Benjamin Giers (University of Calgary) was the 2026 David Bateson Award Winner for their research titled “Student engagement in physics: Bridging the gap between secondary and post-secondary physics education”

1. Where did you complete your educational studies?
I completed my Bachelor of Education at the University of Calgary, following a Bachelor of Science in General Science concentrating in physics and mathematics at Mount Royal University. My research was conducted through the Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary.

The title of the research project was “Student Engagement in Physics: Bridging the Gap Between Secondary and Post-Secondary Physics Education”

2. What were your research questions?
Within this project, there were three main research questions:
(1) What is the current level of engagement among secondary students?
(2) How do physics educators (secondary and post-secondary) perceive factors that influence student engagement?
(3) What do educators perceive are the more important factors influencing engagement in physics?

3. Please provide a description of your research.
My research examines how experiences in secondary physics classrooms influence students’ decisions to pursue physics beyond high school. Using a concurrent mixed-methods approach, I combined survey data from Grade 10 science students with interviews involving experienced secondary and post-secondary physics educators. The findings highlight several factors that shape student engagement, including mathematical preparedness, students’ prior perceptions of physics, and the importance of connecting physics concepts to meaningful real-world applications. By better understanding these influences, I hope to contribute to teaching practices that foster greater engagement and encourage more students to continue studying physics after high school.

4. How are you continuing this work?
Over the next few months, I plan to continue this research alongside my classroom practice. My goal is to expand the project by collecting data from a broader range of students and educators, examining additional factors that shape engagement in physics, and further investigating how secondary experiences influence postsecondary pathways. I also hope to disseminate this work through future conferences and peer-reviewed publications.

5. What has been CERA’s impact on your work?
Receiving the David Bateson New Scholar Award and becoming a member of CERA have been incredibly valuable opportunities early in my research career. Presenting during the CERA session at the CSSE annual conference this year allowed me to share my work with researchers across Canada, receive thoughtful feedback, and engage in meaningful discussions about science education. Through CERA, I have begun building connections with researchers who share similar interests, and the experience has strengthened my commitment to continuing in educational research.

6. If you are interested in connecting with Benjamin, please reach out by email:

ben.giers@ucalgary.ca