The International Day of Light is celebrated annually on May 16th to commemorate the importance of light in science, art, and culture. The day raises awareness of light-based technologies and the scientific and cultural significance of light. The date, May 16th, was chosen because it is the anniversary of the first successful operation of the laser in 1960 by physicist and engineer, Theodore Maiman. 

The International Day of Light has been recognized since 2018 and is an initiative of UNESCO. According to UNESCO, the goal of the International Day of Light is to “highlight to the citizens of the world the importance of light and optical technologies in their lives, for their futures, and for the development of society.”

Light is an essential part of our lives and has numerous applications in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). It is used in communication, medicine, energy, security, entertainment, and many other fields. Understanding the properties of light and how it interacts with matter is critical to the advancement of these areas

IEEE TryEngineering promotes STEM education to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. One area of focus for IEEE TryEngineering is optics and photonics, which are critical to the development of technologies such as cameras, lasers, and fiber optics. For a number of free hands-on activities, articles, and more, explore the IEEE TryEngineering Photonics Student Guide. You can also check out our new TryEngineering Telecommunications Engineering Webpage which includes links to photonics resources such as An Eye on Optics Lesson Plan. From smartphone applications and laser shows to solar power and biomedical advancements, photonics is making our world a better place!

IEEE TryEngineering provides students with access to online resources, events, and classroom activities to learn about engineering concepts and how they apply in real-world situations. Check out what you can find today!