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

尽管对训练有素的光子技术人员的需求有了巨大的增长，估计全国将从1994年的35，000人增长到2000年的740，000人，但新英格兰只有两所社区技术学院提供光子教育的副学士学位课程。如果新英格兰要在全球市场上保持其竞争地位，就必须增加提供光子技术教学的教育机构的数量，必须实施强有力的课程，学生必须为进入这些课程做好更好的准备。它旨在为来自新英格兰40多个教育机构的中学、中学、中学后教师、指导和职业顾问提供将光子技术和激光应用引入课堂的技能。虽然该项目是在区域范围内制定的，但所制定的模型和教材正在全国范围内传播，该项目正在举办一系列讲习班，奠定基本光学和激光原理的基础。第一次研讨会于2000年秋季举行，向60名教师、教职员工及其各自的职业和指导顾问介绍了光子学领域的应用和职业机会。正在鼓励参与者组成各级教育联盟，为学生建立教育途径提供便利。通过竞争性的申请程序，将选出40名教师、教职员工以及职业和指导顾问参加2001年夏季为期一周的讲习班。在讲习班期间，为教育工作者提供了一个全面的光学实验室套件，以便在他们的家乡机构教授激光技术原理。参与者还将获得技术援助，以实施新课程，最后将举办为期两天的讲习班，分享实施模式和战略。

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.