The 1994 Wighton Fellowship

Dr. Smith shared recognition of his award with Warren Flaman. Warren is a technician in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering who helped in developing the hardware for the undergraduate laboratories. Dr. Smith also praised his many students for being willing to take the pro-active part necessary for innovative laboratory teaching to take place.

The Wighton Fellowship of the Sandford Fleming Foundation is awarded to recognize and honour persons who have contributed in an innovative, distinctive, and exceptional way to the instruction in undergraduate laboratories in a Canadian School of Engineering. The award requires evidence of superior laboratory teaching, together with the introduction of innovative laboratory courses and course materials. Examples of the nominee's ability to motivate and inspire students toward excellence in laboratory achievement have to be supported by letters from colleagues and former students.

The citation for the Wighton Fellowship stated

Through his own experience as an experimental Physicist and Engineer, Dr. Michael Smith has seen the importance of students to have hands-on experience. He has encouraged and provided the opportunity for students to gain practical experience by setting up special course projects in computer graphics, microprocessor operation and digital signal processing. A number of these projects have led to IEEE Hackbush student awards, job opportunities, and scientific papers. He has actively approached industry, which has responded with equipment, software and speakers".

Dean Axel Meisen, representing the National Committee of Deans of Engineering and Applied Sciences, indicated the basis for Professor Smith's nomination for the 1994 Wighton Fellowship.

Dr. Smith has contributed to undergraduate laboratory instruction in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, at the University of Calgary, in an innovative, distinctive, and exceptional way over a period of many years.

In the graphics area, Dr. Smith has guided students through projects involving the concepts of Ice Thickness Measurements from Ships, Core Porosity Measurement, Paper Mill Monitoring, Security Systems, Farm Management, and Children's Hospital Projects. One of the most significant of these projects was the development of a software wheelchair simulator for evaluation of control mechanisms for handicapped children.

In the microprocessor area Dr. Smith has developed a long-term relationship with Advanced Micro Devices, Austin, Texas. AMD have given significant hardware and software donations to update microprocessor laboratories in the department. They have provided RISC processors for high-speed digital signal processing and microcontrollers for interfacing. Dr. Smith has guided his students through some unique microprocessor-based projects, including model train control; radio controlled cars; finite impulse response, infinite impulse response and adaptive filters; and security systems.

Dr. Smith was hired from the high school system and still has close contacts with the schools. He founded, and is still active in, the Calgary Regional Programming Competition for elementary and high schools. He has participated in the science enrichment program where high school students work in University laboratories on research projects. He is currently involved with the Science Hotline.

In summary, Dr. Smith's activities are extensive and diverse, and he has developed a unique link with industry to support his laboratory instruction at the University of Calgary to the benefit of both students and the industrial companies involved.