and interactive demonstration materials, animations, video clips and IT to help students in understanding difficult-to-visualise concepts
  • Creative design and construction of demonstration tools to enhance students' understanding of the topics discussed
  • Cultivation of free-spirited environment for students to venture into exciting paths of scientific discovery

PUBLICATION CREDITS
  • Published more than 90 papers in international journals, including Advanced Materials, JACS, Advanced Functional Materials and Applied Physics Letters
  • Contributed articles on teaching in university publications

INTERNATIONAL STANDING
  • Reviewer for numerous international journals
  • Member of the Advisory Committee for the Singapore Science Centre's Nanotechnology Exhibition

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
  • Annual Teaching Excellence Award (2002/2003/2004/ 2005/2006)
  • Faculty Teaching Excellence Award (2002/2003/2004/ 2005/2006)
  • Institute of Physics Singapore Omicron Nanotechnology Research Medal (2006)
  • Young Scientist Award (Faculty Research Award, 2007)

TEACHING ASPIRATION
To fuel students enthusiasm in the discovery of scientific truths and to nurture students' creative and innovative spirit in tackling fascinating problems.

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