Help SPIE make a difference: vote for a project

SPIE provided more than $3.2 million in support of education and outreach programs in 2012. Now, in line with the society's altruistic mission, an open vote on three projects gives SPIE members and constituents a chance to help direct funding for future projects.

Voting may be done online, via smartphone, on Twitter, or in person at the Photonics for a Better World booth at SPIE Optics and Photonics in San Diego. The booth will be part of the exhibition running 27-29 August.

Projects open for voting include:

• ALOP: Active Learning in Optics and Photonics, an international teacher training program
• Child ViSion, providing self-adjustable glasses through school-based programs in Africa
• Laser Roadshow, engaging elementary and middle-school children in science through a laser show.

See the web page for complete voting information: http://spie.org/x94948.xml.

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Activities such as science fairs (above) give students a chance to learn more about science through lessons and exploration of optics and photonics. SPIE supports sciences fairs and other projects as part of the society's educational mission.

Read more about SPIE's outreach and education programs here: http://spie.org/x32901.xml, and catch up on reports of recent projects at these links:

Biophotonics graduate summer school on Ven continues tradition of success

SPIE judges award prizes, gain inspiration at Intel International Science and Engineering Fair

Learning about light: education outreach projects funded in 10 countries through first round of SPIE grants

SPIE teams with Prismatic Magic to bring laser shows to K-12th grade students

SPIE-sponsored biophotonics school in Brazil looks at cancer treatment, disease control

SPIE co-sponsors ICTP Winter College on lasers for science, medicine, and industry

SPIE member-driven programs 'give back' via global STEM outreach and education in 2012

Next stop is Armenia, for ALOP volunteers sharing hands-on approach to teaching optics and photonics