Illustrate the power of light and spark interest in diverse optics and photonics career pathways through the compelling narratives of a planet hunter, sci-fi nerd, and student researcher. Hear their stories in their own voices in these International Day of Light videos produced in a collaboration between SPIE, Optica, and IEEE Photonics.
Computational Imaging Lab
Fun optics demos and activities from UC Berkeley
Deceiving Art: A Guide to Stereograms
How they work and instructions to create your own - includes grade-specific lesson plans
Diffraction Glasses: What's in a Color?
Lesson plan for diffraction grating glasses
Dumpster Optics
Inquiry-based activities illustrating basic optics concepts using inexpensive, commonly found material
Make Your Own 3D Glasses
Free lesson plans, activities, labs, and experiments focused on Light, Lasers, Optics, Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation
Make Your Own 3D Glasses
Simple Wiki-How instructions for making a pair of 3D glasses
NASA Educator Guide
Light and Color activities for grades K-12
TeAchnology
Waves, sound, and optics lesson plans
A Kid's Guide to Light
A listing of activities and resources for young people interested in learning about light and adults interested in helping them
Bibliography of Classical Optics
Approximately 1,500 titles, compiled by Douglas Goodman, Polaroid Corp (1980-1993), PDF format 230K
B-Photonics
Exciting photonics STEM projects
Exploring Optics
A hands-on curriculum that teaches about light waves and their associated technical applications
Optics 4 Kids
A website for students, teachers, and parents devoted to everything optics
Photon terrace
A fun website from Hamamatsu to learn about light
Photonics
Technical applications of light - Infographics explaining photonics
Prismatic Magic
Laser programs to bring to your school
Science, Optics, & You
Free standards-based, interdisciplinary curriculum package for elementary students and teachers to explore light, color, and optics
The Exploratorium Science Snacks
Activity "snacks" about light
Khan Academy: Convex Lenses
Explanation and examples on YouTube
Khan Academy: Concave Lenses
Explanation and examples on YouTube
Khan Academy: Refraction and Snell's Law
Explanation and examples on YouTube
Khan Academy: Refraction in Water
Explanation and examples on YouTube
Khan Academy: Snell's Law Examples 1
Explanation and examples on YouTube
Khan Academy: Total Internal Reflection
Explanation and examples on YouTube
#thefuturedependsonoptics
Educational TikToks from Edmund Optics
Light Blox Instructional Video
Free videos hosted on YouTube
The Hubble Site
Spectacular pictures of stars, galaxies, nebulae and more
Jet Propulsion Lab
NASA JPL site with videos, games, and projects about outer space, the solar system, and space exploration
Visions of the Future posters
Nine artists, designers, and illustrators partnered with JPL to design 14 posters all available to download
Look Up to the Stars
Traveling Astronomy
Britannica Kids
Good diagram and simple explanation of a hologram
How to Make a Hologram
Wiki instructions to make a 3-D hologram. It’s easier than you think!
Scouts
Engineering merit badge
Center for the Advancement of Engineering Education
Research in engineering learning and teaching
Discover Engineering
Information about Engineers Week, self-guided tutorials content, and activities for volunteers and educators
Engineering is Elementary (EiE)
Aims to foster engineering and technological literacy among children
TeachEngineering
Browse standards based K-12 curriculum modules
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering
Science education materials to introduce varied topics related to engineering for health
A Guide to Robotics Technology
Description and history of robotics
What Is Engineering?
Fun video intended to attract high school students to the engineering profession
Design Squad
PBS KIDS website
The Exploratorium
Website of San Francisco's 21st century learning laboratory at Pier 15
GT Labs
Comics that tell true stories about scientists
Integrated Teaching and Learning Program & Laboratory
University of Colorado at Boulder
Kids' Science Challenge
An annual competition for 3rd to 6th graders to submit experiments and problems for REAL scientists and engineers to solve
NASA STEM activities and resources
Teaching materials covering thousands of science, technology, engineering, and math topics
National Science Teachers Association
Website with books and resources for all levels, conference and professional development, and information about the Next Generation Science Standards
USA Science and Engineering Festival
Expos and activities on science and engineering
American Physical Society Educational Resources
Programs like Physicists To-Go, Step Up, and PhysicsQuest to inspire others with physics
Measurement and calibration training
Courses covering a range of metrology topics
Sally Ride Science
From astrobiology to zoology, Sally Ride Science is all science, all the time
When Things Get Small
Emmy Award-winning video takes a comical look at nanoscience
Engineering Careers
Engineering is a versatile career. Check out the many ways engineers make a difference in our lives.
Photonics Careers
Advice from leaders in the optics and photonics community
Photonics Engineering
A behind-the-scenes look at photonics engineers' day-to-day work
Possible through Light
International Day of Light-themed profiles of three different people making a difference through their work in optics and photonics
Engineer Girl
National Academy of Engineering website designed to bring national attention to the exciting opportunities engineering offers to girls and women
Science Club for Girls
STEM programs for girls from underrepresented communities
Women @ NASA
Resource developed to encourage young women to pursue careers in math, science, and technology
