Dr. W. Stephen McNeil, Associate Professor of Teaching in the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science Department of Chemistry, is a recipient of the 2023 West Coast Teaching Excellence Award—UBC Okanagan’s first recognition at these awards. Read more.
The Department of Chemistry proudly recognizes Amanda Darbyshire’s outstanding achievements, as she has been honoured with the UBC Okanagan Provost Award for Teaching Assistants and Tutors.
Amanda Darbyshire is an exceptional individual who has made a significant impact as a long-standing first-year chemistry Teaching Assistant and a fourth-year student in the PhD program for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, working in the Wolthers lab. She has consistently displayed unwavering dedication and remarkable contributions in various aspects of her role.
Amanda’s involvement in lab development work has been invaluable, and she has played a pivotal role in leading TA meetings. Beyond her regular TA duties, which encompass teaching labs, marking assignments, proctoring examinations, and adapting courses to the online format during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, Amanda has consistently exhibited remarkable enthusiasm and creativity.
One area where Amanda truly shines is her exceptional assistance in delivering upper-level chemistry courses, such as the esteemed third-year biophysical chemistry labs. Her peers in the laboratory teaching team commend her for her exceptional ability to expand upon textbook and laboratory materials. She accomplishes this by creating engaging and informative online videos that visualize lab exercises. Furthermore, she offers expert guidance in data analysis, expertly composes calculation guides, and provides worked-out examples that prove to be instrumental in students’ understanding. Additionally, Amanda emphasizes the importance of safety procedures, waste management, and green chemistry principles, ensuring students are well-versed in these crucial aspects.
Amanda Darbyshire’s tireless efforts and outstanding abilities have earned her well-deserved recognition. The Department of Chemistry celebrates her accomplishments and applauds her for her significant contributions, which have positively impacted the academic community.
Learn more about the UBC Okanagan Provost Award for Teaching Assistants and Tutors.
Associate professor of chemistry, Stephen McNeil, has been awarded the Chemical Institute of Canada Award for Chemistry Education. Presented to one person, annually, the award recognizes outstanding contributions to education at the post-secondary level in the field of chemistry or chemical engineering.
McNeil was selected for his work in leading a reform of the content and delivery of UBCO’s introductory chemistry courses. His innovations have included developing, implementing, and assessing flipped delivery activities; active and guided-inquiry learning; and a context-embedded curriculum. His ongoing interests include the development and assessment of active- and collaborative-learning methods, alternative conceptions of advanced chemical bonding models, and science communication and chemistry outreach.
McNeil has been teaching at UBC Okanagan since 2005, and also won the coveted Killam Teaching Excellence and Innovation award in 2018.