Part of NSF STELLAR Engine Partnership
The Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) is a core partner of the University of Rochester’s $31 million project to form a regional innovation engine centered around Science, Technology, and Engineering of Lasers and Laser Applications Research (STELLAR). The STELLAR Project is backed by $15 million in funding from the United States National Science Foundation (NSF) over the next two years and matched by $16 million in New York State support over six years, with the opportunity to extend the award to 10 years for a total of up to $160 million. The RMSC’s allocation of approximately $284,000 will fund the development of Optics Everywhere, a hands-on exhibition experience in collaboration with STELLAR academic and technical partners to engage public audiences and showcase laser technologies and careers.
The RMSC exhibits team has a long history of creating engaging and educational hands-on experiences for family audiences, including Rochester’s Eyes in Space and Wonders of Water.
The project will be led by Dr. Calvin Uzelmeier, who has over 30 years of experience in informal science education and has led multiple collaborative projects among academia, industry, and the RMSC. Year one will focus on concept development and iteration of hands-on exhibit experiences for Optics Everywhere, an exhibit concept drawn from RMSC’s Exhibit Master Plan. Concepts will be developed utilizing content expertise from other STELLAR partners and science engagement expertise from RMSC staff. Iterative development will continue into year two with a phased approach to final fabrication. Final fabrication will include construction of cabinetry as well as the writing and graphic design of interpretive signage for each experience, all produced in-house through RMSC’s carpentry, machining, graphic design, printing, and digital development capabilities.
Provided information
