Project PHOTON: A curriculum development, teacher enhancement and laboratory development project Available to Purchase

A federal study conducted by the Center for Occupational Research and Development (CORD) found that approximately 350,000 photonics technicians were employed in the United States, and it was expected that approximately 740,000 photonics technicians would be needed by the year 2000. Yet, there are only two New England community-technical currently offering photonics technology degrees at the associate degree level, (Three Rivers Community College, Conn., and Springfield Technical Community College, Mass.) which, in total, graduate fewer than 50 technicians per year. In addition, studies have shown that very few students choose physics as a high school science. If this situation continues, the emerging field of photonics and the overall fields of engineering and technology will be out of reach for most students.