Our Initiatives
Discover the various programs and initiatives we run to make a difference in optics, photonics, and beyond.
Women in STEM
An outreach workshop introducing young girls to science and technology at a formative stage. Through hands-on activities spanning optics, physics, chemistry, and robotics — diffraction glasses, coloured shadows, magnetic fields, IR sensors, slime making, and a line-following robot — students explored STEM in an engaging, approachable way, guided by SPIE members throughout.
- Interactive experiments in optics and physics
- Chemistry and robotics demonstrations
- Encouraging curiosity and confidence in STEM
- Fostering inclusivity in scientific exploration
Robotics Workshop
A hands-on session focused on how Arduino works and communicates, giving students a solid conceptual foundation before moving to practical work. Students collaborated in groups to build four mini-projects, culminating in a fully functional object-avoidance robot — each team assembling and demonstrating their prototypes from scratch.
- Conceptual introduction to Arduino and microcontrollers
- Group-based hands-on project building
- Progressive mini-projects leading to a final robot
- Student-assembled and demonstrated prototypes
Astronomy Wing
An observational session that demonstrated the dynamic, ever-changing nature of planetary motion. Participants engaged in discussions on telescopes, space exploration, and planetary science, with conversations extending to the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The session blended live observation with scientific dialogue, fostering curiosity and interest in space science.
- Live sky observation sessions
- Discussions on telescopes and space exploration
- Planetary science and motion demonstrations
- Conversations on astrobiology and extraterrestrial life
