Optometry outreach for diverse middle school students

Abstract

A need exists to diversify the optometry field in the United States. Males reflect 50.4 percent of the profession and approximately 97% of optometrist professionals are White and Asian 1 . This paper will describe Imhotep Academy's program model, implementation efforts, and preliminary findings of the "Imhotep Academy: Optics of the Eye" session designed to promote optics content, optometry careers, engagement with diverse professionals within the field, and optics hands-on experiences to ethnically and racially diverse middle school students. The paper will analyze students' awareness and knowledge of optics, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, their proficiencies, and innovations in the optometry field that impact personal health outcomes as well as parent data. Lastly, the paper will provide findings related to students' self-reported 21st-century learning skills, future STEM engagement in school, and career aspirations. Informal science outreach programs have been found to develop students' awareness and knowledge of STEM careers.

A thematic review of the present photonic education

“…If photonics education starts at lower levels, it is believed that the number of photonics-literate citizens can increase [11]. As a result, qualified photonics labors will be trained for future needs in a short time [12]. Therefore, we believe that it is crucially important to examine the current studies conducted about photonics education for young students.…”