In 1965, William and Edith Meggers presented the American Institute of Physics with the gift of a valuable stamp and coin collection. Such generosity allowed for the creation of an endowment, which is named in their honor.

Since its inception more than a dozen years ago, the Meggers Award has helped to fund more than 20 proposals. Projects range in scope and include everything from creating a physics camp for female students to building inexpensive cosmic ray detectors for use in high schools. For more information on the proposals that received funding, be sure to visit the honorees page.

In a letter describing the nature of this gift, William Meggers set forth his hopes of how it was to be used. He spoke of the need to increase educational opportunities in physics, particularly at the secondary school level. He advised the AIP to make use of his gift to augment high school level physics programs and heighten public awareness of the applications of physics.

To honor Dr. Meggers' wishes, this award is now given biennially in support of projects created specifically to enhance secondary physics education or to advance physics and its applications toward human welfare. A total of $25,000 is allotted each year the award is offered. There is an award committee that decides which proposals to accept and how to allocate the total award sum.

The success of this award truly depends on the creativity of those who apply. If you have an inspirational idea and the willingness to make it a reality, why not make yourself the next Meggers Award recipient.