SPIE booth at USA Science and Engineering Festival draws all-ages crowd

Washington, DC, and Bellingham, WA--SPIE's booth at the USA Science and Engineering Festival (held April 28–29 in Washington, DC) drew attendees of all ages with its hands-on demonstrations of optics and photonics technology, including a giant kaleidoscope, laser graffiti, and ultraviolet beads. The organization served as an official partner of the festival.

Hosted by Lockheed Martin in cooperation with more than 500 science organizations, the festival—for which SPIE served as an official partner—drew more than 150,000 visitors to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

SPIE participated in the Festival Finale Expo kick-off with an invitation-only "Sneak Peek Friday" on April 27 for underserved schools, homeschoolers, military families, and House and Senate members.

SPIE Three Rivers Student Chapter members Cody Shukis, Josh Turner, Matt Bradnan, and Kimberly Amaya helped staff the SPIE booth, along with SPIE Fellows Carmiña Londoño and Mike Postek and members Andrea Rosales-Garcia and Christopher Baldwin.

SPIE programs aim to further science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, including scholarships and educational outreach programs; Student Chapters; tools for educators and students, including hands-on projects, videos, and posters; and others.