Physics professor wins Michael Smith award

Quebec, QC – Physics professor Yvon Fortin is this year’s recipient of the Michael Smith award. He is a widely recognized popularizer of science with 30 years of teaching experience as a physics professor at the College Francois-Xavier-Garneau.

He was cited for his creative mix of elaborate models, hands-on demonstrations, and other techniques that illustrate important scientific principles. He was a key force in the creation of the Centre de demonstration en sciences physiques at the college, which saw the conversion of an old gymnasium into a flexible space that includes a workshop and a multimedia amphitheatre.

The Michael Smith awards are named after the late Canadian Nobel laureate, and are presented annually to honour individuals and groups who make an outstanding contribution to the promotion of science in Canada. Individual awards include a medal and $5,000. The award for the group category will be announced later this year in Winnipeg.