engage, excite, educate. EXPEKT (256871) | Deliverable D2.4 | Revised Prototype | page 1 of 5

EXPEKT Photonics Explorer –

Developing a photonics educational kit

for Europe’s secondary schools

Grant Agreement number: 256871

Deliverable Report

Work Package 2

D2.4 Revised Prototype

Authors: Amrita Prasad(VUB)

Date: 6/11/2012

Distribution: EXPEKT Consortium Cristobal Irazoqui (European Commission)

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EXPEKT (256871) - Report on Deliverable

Deliverable D2.4

Revised Prototype

Submitted 6.11.2012

Workpackage involved: WP2

Contents Objective of this deliverable ............................................................................................................................................. 3

Packaging .......................................................................................................................................................................... 3

Component list .................................................................................................................................................................. 4

Didactic Framework .......................................................................................................................................................... 5

Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................................................... 5

www.photonics-explorer.eu

info@photonics-explorer.eu

pleinlaan 2 · 1050 brussels · belgium

tel +32 2629 1019

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Objective of this deliverable This deliverable provides information about the revised prototype of the Photonics Explorer kit. The revisions

were done based on feedback from the field tests reported in Deliverable D3.2 ‘Report on Field Tests and WS2’.

Packaging The first 50 prototypes of the Photonics Explorer kit used for the field tests consisted of the experimental

components and a DVD containing the didactic framework. These were provided in a plastic box to the teachers as

shown in the image below:

Figure 1: Packaging of the first prototype

However this type of packaging was not suitable since the components were not laid out ideally, the teacher had to

spend additional time to replace everything inside the box and it was not easy to do a final component count after

the lesson. Such a design would be unsuitable for the mass distribution phase.

Therefore efforts were made to design a box especially for the components. The design for the outer body of the box

is included in Annex. The final Photonics Explorer kit is shown in the image below:

Figure 2: Final packaging design for the Photonics Explorer kit

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The final design for the box of the Photonics Explorer kit has been changed to make it more suitable for teachers and

use in the classroom.

It includes separate compartments for each type of component. There is also a compartment provided for

batteries and a folding insert that houses the DVD.

The DVD has a print indicating that the material is copyrighted by EYESTvzw.

The outer area of the box consists of the Photonics Explorer logo, EU logo as well as the website. There are

images of Fyke, students working with components of the kit and it is indicated that the Photonics Explorer

is an EYESTvzw educational initiative. Thus the box is appealing and has a clear visual identity.

Each box contains a sticker with serial number on the spine. The serial number is unique to each kit and

teachers can use this number to log onto the ‘Teacher Area’ of the Photonics Explorer website (under

development) and download updates and interact on discussion forums.

The size of the box is 28x40x7 cms and the weight of one full box is about 1 kg. Teachers have indicated that

this type of box is ideal for the components since it is very easy to handle, the components are kept secure

and separate. It is easy to take a final count of components once the lesson is finished and the box is easily

transported between classrooms.

Component list The first 50 prototypes of the Photonics Explorer contained the following components:

— 10 aluminium mirrors (7x7 cm)

— 20 polarisers (7x5 cm)

— 10 colour filter sets (7x4 cm) including

— red, green, blue, cyan, magenta and yellow

— 10 LED modules with red, green and blue LEDs

— 10 sets of robust plastic lenses

— 10 foils with slit and double slit

— for optical diffraction experiments

— 10 diffraction gratings

— 2 sets of diffractive optical elements

— 5 m polymer optical fibre

— 10 eyesafe Lasers

In the revised Photonics Explorer kits the diffractive optical elements are not included mainly since these cannot be

provided as a class set within the estimated budget. Also, they were mainly used by teachers as demonstrations

rather than contributing to the didactic framework.

The polarisers in the updated kit include a frame as well as a line indicating the direction of polarisation. The frame

protects the polarisers and ensures that the edges do not cause any handling problems.

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Didactic Framework The feedback from the field tests regarding the content of the didactic framework is discussed in detail in Deliverable

3.2 ‘Report on Field Tests and WS2’. The feedback from teachers and students mainly indicated that:

No systematic changes were needed to the content of the kit. Most of the changes were

country/educational system related and would be most effectively handled by the teacher at an individual

level

The font size and spacing in the layout of the worksheets could be changed so that students had more space

for working and writing

The Eye and Vision worksheet could be changed to include more diagrams and pictures to illustrate the

concepts more clearly

The updating of the worksheets has been completed and will be available to teachers on the online ‘Teacher Area’

(under development).

Conclusion The updated version of the Photonics Explorer is based on feedback from teachers and students collected during the

field tests. The new packaging is very much appreciated by teachers, has a definite visual identity and appeal and

meets teacher needs.

The didactic content did not require any systematic changes. Any changes pertaining to content or translations could

be handled at a teacher level. Any content updates will be made available to teachers online.

Therefore the Photonics Explorer kit can be deemed ready for serial production.

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