news | 2010-11-03

EXPEKT's Strategic Advisory Board meeting

EXPEKT's board meets to discuss the long-term strategy for the Photonics Explorer Program

EXPEKTS first Strategic Advisory Board meeting was held in Paris on the 29th of October 2010. The Board members were updated with the progress in the development of the Photonics Explorer. They also discussed the best strategies with respect to dissemination, industry collaborations and the establishment of a non-profit organisation to continue the program beyond the EU-funded project EXPEKT.

The Strategic Advisory Board consists of 10 members who come from 8 different countries. They have been involved in outreach activities for many years, often working closely with the major photonics associations. At the board meeting they could therefore give valuable advice on the long-term strategy of the Photonics Explorer Program.

Agenda

The project co-cordinator, Prof. Hugo Thienpont, warmly welcomed the board members. Dr. Robert Fischer then reported on the progress made in the development of the Photonics Explorer Kit. This was followed by an explanation of the scientific evaluation process by Prof Manfred Euler from the IPN in Germany. Ms Nina Cords, who will evaluate the program as part of her PhD thesis, gave details on the planned field tests in autumn 2011. The Board then discussed the establishing of a non-profit organisation to continue the program beyond the EU-funded project EXPEKT. Finally, Dr. Amrita Prasad presented 2 new modules of the Photonics Explorer, giving the board members the opportunity to experiment hands-on with the material.

The feedback from this meeting has been extremely positive. The Board agreed to the set-up and running of a non-profit organisation dedicated to distribute the Photonics Explorer Kits free-of-charge. The board members provided practical ideas, discussed potential difficulties, and made suggestions for collaborations with industry and local networks. The next Board meeting is scheduled for July 2011.

Fast Answers

What is it all about?

The Photonics Explorer program will equip Europe’s secondary schools with up-to-date educational material on topics related to light and its technical use. The Photonics Explorer provides teachers with a class-set of components for hands-on experiments together with an inquiry-based didactic framework. It will be distributed free-of-charge and support teachers to engage, excite and educate students about the fascination of working with light.

What is photonics?

Photonics is the art of making light work for you. Just as electronics has changed the world by turning electrons into our every-day workhorses, photonics has changed our way of living by harnessing photons, small energy-units of light. We use them to carry information around the globe (e.g. for the internet), to generate electric energy, to detect diseases and heal, to cut and weld metal, to measure without touching or simply to read when it's dark outside. From the generation and shaping of light, to the transportation to its destination and its exactly controlled impact, photonics encompasses all aspects of handling electromagnetic radiation.

Why is it needed?

As more as teenagers like to possess and use the latest technological gadgets, as less they seem to be interested in what actually happens behind the user interface. At the same time, our society and everyone individually becomes increasingly dependent on science and technological progress. This raises the questions: Who is going to work on the scientific answers to the challenges we face as a society? How can we motivate young people to engage in the informed discussion about steering the efforts of scientists and the responsible use of technology?

The best place to raise young people’s interest in sciences is at school. Teachers play a key role in encouraging the next generation of scientists and engineers. The Photonics Explorer program therefore aims to support teachers in their efforts to make science an exciting and fun subject, while giving students a clear understanding of physical concepts and showing their relevance to the student’s every-day life.

For whom?

The work in this program is done for school kids. To make them experience the fascination of working with light first-hand, the Photonics Explorer will equip teachers for more engaging and exciting science lessons.

Who are we?

The Photonics Explorer program is teaming up teachers, scientists in pedagogy and experts in photonics to design an intra-curricula educational kit for secondary schools. More than 30 educators from 10 countries volunteer their time and expertise to ensure a high educational value and an easy integration of the material into the regular teaching.

This educational program is actively supported by sponsoring companies from several European countries.

The program is coordinated at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgium) and scientifically evaluated by the Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education in Kiel (Germany).

How can I get involved?

The Photonics Explorer program builds on the enthusiasm of many volunteers that donate their time and expertise to improve science education in Europe. There are several ways you too can get involved, and each support is appreciated: