The optics industry has seen many advances in technology and applications. Continued innovation and discovery is dependent on a stream of new researchers, engineers and technicians educated in optics. The optics community needs to play a role in understanding how these new knowledge workers are trained. As individuals, we can contribute to this process by sharing our passion for science with students of all ages.

Optical Education and Outreach brings to the optical community a forum to discuss, learn, and network for trends in education and enrichment. The conference is crafted to convey to the community a snapshot of the current state of introductory and secondary education in the field of optics. It also brings together individuals working outside the formal educational community who inspire youth to pursue the study of science and optics.

The conference recognizes the roles of formal and informal education. Formal education comprises optics education at universities, colleges, community colleges, though accreditation, lifelong learning, optics in K12 curricula, assessment tools, pedagogy and didactic methodology. Informal education includes outreach activities of student chapters, optical societies, companies and individuals. Reports from all areas of formal and informal education are welcome.

This conference will invite science and technology instructors to join the conversation to share their experiences and needs.

A special focus of this year’s conference is the reporting on events associated with the International Year of Light. IYL2015 inspired many new outreach activities we hope will endure beyond 2015. Submissions on successful programs that could be continued and replicated are encouraged.