2025 Optical Sciences Winter School
The new year began with the 2025 Optical Sciences Winter School running from January 7 - 10 at the Wyant College of Optical Sciences. More than 50 undergraduates from across the country attended. Students visited from institutions including the American University, Colgate Univ., Delaware State Univ., Illinois Weslyan Univ., Rochester Institute of Technology and many more!
The first two days featured lectures by Wyant College faculty on the fundamentals and applications of optics in image science, optical physics, photonics, and optical engineering. Additionally, attending students participated in a Poster Session at Bear Down Gymnasium on Jan. 8. Sixteen posters were presented, all from participants outside the U of A. Posters were judged and a winning poster was selected! Madeleine Bartin, Evelyn Bristol, and Alexandra Friedman from American University, created and presented the winning poster, "Characterization of an Electro-Optic Etalon." Congratulations!
The final two days featured talks from external speakers as well as Wyant College of Optical Sciences alumni speaking on a panel about careers in optics. Students majoring in a wide range of fields learned about opportunities throughout the country for graduate degrees and career paths in optics and photonics. Additionally, students had the opportunity to visit the Steward Observatory Mirror Lab under the Arizona football stadium (see pictures below!). Overall, the winter school was a wonderful opportunity to learn about the many amazing opportunities offered by a career in optical sciences. Find the full 2025 Agenda here.
Optical Sciences Winter School is made possible by this year's sponsors: DeMund Foundation, Gretler Foundation, SPIE, Optica, State of Arizona Technology and Research Initiative Fund, and the James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences.
