Getting young people into the optics and photonics field is vital to the fast growing industry.
On June 19th, Alexis Vogt, PhD, Endowed Chair & Associate Professor of Optics at Monroe Community College, worked with local Physics teachers on their high school optics and photonics recruitment and curriculum strategies. The day included a visit to the Laboratory for Laser Energetics.
The number of students completing the programs at MCC and the UR is far below the demand just in the Rochester and Finger Lakes region alone.
The following schools are participating:
East High School, Eastridge High School, Edison Career and Technology High School, Gates Chili Central School District, Greece Olympia High School, Hilton High School, Penfield Central School Districtl, Rochester City School District, Rush–Henrietta Senior High School, Webster Schroeder High School, Webster Thomas High School, West Irondequoit CSD, and Young Women’s College Prep Charter School of Rochester (YWCP).
The high school programs are a pipeline for various programs offered at MCC and the University of Rochester:
– Optical Systems Technology A.A.S. (Associate of Applied Science).
– Optical Systems Technology Certificate Program.
– 2+2 Bachelor of Science in Optics, Partnering with University of Rochester Institute of Optics, Rochester Institute of Technology, and The University of Arizona
