Abstract
Today, optics and photonics are widely regarded as among the key technologies for this century. Many experts even anticipate that the 21st century will be the century of the photon – much as the 20th century was the century of the electron. Optics and photonics technologies have impact on nearly all areas of our life and cover a wide range of applications in science and industry, e.g. in information and communication technology, in production, medicine, life science engineering as well as in energy and environmental technology.
However, even if so attractive, photonics is not well known by the majority of people. In order to motivate especially the young generation for optics and photonics we took part already two times in the “Night of science" event with a lecture about optical data transmission. We prepared many practical activities and experiments to explain how modern communication through the optical network works. Combining hands-on teaching with having fun while learning about the basic optics concepts we aroused interest of not only the children but also the parents, with a very positive feedback.
The "Night of science" is the only nation-wide research event in Austria where the institutions make science accessible to a wide population. Its objective is to present science and research in an innovative, understandable and entertaining way. In the frame of interactive presentations, lectures, guided tours and interactive stations, people of any age can discuss with researchers their latest research results and can perform their own experiments.
Author Information
D. Seyringer, Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences, Austria
C. Burtscher, Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences, Austria
G. Piredda, Josef Ressel Zentrum, Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences, Austria
A. Prasad, Zumtobel Lighting GmbH, Austria
J. Zehetner, Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences, Austria
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