About
28 May 2009
LaserFest Receives NSF and DOE Funding
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Lyndsay Meyer
The Optical Society
+1.202.416.1435
lmeyer@osa.org
James Riordon
American Physical Society
301.209.3238
riordon@aps.org
LaserFest Receives NSF and DOE Funding
Agencies Award $300,000 to Support Educational Outreach Initiatives
WASHINGTON, May 28 – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) have awarded LaserFest, a celebration in 2010 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first working laser, $300,000 to fund educational outreach activities. With $150,000 from each agency, LaserFest will use the grants for educational programs about the products and services made possible by laser technology, the wide-ranging career opportunities afforded by laser innovation, as well as the importance of ongoing scientific research and development for addressing societal needs.
A science community collaboration, LaserFest will recognize and honor the accomplishments of the pioneers who made possible the discovery, development and application of the laser, as well as inform students, educators, legislators, funding agencies and the general public about the impact of the laser and the importance of scientific and technological innovation. Educational outreach will focus on raising awareness of today’s laser technologies and tomorrow’s possibilities.
“By the time you eat lunch, you may have used 10 laser products and not even know it,” said John Hall, Nobel Laureate and a member of the LaserFest technical advisory committee. “The scientists who invented the laser never dreamed that this technology would have such a profound impact, but laser technologies are embedded as a part of our lives. And, through the beauty of scientific R&D, there will be so many more developments. Ongoing research in the field is exploding and new technological possibilities are arising every day. From medicine and surgery to manufacturing and consumer entertainment and beyond, there’s so much potential for all that lasers are and can be.”
A significant goal of LaserFest is to raise awareness among students and the general public about the laser, its contributions and future possibilities. To help achieve that objective, DOE and NSF funding will support the development of the following activities:
- LaserFest on the Road – This program is designed to be a series of traveling laser technology demonstration shows aimed at middle-school audiences.
- Laser Days – Focusing on reaching the general public, Laser Days will consist of local events celebrating the use of the lasers in everyday life.
- Videos – LaserFest will produce online video segments focusing on the roles of laser technology to expand awareness and understanding of laser technology.
- Educational Materials – Classroom-ready materials, including a laser diffraction activity module, activity guides, posters and “physics in action” laser features, will be created and distributed to classrooms around the country.
- Public Outreach and Special Events – Plans for several special events are in consideration for LaserFest, and potentially include a discussion of the colorful story of the laser, its history, and its multiple roles in basic science, medicine, commerce and industry; a symposium on the cutting-edge science that is currently being done with the laser; an exhibition of commercial products that use the laser in essential ways; and a laser demonstration show.
As a science community program, LaserFest partners, including the Optical Society (OSA) and the American Physical Society (APS), encourage widespread involvement by all scientific professional societies, companies, academic institutions and conferences to participate and plan events as part of LaserFest. For more information on how to participate, visit www.LaserFest.org.
About LaserFest
LaserFest, a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the laser, emphasizes the laser’s impact throughout history and highlights its potential for the future. Through a series of events and programs, LaserFest showcases the prominence of the laser in today's world. For more information, visit www.LaserFest.org.###
