Monroe Community College partnered with Rochester Regional Photonics Cluster (RRPC), and East High to conduct a Summer Optics Sizzler for 11 East High School students. The sizzler was held at the Applied Technologies Center on June 28 – 30, 2010
The Summer Optics Sizzler was intended to introduce the “Wow” factor about light, optics, and photonics as the students learned the underlying principles and math behind the phenomenon of light.
After learning about optics with demonstrations by Josh Cobb and Marcelo Guimaraes, the students were divided into four teams, each given a project to research and build, along with expectations to meet. Each team had an optics professional as a team leader to provide guidance and assistance.
· Team Spectra - breaking white light in the colors of the spectrum
· Team Lightbender – constructed a light guide to bend light
· Team Projection Science – made an LCD projector
· Team Stereo Vision –created 3D images
The students created PowerPoint presentations and presented their findings to a panel of optics professionals, who offered supportive comments on their findings and presentation skills. The students also fielded questions from panelists without their team leaders to assist them. The setting was designed to put them into the professional circumstance of presenting to known and unknown parties where information had to be transmitted effectively.
The students completed an evaluation at the end of the sizzler and everyone agreed that the sizzler should be longer. They enjoyed the experience, teamwork and making the presentations. They rated the team leaders and the learning experiences a 4.8 out of 5.
According to Tom Battley, RRPC Director, “All I can say is that superlatives fail me. These kids shattered preconceptions and stereotypes about City High school students for everyone who participated in the Sizzler. The presentations were professional, articulate and informative, and the students fielded questions with aplomb and composure.”
According to Paul Conrow, East High technology teacher, “The Summer Optics Sizzler was possibly the best experience for high school students that I have been a part of because the work was challenging, goal-oriented, and relevant, and the students learned how much they could learn in 2 days time.”
In addition to the memories and experiences that the students received, they also went home with a tote bag full of optical goodies including laser points, flash drives, diffraction cards, and career information.
Team Leaders: Students:
Joshua Cobb – Corning Tropel Josette Allwood
Paul Conrow – East High School Ariel Barkley
Jim Crittenden – ITTSSD Ashley Davidow
Marcelo Guimaraes – MCC Carlos Gracia
Jen Kruschwitz - JK Consulting Sterling Jonasse
Jim Vankouwenberg – Optimax Systems Daniel Ly
Mary Maddox
Panelists: Jeremy Major
Dan Balonek – Lasermax Brinnette Marrero
Katherine Hasman – ITTSSD James Schuler
Elise Michaels– ITTSSD Erica Wright
Dianna Phillips – MCC Seanté Wright
Alexis (Spillman) Vogt – Bausch and Lomb
Sponsors:
Tom Battley – Director RRPC
Dianna Phillips PhD - Dean, MCC Technical Education
Support:
Ross Micali
Debbie Smith
ATC Staff
RRPC Members
Dianna G. Phillips
Dean, Technical Education Division
07/13/2010 |