A Rice University freshman won national recognition for his work lobbying against teaching creationism in Louisiana public schools.

Zack Kopplin, of Baton Rouge, is one of four recipients of this year’s Hugh Hefner First Amendment Award and will receive his $5,000 prize at a reception at Hefner’s Playboy Mansion, the Friendly Atheist reported.

Starting as a high school student in 2011, Kopplin fought to repeal a Louisiana law (pdf) allowing open discussion and criticism of scientific theories on evolution, origins of life and global warming in public school classrooms.

Kopplin and the scientists rallying with him considered the state’s broad inclusion of theories, like religious beliefs on creationism and intelligent design, as “miseducation.” Their efforts continued into 2012, but the repeal has yet to pass.

Hefner’s award was established in 1979 to honor Americans who “have made significant contributions in the vital effort to protect and enhance First Amendment rights.”