SPIE Produces 'Optics: Light at Work' DVD for Youngsters

Bellingham, Wash.-based SPIE, The International Society for Optical Engineering, announced the release of its DVD, "Optics: Light at Work," designed to encourage young people to pursue science and engineering careers in fields such as optics and photonics. The DVD serves as a beginning career orientation to the field of optical engineering and is designed to be upbeat and informative to capture 12- and 13-year-old students' interest in optics, the society said. The short film provides examples of new technologies such as nanomedicine, space telescopes, invisibility and solar energy, with an emphasis on exhibiting curiosity, being challenged by problem-solving and the fun of creating things that people need, SPIE said, through the experiences of young male and female scientists of many cultural backgrounds, races and nationalities. With the film, SPIE said it hopes to increase the number and diversity of students who take advanced science and math courses and then go on to pursue science and engineering careers. SPIE is offering the DVD free of charge. To obtain a copy, e-mail pascale@spie.org, or download the video at www.spie.org/opticslightatwork