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"I wake up in the morning, and I can't wait to come to work," says Dr. Stephen Mojzsis of the Geological Sciences Department at CU Boulder. ÌýMojzsis takes interest in his students and now even collaborates on the research level with some former students from past introductory geology courses. ÌýMojzsis researches the age and origin of our solar system's elements. ÌýHe takes his passion for his research with him into the classroom each day. ÌýMojzsis says, "My research feeds into my teaching...I think the most effective professors are those who can weave into their curricula the excitement they feel in their research endeavors."

At the same time, Mojzsis strives to keep his lecture material relevant to students. ÌýHe says that he considers that in a single introductory geology course, he may be teaching freshman through seniors who may or may not be majoring in the sciences. ÌýRegardless, Mojzsis wants to challenge students to understand why various natural phenomena occur, rather than just observing them on the news. ÌýTo do so, he mayÌýincorporate discussion of current meteorological events into lecture material. Ìý"If I've even reached ten students, I feel like I've made a difference," he says.

Keeping Â鶹ÒùÔº Awake

Additionally, MojzsisÌýstrives toÌýpique students' interest every few minutes throughout a lecture to help students stay focusedÌýduring mid afternoon class periods. ÌýHe incorporates demonstrations, real life accounts, and even jokes. ÌýFor example, Mojzsis may bring a geiger counter into the classroom to demonstrate the varying radioactivity occuring throughoutÌýdifferent elements in an ordinary classroom. ÌýLater, he may have the entire class flip coins to illustrate how scientists use powers of ten when measuring radioactive decay of isotopes to approximate ages of rocks. ÌýOther times, Mojzsis may even justÌýsay something extraÌýloudly or clap his hands. ÌýFurther, Mojzsis createsÌýhis own short animated GIFs to better illustrate various natural phenomena.

Â鶹ÒùÔº nominated Mojzsis for the Fall 2013 ASSETT Teaching with Technology Award for his efforts. ÌýOne student wrote:

Professor Mojzsis's PowerPoints were amazing. ÌýHis lectures were always perfectly in sync with them. ÌýThey were clever, thoughtfully laid out, interesting, and hilarious. ÌýHe always included great things to keep our attention, and jokes were cleverly inserted every few slides. ÌýHis PowerPoints made me go to class on the days when I didn't want to get out of bed.

The statement is particularly remarkable considering that Mojzsis doesn't mandate attendance and that he uploads his powerpointsÌýonline before classes. ÌýIn response, Mojzsis says, "I was so happy to receive this award because I love to use technology...I love being on the faculty here."