Optics Workshop!

On Saturday, September 12th, All Girls Stem Society hosted an Optics workshop at the Mira Mesa Library. The girls were introduced to light and colors, chromatics, optics, and photonics, along with three astonishing women in STEM, Erika Cremer, Estelle Glancy, and Donna Strickland. 

For the first part of the workshop, they learned about light, why we see color, and the difference between reflection and absorption. To demonstrate how white light is made of all colors, the girls got to see how when light is shown through a paper slit onto a prism, the light separates into all the colors of the rainbow.
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After discussing chromatics and chromatography, the girls experimented to see what would happen to colors drawn on a piece of coffee filter when the end was dipped into water. One girl observed that “The water makes the colors seep into different colors and patterns.” 

Next, the girls learned about how we see light, the definition of optics, and optical illusions. Everyone received a packet with optical illusions that they could attempt to recreate and create their own. One girl stated, “My favorite optical illusion was the impossible shape.” True to its name, the shape was impossible to recreate, or at the very least, extremely difficult. One participant shared, “It's really interesting how the optical illusions are tricking your brain, and you have to think a lot when trying to recreate them.”  
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After a short lecture on how photonics is related to generating, controlling, and using light, all of the participants got to create their own kaleidoscope! By using mirrors, cardboard tubes, paper and plastic circles, beads and confetti, and a whole lot of tape, everyone was able to create an original and beautiful device. One girl said, “I think it's interesting how there are 3 mirrors, but you see like 20 different perspectives,” when she noticed how the position of the mirrors inside the tubes made what was seen on the other end appear to be multiplied. Another stated, “I think it's cool how there are so many different colors in there, and the mirrors reflect to make it look like there is so much more.” 

The Optics workshop was fun, engaging, and really illuminated the world of light, color, and vision for all of the participants. Thank you to all of the volunteers, leadership, and the girls for starting this school year with such an amazing workshop!