Information and Outreach
Classroom Posters
Laser SafetyThe laser safety poster identifies the different laser classes, common hazards, safe work practices, common formulas and data used by students when introduced to laser safety.
Recommended use STEM, electronics and photonics technology classes in high schools and colleges Nd:YAG LasersThis poster features general definitions, energy levels, advantages, common applications, and technical information specific to Nd:YAG lasers.
Recommended use STEM, electronics and photonics technology classes in high schools and colleges |
Helium–Neon LasersThis poster features general definitions, energy levels, advantages, common applications, and technical information specific to helium-neon lasers.
Recommended use STEM, electronics and photonics technology classes in high schools and colleges Fiber LasersThis poster features general definitions, energy levels, advantages, common applications, and technical information specific to fiber lasers.
Recommended use STEM, electronics and photonics technology classes in high schools and colleges |
Diode LasersThis poster features general definitions, energy levels, advantages, common applications, and technical information specific to diode lasers.
Recommended use STEM, electronics and photonics technology classes in high schools and colleges Women in PhotonicsThis poster was created to inspire high school girls to pursue photonics, but it can also be used in middle schools and colleges.
Recommended use middle schools, high schools, colleges |
Outreach Materials
Veterans BrochuresDescription
This set of 4 brochures guides active military members and veterans on how to transfer their military training to college credit. Available resources Webpage with links to education benefits and programs in optics and photonics Recommended use Veterans’ Affairs personnel, active military, veterans, military family members. |
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Where do Robotics and Photonics Technicians Work Brochure
Description
This brochure maps industries that hire robotics and photonics technicians; technicians’ common job tasks, titles, and average wages. A useful document to share during outreach events. Recommended use middle school students, high school students, parents, counselors, advisors, teachers, school and college administrators |
Adult Learners: Upgrading Your CareerDescription
This booklet examines the lives and careers of 10 exemplary photonics technicians. These technicians were all educated in two year associate degree programs at U.S. community and technical colleges. After completing high school they chose to go to work in a job requiring low knowledge/skills, or they entered higher education in an unrelated field; frequently in a major that did not prepare them for a career. Through a variety of experiences these adults learned about photonics and decided to return to college and prepare to become photonics (laser/optics) technicians. They discovered that rewarding careers in lasers and optics were available for hands-on learners who complete these college programs. In college they found the technical courses interesting and achievable. When they completed their coursework they had multiple job offers that paid good salaries. They are now employed in interesting, well-paying jobs, with unlimited career opportunities. Recommended use advisors, EET faculty, college administrators |
High School Students: Find a Rewarding Career in PhotonicsDescription
This booklet examines the lives and careers of 11 exemplary photonics technicians. These technicians were all educated in two year associate degree programs at U.S. community and technical colleges. While they were still in high school they discovered that rewarding careers in lasers and optics were available for hands-on learners who complete these college programs. In college they found the technical courses interesting and achievable. When they completed their coursework they had multiple job offers that paid good salaries. They are now employed in interesting jobs, with unlimited career opportunities. Recommended use high school students, parents, counselors, advisors, teachers, school and college administrators |
Success Stories in Photonics CareersDescription
This booklet features 24 exemplary photonics technicians inducted into the Photonics Alumni Council for Technicians (PACT) in 2016. The PACT book answers questions about the lives and careers of these technicians who graduated from community and technical colleges throughout the country. Recommended use high school students, parents, counselors, advisors, school and college administrators |
Information for Students and Graduates
How to make Your First Year on the Job a Success
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Monographs & White Papers
The National Skill Standards for Photonics Systems TechniciansDescription
The National Skill Standards for Photonics Systems Technicians are intended to define the basic knowledge and skills of technicians who may work in any specific photonics application, such as fiber-optic communications, manufacturing/materials processing, defense/aerospace, medical equipment, university research labs, energy/environmental, integrated photonics, etc. Recommended use Colleges, photonics technician employers |
The National Precision Optics Skill Standards for Technicians – 2nd EditionDescription
This document represents the consensus of a broad cross-section of U.S. employers regarding the technical and workplace skills required of entry-level photonics technicians. It details 7 critical work functions and 8 technical skills, which employers and educators can customize to meet local industry needs. It is designed to give educators and employer advisory committees a solid foundation for generating courses and programs that will enable U.S. two-year colleges (and their feeder high schools) to produce globally competitive workers. Recommended use Educators and employers of photonics technicians |
Improving Student Retention in Photonics Technician EducationDescription
This monograph presents successful student retention strategies of seasoned photonics faculty members to other faculty members so that they may greatly increase their students’ completion rates. Recommended use Photonics faculty members |
Successful Job Placement for Technician StudentsDescription
This monograph presents successful job placement strategies in seven steps for community college instructors and their technician students based on recommendations from seasoned photonics educators and employers. Appendices include skill standards, career information, sample resume and cover letter, and advice from alumni. Recommended use Educators and employers of photonics technicians |
Photonics Program Planning Guide for High Schools (2018)Description
This guide is for high school administrators, counselors, and/or teachers who are looking for ways to provide their students with opportunities for a bright future in photonics—a fascinating, intellectually challenging, and fast-growing technical area. Photonics includes lasers and fiber optics, as well as all other technologies that use light to enhance the quality of life. Through this document, you will learn in less than 30 minutes what photonics is, the opportunities it offers your students, the requirements for offering this technology in your school, and the assistance you can receive in implementing photonics instruction. As a bonus, the document will describe the steps necessary to enhance your school’s current STEM program or implement a new one. Recommended use High school administrators, counselors, teachers |
Photonics Systems Technician Curriculum Guide (2018)Description
Curriculum guide designed to support implementation and successful teaching of Photonics Systems Technicians program and courses. Contains some information to help colleges plan new PST programs. Provides assistance to faculty who will be developing laboratories and teaching courses in the PST curriculum. Information included to assist faculty in acquiring lab equipment, designing efficient (laser-safe) lab facilities, teaching maintenance/troubleshooting, lab book preparation, and systems integration. Recommended use College faculty and adminstrators |
Career Pathways for STEM TechniciansDescription
Career Pathways for STEM Technicians is a book compiled by Dan Hull to offer a practical solution to America’s technician shortage in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Recommended use High school teachers, college faculty, and administration |