Hands-On Optics: an educational initiative for exploring light and color in after-school programs, museums, and hands-on science centers

Pompea, S. M.; Johnson, Anthony; Arthurs, Eugene G.; Walker, Constance E.

doi:10.1117/12.2207727

Cited by 13 publications

(12 citation statements)

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“…To achieve these goals NOAO has created a photonics education program in Arizona 9 and has directed the creation of six informal science education optics kits as part of the Hands-On Optics project 10,11 . It has also created a citizen science program called Globe at Night on light pollution and illumination engineering 12 , a specialized yearlong program to engage the public in optics 13 , and instructional kits for the International Year of Light 2015.…”

Section: New Strategies For Advancing Optics Educationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Teaching optics concepts through an approach that emphasizes the colors of nature

Pompea

Conner

2015

SPIE Proceedings

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A wide variety of optics concepts can be taught using the overall perspective of "colors of nature" as a guiding and unifying theme. This approach is attractive and interesting with a wide appeal to children, nature enthusiasts, photographers, and artists. This approach also encourages a deep understanding of the natural world and the role of coloration in biology, remote sensing, the aurora, mineralogy, meteorology, in human-made objects, and astronomy, to name a few. Third, using this theme promotes a close look at optical phenomena at all size scales-from the microscopic (e.g. silica spheres in opals) to the mid-scale (the aurora), to the largest scale (astronomical phenomena such as gaseous emission nebula). Fourth, the natural and human-constructed world provides accessible and beautiful examples of complex phenomena such as interference, diffraction, atomic and molecular emissions, Rayleigh and Mie scattering, illumination engineering, and fluorescence. These areas can be explored successfully in the context of "colors of nature". Finally, using the "colors of nature" also promotes an understanding of technology, from flashlights to streetlights, from telescopes and binoculars, to spectrometers and digital cameras. For examples something as simple as how to set the white balance on a digital camera to get a realistic looking photograph can lead to a lengthy exploration of spectrally selective surfaces and their reflectance, the nature of different illumination sources, the meaning of color temperature, and role of calibration in a digital image.We have used this approach of teaching using the colors of nature as an organizing theme in our NSF-funded project "Project STEAM: Integrating Art with Science to Build Science Identities Among Girls" (colorsofnature.org).

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Section: New Strategies For Advancing Optics Educationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Teaching optics concepts through an approach that emphasizes the colors of nature

Pompea

Conner

2015

SPIE Proceedings

Self Cite

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“…The hands-on-optics (HOO) program is an excellent example of the use of modules for outreach education targeting middle school students. [8][9][10] Modules are convenient for instructors providing them with a package of materials available for incorporation into a course, learning activity or outreach program. The modular approach also allows instructors to either pick one topic to provide breadth within a course or choose a set of multiple topics to provide a course with depth for a particular program of study.…”

Section: Educational Module Concept and Motivationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modules to enhance smart lighting education

et al. 2012

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Over the past several years there has been a rapid advancement in solid state lighting applications brought on by the development of high efficiency light emitting diodes. Development of lighting devices, systems and products that meet the demands of the future lighting marketplace requires workers from many disciplines including engineers, scientists, designers and architects. The National Science Foundation has recognized this fact and established the Smart Lighting Engineering Research Center that promotes research leading to smart lighting systems, partners with industry to enhance innovation and educates a diverse, world-class workforce. The lead institution is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with core partners Boston University and The University of New Mexico. Outreach partners include Howard University, Morgan State University, and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Because of the multidisciplinary nature of advanced smart lighting systems workers often have little or no formal education in basic optics, lighting and illumination. This paper describes the initial stages of the development of self-contained and universally applicable educational modules that target essential optics topics needed for lighting applications. The modules are intended to be easily incorporated into new and existing courses by a variety of educators and/or to be used in a series of stand-alone, asynchronous training exercises by new graduate students. The ultimate goal of this effort is to produce resources such as video lectures, video presentations of students-teaching-students, classroom activities, assessment tools, student research projects and laboratories integrated into learning modules. Sample modules and resources will be highlighted. Other outreach activities such as plans for coursework, undergraduate research, design projects, and high school enrichment programs will be discussed.

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“…Hands-On Optics (HOO) [1] was funded by the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Informal Science Education division. The initial project ran from [2003][2004][2005][2006][2007].…”

Section: Hands-on Opticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

<title>Teaching adaptive optics concepts in the high school classroom using an active engagement, experimental approach</title>

et al. 2010

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Adaptive optics is rarely mentioned in high school physics classes due to its complex nature but is a valuable way to introduce key optics concepts that have practical applications. Over the last three years, we have been developing a series of hands-on activities targeted at high school students addressing various topics in adaptive optics. Using only high school math, these activities build a conceptual understanding of the processes involved in modern adaptive optics systems. The topics include atmospheric distortion, Shack-Hartmann sensors, and flexible mirrors. We will outline the activities as well as the results of classroom testing.

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Hands-On Optics: an educational initiative for exploring light and color in after-school programs, museums, and hands-on science centers

Cited by 13 publications

References 0 publications

Teaching optics concepts through an approach that emphasizes the colors of nature

Teaching optics concepts through an approach that emphasizes the colors of nature

Modules to enhance smart lighting education

<title>Teaching adaptive optics concepts in the high school classroom using an active engagement, experimental approach</title>

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