PHOTON, a Curriculum & Instructional Materials Development, Teacher & Faculty Prepartion & Enhancement and Laboratory Development project in photonics Technology

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Despite the tremendous growth in the demand for trained photonics technicians, estimated nationally to grow from 35,000 in 1994 to 740,000 in 2000, only two community-technical colleges in New England offer associate degree programs in photonics education. If New England is going to be able to maintain its competitive position in the global marketplace, the number of educational institutions offering instruction in photonics technology must be increased, strong programs must be implemented, and students must be better prepared to enter the programs.PHOTON is a teacher/faculty enhancement and laboratory improvement project. It is designed to provide middle school, secondary, postsecondary faculty, and guidance and career counselors from more than 40 educational institutions throughout New England with the skills to introduce photonics technology and laser applications into their classrooms. Although the project is being developed regionally, the model and instructional materials developed are being nationally disseminated.The project is conducting a series of workshops that develop a foundation in basic optics and laser principles. The first workshop, held in the fall of 2000, introduces 60 teachers, faculty and their respective career and guidance counselors to the applications and career opportunities in the field of photonics. Participants are being encouraged to form alliances across educational levels that facilitate building educational pathways for students. Through a competitive application process, 40 teachers, faculty, and career and guidance counselors are being selected to attend one-week workshops in the summers of 2001. During the workshops, educators are provided with a comprehensive optics laboratory kit to teach laser technology principles in their home institutions. Participants also receive technical assistance to implement new curricula, and a final two-day workshop will be conducted to share implementation models and strategies.