Who Will Use the Lab?

We envision student participation in projects in the lab to fall into several categories.

• School of Rhetoric Students in the Laser Optics Society

In the fall 2009 we will inaugurate the Laser Optics Society for interested Regents School of Rhetoric students. At regular times each week before and after school we will meet together to work on setting up experiments in the lab. Highly interested students will be able to spend almost as much time as they wish researching or working on projects in the lab, while other students may want to participate occasionally. Together we will explore the new equipment, set it up, and devote ourselves to making it work successfully. This type of work always involves a lot of troubleshooting, one of the most valuable lab skills any student can develop. When something doesn't work like we thought it would, we will get busy asking more questions and figuring it out. We will certainly not be performing canned projects out of a box. Everything will be assembled ourselves using high quality optical equipment and devices. We anticipate a steep learning curve.

Students will receive specific instruction in light, optics, and optical devices necessary for the projects they are working on. Additionally, we will occasionally invite scientists to give us talks on relevant technologies that will help us make our experiments successful.

When we achieve success on a new project, we will open up the lab and invite other interested students or parents to come see what's going on.

• Students in science courses throughout Regents School

Over the months and years ahead will we work out specific ways that the Laser Optics Lab can be connected to studies in students' regular science classes in the Grammar School, the School of Logic, and the School of Rhetoric. Initially, this will be easiest to do in physical science and physics, followed by chemistry and crystallography. Down the road, after we have developed the needed expertise, we hope to be able to begin using the lab for biological and biochemical studies.

At each step of the way, we will identify connection points where students can come to the lab as part of their study to witness demonstrations that will enhance the curriculum in their courses. If possible, we will have Laser Optics Society members participate in, or perhaps lead, the presentations to other students.

• Students at other institutions

Once the lab is up and running (after the first year or two) we will look for opportunities to invite students from other schools to visit our facility. Once again, it is our intention to have our own Laser Optics Society members participate in or lead demonstrations for visitors.

• New elective courses?

I am frequently asked if we intend to start an optics course for School of Rhetoric students. At this time, we are not planning to do this. However, as our school grows, and as the lab program develops, who knows what may happen down the road?