Outreach at the Boston Public School Science Fair

NES Optica gave demonstrations of refection, refraction, infrared light, and diffraction at the Boston Public School STEM fair. Dozens of young science enthusiasts presented their science projects, and the NES Optica was there to engage these students on issues of optics and photonics. This was a very successful outreach event, with enthusiastic involvement from students, parents, and passing Northeastern students.

Several new demonstrations were shown off at the fair. An infrared camera was set up to show people how thermal imaging can be used to show temperature differences and IR material properties. The giant kaleidescope, a perrenial hit, was reconfigured for this event as "the human kaleidoscope" with people looking at each other through the length. A laser box was set up as a 2D demonstration of how lenses bend light. Finally, diffraction glasses were distributed as a souvenir to demonstrate the composition of light.

Optics at the Boston Regional Science Fair

NES/OSA was one of 25 EXPO exhibitors at the 71st Annual Boston Public Schools Citywide/MA Region VI Science Fair. Approximately 400 high school and middle school students participated in this year's science fair. We were one of the donor's of prize money with our annual donation to the state's region fairs. Members attended to deomstre optical phenomina, how optics shows up in every day life and describe possible carreer options for students.

NES/OSA was joined but several organizations including American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, BioScience Project, Boston Museum of Science, Boston Society of Civil Engineers Section, Harvard Museums of Science and Culture, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), iRobot, MassBay Community College, NU Marine Science Center, Science Club for Girls, Science on the Street, Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE).

OSA Centennial Outreach Activities

Each year the NES/OSA participates in several outreach events to demonstrate the role optics plays in everyday life. Sharing knowledge of optics applications has been an ongoing effort since the mid-1970s evolving over time. Our current approach is to join public STEM EXPOs and Science Fairs. Massachusetts has a statewide system of science fairs split into six regions. Each region hosts middle and high school fairs with winners eligible to compete in the annual statewide fairs. The local section provides funding to each fair to cover overhead and prizes, and will attended 3 fairs with optics demonstrations.For 2016, the local section allocated $3400 for science fair support splitting the money between the regional fairs ($900), the two statewide fairs ($2000) and an allocation of funds for new and improved demonstrations including giveaways to attendees. The OSA was asked for and provided $1700 through an OSA Centennial grant.

This year NES/OSA was invited to the Boston Regional, High School and Middle School fair Expos. Each Expo is comprised of fair sponsors and STEM prompting organizations. Each attending organization is provided space to share information about the organization and / or demonstrate something about the science and engineering performed by the sponsor. The Expo was created specifically for the NES/OSA several years ago to improve our access to the students and other fair attendees, and is now a staple of the fair experience all attendees.

Read More: OSA Centennial Outreach Activities

Optics at the Newton Library STEAM Expo

Join the NES/OSA on July 18, 2015, from 1:00-4:00 pm, as we share our interest in Optics at the Newton Free Library's second annual STEAM Expo. The EXPO is open to all ages.

Come experience a fun, interactive afternoon at the library, and get involved in the rebirth of Do-It-Yourself.

Wonders of Light: Family Science Fun

The NES/OSA will be participating this education outreach program with hands-on optics demonstrations featuring light. It will be held in the Potomac Atrium at the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of the American Indian on September 12, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m..

If you happen to be in Washington, DC., please stop in and say hello.

Sponsors:

Family Optics Day

Family optics day was organized by New England Section of OSA and Boston University Student Chapter on Sep 17, 2011. The event was held at Boston University Photonics Center. Students of all ages enjoyed optics demonstrations, food and take home craft items. We thank all our volunteers and guests for participation.