Education: The ABCs of Photonics

Laura S. Marshall, laura.marshall@laurin.com

Education is the basis of any industry, but it is especially essential in science-based fields such as photonics.

One trend that has turned up is the dearth of highly trained photonics technicians. To combat this shortage, education options are expanding both around the world and online, and instruments are being designed to be as user-friendly as possible, so that a lack of training will not automatically disqualify a job applicant.

The search for techs begins well before college graduation, however, and some programs are using robotics to encourage kids as young as elementary school age to consider science careers.