Proceedings Article | 14 September 2007
KEYWORDS: Optical engineering, Astronomical imaging, Astronomy, Optics education, Observatories, Telescopes, Observational astronomy, Mirrors, Optics, Biomedical optics
The project is collaboration between two scientific societies, the Optical Society of America (OSA) and SPIE - The
International Society for Optical Engineering and the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO). The program is
designed to bring science education enrichment to thousands of underrepresented middle school students in more than
ten states, including female and minority students, who typically have not been the beneficiaries of science and
engineering resources and investments. HOO provides each teacher with up to six activity modules, each containing
enough materials for up to 30 students to participate in 6-8 hours of hands-on optics-related activities. Sample activities,
developed by education specialists at NOAO, include building kaleidoscopes and telescopes, communicating with a
beam of light, and a hit-the-target laser beam challenge. Teachers engage in two days of training and, where possible, are
partnered with a local optics professional (drawn from the local rosters of SPIE and OSA members) who volunteers to
spend time with the teacher and students as they explore the module activities. Through these activities, students gain
experience and understanding of optics principles, as well as learning the basics of inquiry, critical thinking, and
problem solving skills involving optics, and how optics interfaces with other disciplines. While the modules were
designed for use in informal after- school or weekend sessions, the number of venues has expanded to large and small
science centers, Boys and Girls Clubs, Girl Scouts, summer camps, family workshops, and use in the classroom.
