The NES/OSA attended the Massachusetts State Middle School Science & Engineering Fair at Worcester Technical High School on June 6th , 2009. The NES/OSA has been supporting this event for 7 years with money for operations and awards with the assistance of an OSA activity grant. This year’s fair featured an Expo for contributing organizations. Local members Bruce Irving, Aziz Mahfoud-Familia, Mark Hutcheson, Barbara Darnell and Groot Gregory provided Optics Demonstrations during the lunch hour Expo. The hands on demonstrations included polarization, fluorescence, refraction and laser communication. The giant kaleidoscope again was a big hit with younger kids and parents. In addition to the demonstrations, SPIE career CDs and SPIE/OSA posters were given to teachers, parents and students.
Aziz, a new addition to the optics outreach team, was pleased at the number of adults who observed the demonstrations and asked questions.
The number of students viewing the demonstrations this year was higher compared to previous years, likely due to the improved Expo format.
We often find students educating their parents and siblings after a demonstration. One of the participating students can be seen explaining Fresnel reflections to his mother shortly after learing it from one of the members.
The NES/OSA has the additional privalege of presenting awards at the conclusion of the fair. NES/OSA Tresurer Groot Gregory presented the awards for Honorable Mention, Third and Second place. A representive from Genzyme presented the first First place prizes with Cabot presenting the two Grand prizes.
