Illuminating math with optics

Abstract

Forty-five high school students engaged in hands-on optics applications of pre-calculus topics. Pre-and post-testing was conducted to determine changes in attitudes towards mathematics education. Experiments were performed in community college labs and in the high school classroom, facilitated by college and high school faculty and with the assistance of SPIE student chapter members. We will describe the structure and activities of the four-month program and pre/post test results. © 2014 SPIE.