Bridging the gap in physics, one student at a time

Kingsley Levi Ede

In a high school classroom in Nigeria, Kingsley Levi Ede, a passionate physics teacher, is dedicated to empowering underrepresented and disadvantaged students by using STEM to transform their lives.

“I was challenged by witnessing the educational disparity in STEM education, physics in particular, especially among socioeconomically less privileged student populations,” he explains. “I experienced how un-equipped laboratories hampered students’ progress.”

Determined to make a positive difference, Ede chose teaching as a way to not only enrich his students’ lives through science but also uplift his entire community.

"I felt I owed the community something special," he says, reflecting on the early days of his 13-year journey in physics education. "Teaching also inspired me to focus on creating opportunities that present solutions, empower learners, and bridge educational disparities.”

As the student activities coordinator at Queen’s School in Nigeria, he coordinates hands-on physics projects for 250 high school students. Ede has also trained hundreds of future educators, written textbooks, developed curricula focused on access and inclusion, and made physics come alive through science fairs, mentorship programs, and virtual tutoring.

One of his initiatives, the Skill Acquisition Project, helped 400 students explore careers rooted in physics, turning abstract concepts into practical opportunities. And Ede’s teaching prowess hasn’t gone unnoticed. The Sound Education Ambassadors, an organization that promotes quality education in Africa, named him Best Science Teacher of the Year in 2024.

“Each time I see my students’ faces beam with the joy of learning and light with understanding, it is my greatest motivation that confirms the success of my efforts in advancing physics among the young generation,” he says.

Being named an APS Global Spotlight Member has also brought joy to Ede’s life.

“I feel delighted,” he says about the accolade. “It also affirms that an individual's existence should not be a barrier and highlights the importance of advancing physics in regions faced with disparity in resources, limited access, and poor support.”

Ede says he remains undeterred by the challenges that confront his students and community.

“My strong belief in the transformative, innovative, and industrial power of physics has continued to keep me committed to pushing for policy reform and advancing physics education,” he says.