The Centre for Advanced Photonics and Process Analysis (CAPPA) is delighted to announce that CAPPA researcher Adarsh Ananthachar recently received an SPIE Education Outreach Grant to the value of $4,550. SPIE provides support for optics and photonics related education outreach activities. The key criteria for this grant is the potential to increase optics and photonics awareness among students or the larger community.
SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, was founded in 1955 to advance light – based technologies. Their aim is to advance emerging technologies through interdisciplinary information exchange, continuing education, publications, patent precedent and career and professional growth. As part of its education outreach mission, SPIE provides support for optics and photonics related education outreach activities. The application was selected on the potential to influence the chosen audience, potential to raise awareness and interest in optics and photonics, clarity and structure of the project, and clear timeline and budget. The grant will be used for the basis of delivering a smartphone spectrometer, laser harp, and telescope activity.
CAPPA conducts a variety of different outreach activities to try to raise awareness of photonics and to educate all age groups on the applications of photonics in both research and industry. Our researchers regularly visit primary and secondary schools to try to engage students from a young age in the area of photonics and optics. CAPPA has also previously held outreach events for the public focusing on how scientists harness the power of light and how photonics is improving everyday life. CAPPA is dedicated to engaging with people across all age groups to bring awareness to the variety of different photonics and optics applications that are available. Additionally, CAPPA takes part in outreach activities, such as the “I’m a scientist” competition, as well as holding their own outreach events.
You can learn more about the previous outreach CAPPA has been involved in here.