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McCachren Recipient of the AAPT 2022 Homer L. Dodge Citation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dave McCachren

College Park, MD, October 12, 2021—AAPT has announced that Dave McCachren will receive the association's Homer L. Dodge Citation for Distinguished Service to AAPT, during their 2022 Winter Meeting. He is being honored for his service as a Physics Teacher Resource Agent (PTRA) and as a member of the Central Pennsylvania Section of AAPT.

Regarding his selection to receive this citation, McCachren said, “AAPT & PTRA were an important asset to my high school teaching career. I was totally surprised when notified of this prestigious award. I am humbled to be included with the recipients who continue to promote Physics and teaching at the section and national levels. Thank you!”

McCachren earned his Bachelors and Masters Degrees at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and has his Teaching Certification in Pennsylvania in Instructional II Physics and Mathematics. He joined AAPT and the Central Pennsylvania Section of AAPT in 1973 and became a PTRA in 1995, participating in the Summer Workshops each year since then. He served as Workshop Leader for National PTRA Training Sessions in 2012 and 2017. He co-authored the PTRA learning resource “Electromagnetic Spectrum: Window to the Universe” a workshop written in conjunction with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Since 1995 he has led PTRA workshops for High School and Middle School teachers in Central Pennsylvania, Baltimore, Maryland.

In nominating McCachren for this recognition his colleague noted, "Dave has been a true champion of Physics Education. Hundreds of teachers and thousands of students have been the recipients of and/or benefited from Dave’s entertaining and passionate presentations. Even well into retirement he is looked upon as a valued resource for many to assist in the preparation and presentation of lessons."

About the Award
Established in 1953 and renamed in recognition of AAPT founder Homer L. Dodge in 2012, the Homer L. Dodge Citation for Distinguished Service to AAPT is presented to members in recognition of their exceptional contributions to the association at the national, sectional, or local level.

About AAPT
AAPT is an international organization for physics educators, physicists, and industrial scientists—with members worldwide. Dedicated to enhancing the understanding and appreciation of physics through teaching, AAPT provides awards, publications, and programs that encourage teaching practical application of physics principles, support continuing professional development, and reward excellence in physics education. AAPT was founded in 1930 and is headquartered in the American Center for Physics in College Park, Maryland.