June 11, 2004

 

 

Dear Hands-On Optics Optics Resource Agent:

 

Thank you for volunteering to participate in Hands-On Optics: Making an Impact with Light project. The project is a collaboration among the Optical Society of America (OSA), the International Society for Optical Engineering (SPIE), the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) and Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) under a grant from the National Science Foundation.   This letter will provide initial information on the event that will take place July 9-11, 2004. 

 

Event description:  Twenty teachers and 20 Optics Resource Agents (ORAs) will attend the 3-day training. Attendees will gain hands on instruction on implementation of the first three optics modules; laser pointers, building a kaleidoscope and experiments with infrared beams. Three additional modules will be added in 2005.  The pairing of a teacher and ORA is a unique feature of the project for training and throughout implementation of the modules.   After the training, teachers will coordinate with their MESA directors and you, the ORA to pilot the modules in their respective regions.  Instructors for the training will be Dr. Stephen Pompea and Dr. Connie Walker from the NOAO Observatory in Tucson, AZ.

 

Place:  University of Southern California (USC)

            University Park

            Waite Phillips Hall, Room B30

            Los Angeles, CA

 

Schedule: A draft schedule for the event can be found in the second attachment accompanying this message.

 

Map of USC :   A campus map is available to you at this USC website: http://www.usc.edu/about/visit/upc/driving_directions/

 

Parking:  Parking permits will be provided at USC. Your name must be on the participant list to get a permit.  Drivers should enter Gate 3 from Figueroa Street.  The name of the event is “MESA Optics”. If you plan to have your own car, please advise me so I can arrange for a campus parking permit.

 

Meals:  A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided every day at the training.   

 

Dress:  Dress in comfortable clothes suitable for the campus and for completing hands on activities.  Expect the weather to be hot, but you may need a sweater or light jacket for evenings by the coast.

 

 Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you at the Hands-On Optics Training!

 

Regards,

 

June Thompson

HOO Manager

 

 

 

 

Hands-On Optics Teacher Training and Development

University of Southern California (USC)

University Park, Waite Phillips Hall, Room B30

Los Angeles, CA

July 9-11, 2004

 

DRAFT* WORKSHOP SCHEDULE* DRAFT

 

 

 

Thursday afternoon/evening – Washington MESA teachers and Optical Resource Agents arrive

 

Friday 9 July

 

10:00 – 10:30               Coffee, welcome and introductions

10:30 – Noon               Pre-training evaluation for teachers/Start Intro to Optics

Noon- 1:00                  Lunch Break

1:00- 3:00                    Intro to Optics continued (90 minutes)

3:00- 3:15                    Coffee Break

3:15- 4:45                    Intro to Modules           (90 Minutes)

 

 

Saturday 10 July

 

8-8:30                          Continental breakfast

8:30 – 10 am                Module work (90 Minutes)

10- 10:30                     Coffee break

10:30 – noon                continue Module training(90 Minutes)

Noon- 1                       Lunch Break

1:00- 3:00                    Module work (90 Minutes)

3:00- 3:15                    Coffee Break

3:15-4:45                     Continue Module training (90 Minutes)

 

Sunday 11 July

 

8:30-9                          Continental breakfast

9:00-11:30                   Review/Practice Modules

11:30-Noon                 Lunch (box lunch in the room)

Noon- 2:00                  Practice/Wrap up

2:00-3:00                     Post training Evaluation

Depart