Educators and Optics Professionals
The Hands-On Optics program focuses on education in informal settings such as before- and
after-school programs, boys and girls clubs, community centers, science centers, and museums.
While the materials meet science education standards, the HOO program is not intended to
replace traditional science curriculums. To be eligible to participate, educators must certify
that the HOO activities will be used in an informal education setting. In conjunction with an
informal education program, they may also be used to augment classroom resources.
Optics resource volunteers must commit to work with their partner educator, including preparation
time, roughly 40 hours a year. The program model also requires both educator training and pairing
each educator with a volunteer who is an optics professional. To facilitate this, the program creates
centers of activity—geographic clusters in areas where a significant number of educators and
volunteers are interested in participating.
Click here for information on training sessions in your area.
Corporations and Institutions
There are many ways corporations and institutions can support the Hands-On Optics program. You
can provide optics resource volunteers to participate in the HOO program or help to reach more
student faster by sponsoring HOO kits and professional development for schools in your local,
region, or state. to discuss your interest in supporting HOO.