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Outreach

Dr. Murty Mantravadi demonstrates his Optricks!

Children play with home made telescopes.

Outreach volunteers engage in a variety of optics-related, hands-on, activities and demonstrations at schools, museums, county fairs and other family-friendly events. OSSC Outreach can be done anywhere by any OSSC member or non-member volunteer.

If you have an idea for an outrach actvitiy or would like to volunteer, please contact the OSSC Outreach Chair.

Outreach Opportunites

The OSSC seeks volunters for upcoming events being organized by our friends at Vital Link and The Girl Scouts of Orange County. Please contact the Outreach Chair if you are interested.

We would love your help!

Vital Link

Vital Link is dedicated to preparing students for their future careers through experiential hands-on learning opportunities in the world of robotics, engineering, manufacturing, healthcare and medical, computer programming, digital media arts, automotive technology and more.

OSSC Fellows Donn Silberman and Bo Wang have volunteered with Vital Link for many years sharing their knowledge of optics and related fields.

Volunteer for Vital Link Programs in Orange County

Visit Vital Link to learn more upcoming events.

College & Career Events

Industry Apprenticeship Breakfast
January 15, 2025, | 8:30 AM-11:00 AM | TBD

Explore the role of apprenticeships in shaping the future workforce.
This event is an excellent opportunity to connect with industry leaders, ask your questions, and build relationships over a delicious breakfast.

OSSC Members are Invited

Learn about Registered Apprenticeships

Vital Link is at the forefront of helping companies and individuals learn about and implement apprenticeship programs.

You can learn more about apprenticeship programs on their website at:

Apprenticeships

OSSC Corporate Members and Website Sponsors can request information directly from Vital Link by using their on-line form:

Apprenticeship Interest Form

In December 2023, Vital Link co-hosted a special workshop on apprenticeships. You can see the slides by clicking on the image below.

Quantum Optics Education

For two decades the OSSC and the OISC (Optics Institute of Southern California) have partnered to provide Southern California optics and photonics education events, activities, and programs. The OISC has been reimagined as the QOISC (Quantum Optics Institute of Southern California) to focus on the exciting new efforts in quantum computing and related technologies.

Quantum Optics Education Resources

Building new pathways for quantum technicians, Jake Douglass, Donn M. Silberman, Megan Ivory, Tobias Knight SPIE Optics + Photonics, 21 August 2024, Invited Paper

Guide to Building a Quantum Technician Workforce, Dec. 2023 QED-C, Workforce TAC, SRI International
Jake Douglass, Susan Schwamberger, Donn Silberman, Connor Teague, Corban Tilleman-Dick, Evangeline Williams, and Newry Corp.

Teaching Quantum to High School Students - ETOP 2023 Donn Silberman

Video of presentation, Slides

https://www.qoisc.org/publications

Education & Outreach Resources

Past Outreach Events

Outreach Photo Albums More Photos

Homemade Integrating Sphere

Children study the LED integrating sphere designed and fabricated out of a spherical cake pan by Mark Helmlinger. LED Integrating Spheres, fabricated by Mark, are available from the OSSC at a nominal cost. You can also build your own integrating sphere.

More Educational Resources

Award Winning Laser Graffiti Video
by
UC Irvine Optica & SPIE Student Chapter
(Formarly UC Irvine OSA Student Chapter)

Interview with Desiré Whitmore, PhD
About Careers in Optics

OSSC Educational Materials

Outreach Supporters

OSSC outreach efforts are supported by our members and by generous grants from the following organizations.