FOTEP

The first of the NEBHE photonics-related ATE projects increased the number of secondary schools and colleges (primarily two-year community colleges) prepared to introduce fiber optics technology to their students.  Over a period of 30 months, the project’s principal investigators worked with teachers and faculty from more than 40 schools in a series of workshops, providing curriculum, materials, technical assistance and a unique opportunity to network with other educators and fiber optic industry personnel.

FOTEP Outcomes:

• Fiber optic units taught by program participants grew from six to 26.
• Number of courses specifically on fiber optics grew from three to seven.
• An entire associate degree program in fiber optics was established at one community college in Connecticut.
• Over 60% of FOTEP faculty participants built contacts and partnerships with local fiber optics businesses.
• Strong collaboration between high school and college level instructors promoted.
• A lab kit was developed for fiber optic laboratory experiments.
• A set of fiber optics instructional materials was developed.