Work

The Rochester OSA Optics Suitcase: 13 years of middle school outreach

Year: 2012

Type: conference-paper

Abstract: The Rochester Section of the Optical Society of America (ROSA) developed a youth outreach program in 1999 to be presented in middle schools by scientists, engineers and engineering students. The objective was to kindle interest in technology careers, especially those related to optics, photonics, and optical engineering. Three in-class experiments using individual take-home theme packets that explore color in white light were devised early in the program, and these have proven to be the key to its success. Over the past 13 years, with financial support from a variety of organizations and individuals, ROSA has manufactured and delivered over 450 Optics Suitcases to groups in 34 US states and 54 countries. The presentation guide is now available in 4 languages besides English. In this paper, the elements of an Optics Suitcase presentation are reviewed, and examples of outreach events are used to document its success.

Source: Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE

DOI: 10.1117/12.927633

Authors: Cristina Canavesi, Theresa M. Donlon, Stephen D. Jacobs

Institutions: University of Rochester, Optica

Language: English

Topic: Career Development and Diversity

Subfield: Safety Research

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State University, Optica Foundation

OpenAlex ID: W1990549473