OUTREACH

Research into nanoscale and quantum photonics is essential for preparing future scientists to implement the discoveries of the next photonic and quantum revolution into technologies that will benefit mankind. Also, the speed at which we collect data, as well as the sheer volume and variety of that data, and our ability to process these datasets are profoundly changing all aspects of our lives.

Our goal is to help our community navigate these complex changes, teach the younger generation data fluency and critical thinking, and hopefully inspire them to be future scientists!

We partner with several governmental and private agencies in the Birmingham area and Central Alabama to host few events yearly, focused on optics, sustainable energy and nanotechnology. We have recently initiated an optics program at Tech Trek, a summer program for middle-school female students created by AAUW and UAH. This program was developed in partner with Professor Chen (UAB faculty) and supervised by Professor Gaede (UAH faculty). We also partner with CORD, the Center for Community Outreach Development at UAB, to assist the Physics Bridge program and develop optics exhibitions at the McWane Science Center.

Currently, we are partnering with CORD to develop NanoBridge, a summer program on nanotechnology for high-school students. Follow us on twitter for most recent updates!

Funding

We are grateful for the support from the Physics Department at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Alabama EPSCoR (EPScoR) and Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU via the Ralph Powe Faculty Award).