2016 USA Science and Engineering Festival
Jen Tedeschi
On 15-17 April 2016, The Optical Society (OSA) participated in the 2016 USA Science and Engineering Festival in Washington, DC. This festival is a bi-annual event to advance STEM education and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. There were 1,000 participating organizations with over 3,000 hands-on activities for attendees to learn more about science. We partnered with our sister societies under the name of Big Top Physics to help attendees learn more about the general field of physics. OSA featured our Centennial Exhibit, the Explore Optics Kit, as well as a Light Paint Booth where attendees received a picture of their creation.
At our Centennial Booth we quizzed students on general optics and photonics and handed out light-up yoyos and light-up balls. We had over 25,000 visitors stop by and learn more about OSA. Volunteers in the Washington DC area as well as staff members dedicated their time asking questions to attendees and highlighting the Explore Optics Kit in the Big Top Physics where attendees learned about the Peppergram. We would like to take the time to thank all of our volunteers:
At our Centennial Booth we quizzed students on general optics and photonics and handed out light-up yoyos and light-up balls. We had over 25,000 visitors stop by and learn more about OSA. Volunteers in the Washington DC area as well as staff members dedicated their time asking questions to attendees and highlighting the Explore Optics Kit in the Big Top Physics where attendees learned about the Peppergram. We would like to take the time to thank all of our volunteers:
- Becky Anderson
- Brandy Dillingham
- Brian Mathason
- Chad Stark
- Eric Yi Zhu
- Genaro Montanez
- Greg Quarles
- Gustavo Schujman
- Hangxin Shi
- Jackie Attia
- John Taylor
- Kelly Cohen
- Kumel Kagalwala
- Marcia Lesky
- Matthew Dunlop-Grey
- Miaochan Zhi
- Michael Duncan
- Michael Haymore
- Mohammadhossein Tahersima
- Monique Rodriquez
- Sam Cohen
- Sandra Gutierrez
- Scott Dineen
- Terence Rooney
- Thanh Nguyen
- Tong Zhou
- Tracy Schario
- Vy Bui
- Zac Levinson
OSA CEO Liz Rogan and Senior Director of Special Projects Monique Rodriquez enjoying the Light Paint Booth
