Expanding Photonics Education in the International Year of Light

Abstract

The year 2015 has been proclaimed the International Year of Light and Light-Based Technologies by the United Nations General Assembly 1 . This global initiative will highlight the importance of light and optical technologies in promoting sustainable development and providing solutions to global challenges in energy, education, agriculture and health. Baker College has introduced an exciting, new program in Photonics and Laser Technology in fall 2013 with support from the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education (NSF ATE) program. The program is now completing its second year and graduating a first group of well-prepared photonics technicians ready for employment in the growing photonics industry in the state and across the US. The second year marked the successful completion of the program curriculum and further development of the Optics and Photonics Laboratory. Outreach activities included summer programs for high school and middle school students. The paper describes the outcomes of the two year project in relation to the objectives of the NSF ATE grant. Challenges and lessons learned along the way are discussed, together with plans for sustainability and future expansion of the program.

An Advanced Technological Education Project for High Value Manufacturing: Lessons Learned

“…This project substantially updated the digital logic courses at participating universities and colleges which resulted in hundreds of students joining the technician workforce every year [8]. Likewise, the ATE program also helped create a new program on photonics and laser technology at Baker college in fall 2013 in an attempt to prepare skilled technicians for the growing photonics industry across the country [9]. This program successfully implemented a new course curriculum in photonics including optics and photonics laboratory.…”

“…This program successfully implemented a new course curriculum in photonics including optics and photonics laboratory. This has increased student enrollment year by year thereby contributing to the growing portion of the skilled workforce in the photonics industry [9]. The ATE project on "Technical Education for Rural Community" at Hopkinsville Community College has improved math coursework for advance manufacturing technicians.…”