Lasers, optics, photonics, and fiber optics (LOPFO) have become the undergird of most advanced technologies. They fuel innovations that are critical to the nation’s industries—medical instrumentation, photonics-integrated circuits, telecommunications, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, and others.
Founded by the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education Program, LASER-TEC develops and sustains the workforce needed to maintain the US position as the world leader in LOPFO [1] [2].
[1] National Photonics Initiative , “Optics and Photonics: Driving US Competitiveness through Investement in Public-Private Partnerships and Workforce Development,” NPI, 2015.
[2] National Academy of Sciences; , National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, “Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future,” The National Academies Press, Washington, DC, 2007.
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Our mission is to update, maintain, and provide open access for a broad range of services and materials to secondary, post-secondary, and industry educational and training programs with the intention of continuing expansion in the robust laser, optics, photonics, and fiber optics technical workforce.
Create a comprehensive, high-performing, and responsive website that will house and distribute all LOPFO educational products funded by the NSF and other US government agencies.
Update technical content and add missing pedagogical features to standardize all curricula and streamline the infusion of the LOPFO skillsets.
Create tailored content and conduct continuous professional development events for teachers, college instructors, counselors, advisors, administrators, incumbent industry, and other members of the community to discuss best practices in LOPFO infusion and increase their technical knowledge about LOPFO.
Conduct a continuous national campaign to inform K-12 and college educators about the availability of LOPFO resources.
Conduct a continuous national campaign to bridge and engage industry with colleges offering LOPFO programs.
The role of our NVC members is to monitor the progress of the center, continuously look for opportunities to expand the goals of the center, and provide guidance for the future direction and activities of the center.
Frank
Caimi
Chief Scientist
Skycross
Rob
Campbell
Superintendent of Laser Systems Engineering
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, CA
Brian
Farnell
Facility Service Manager
CVS Logistics
Justin Jensen
Sales Manager
InfraTec infrared LLC, FL
Greg
Kepner
Co-Principal Investigator
Micro Nano Technology Education Center, CA
Nicholas
Massa
Program/Curriculum Coordinator - Optics and Photonics Technology
Springfield Technical Community College
Yvette Mattley
Principal Applications Scientist
Ocean Insight, FL
Glenn Rustay
Principal
Northport K-8 School, FL
M.J.
Soileau
Founder of CREOL
University of Central Florida, FL
John
Van Dusen
Vice President
JENOPTIK Optical Systems
Desire Whitmore
Senior Physics Educator
Exploratorium, CA