Otago Optics Chapter

Otago Optics Chapter A group of Otago Physics Students interested in the world of optics and keen to promote it through o

OSA (the Optical Society of America) and SPIE (the international society for optics and photonics) are two separate professional societies for the worldwide Optics and Photonics community: scientists, educators, engineers, technicians, students and business leaders. Members of both societies have access to a range of benefits and valuable career-building opportunities, like travel grants, scholar

ships, scientific journals, and networking opportunities. Both societies support Student Chapters, networks of students from a particular institution or country with an interest in optics and photonics who come together to organise and participate in professional development, social and outreach activities locally, nationally and globally. OSA and SPIE support their respective student chapters primarily by providing funding for these activities, as well as guidance and support. In the Physics Department here at Otago we first became involved with OSA when the University OSA Student Chapter was established in 2009. The chapter ran lots of events, including student symposiums, pizza parties, sangria nights and most notably, IONS KOALA 2010. In 2012, the executive committee discovered SPIE and
decided to establish the Otago University SPIE Student Chapter (the first and only SPIE chapter in NZ!) Initially the two chapters were co-run, but held some events separately. More recently we have “re-branded” as a single joint entity, the Otago Optics Chapter, and events are typically jointly funded by both societies. The aims of the chapter are to enhance the promotion of optics and photonics at Otago and beyond through a strong student community. We run social events like pizza parties and pool competitions, optics outreach programmes and festivals within the University of Otago and the wider community, and professional development events like student symposiums and (occasionally) larger conferences, like IONS KOALA 2015! Our biggest annual community events are the Capture Science Photo Competition and the Optics Outreach Trip to rural and low decile primary schools in the South Island, where we explore the "colours in white light" theme and get children excited about science in general. Members of OSA and SPIE are invited to (and encouraged to help organise) all of our events, and additionally are entitled to apply for various student grants and discounts on conference registrations, have access to a range of online journals, and become part of an international optics and photonics community which provides all kinds of professional support. It's also a lot of fun and you'll make some great friends :)

If you work in optics/photonics related fields at the University of Otago and are interested in joining our chapter or becoming involved in some other way, please feel free to message us on here or send us an email: [email protected]

Also feel free to contact us if you'd like to talk to us about community outreach, visits to our labs, or anything else!

🍕🎲 A great evening of pizza, board games, and good company! Thanks to everyone who joined us and helped make the event s...
01/07/2026

🍕🎲 A great evening of pizza, board games, and good company! Thanks to everyone who joined us and helped make the event so much fun. We hope to see you at our next OPTICA gathering!

🎉 As we near the holiday season, the Optica Otago team is excited to share a little glimpse of our year! 🌟From inspiring...
22/12/2025

🎉 As we near the holiday season, the Optica Otago team is excited to share a little glimpse of our year! 🌟
From inspiring talks and hands-on workshops to fun social gatherings, it’s been a fantastic journey filled with learning, collaboration, and great memories. 💡🔬
Check out this short video capturing some of our favourite moments — a big thank you to everyone who has been part of our community in 2025! ❤️

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSPpNULD1/

Here’s to more science, light, and friendship in the new year! ✨

Check out MJ Chem’s video.

Proud of our OPTICA members at DWC symposium in Wellington! 🍻Everyone delivered nice poster or oral presentations, shari...
01/12/2025

Proud of our OPTICA members at DWC symposium in Wellington! 🍻

Everyone delivered nice poster or oral presentations, sharing great ideas and strong research progress.

So happy to see our team shine together! 👏👏👏

# Halo Project Planting Day.It's time of year again where it will be a "good day to plant" at Doctors Point on Sunday 1...
26/06/2025

# Halo Project Planting Day.
It's time of year again where it will be a "good day to plant" at Doctors Point on Sunday 15 June.

That's an interesting experience.

Optica members from university of Otago are joining this public service activities. Make the world a better place. :-) OPTICA

Tirama Mai Outreach event in Christchurch (18-22nd June)Amazing optical phenomena. Does anyone know what the principle o...
26/06/2025

Tirama Mai Outreach event in Christchurch (18-22nd June)

Amazing optical phenomena. Does anyone know what the principle of optics is? :-)

for all platforms💡 On Bluesky
15/06/2025

for all platforms
💡 On Bluesky

Brilliant Experience. Thanks for all joining us to share optical interesting experience to people and children. ❤️The Mu...
18/05/2025

Brilliant Experience.

Thanks for all joining us to share optical interesting experience to people and children. ❤️

The Museum event on Saturday 17th May.

The Otago Optica Student's chapter has been revived! And to start things off, our first activity was at Polyfest in Auck...
15/04/2025

The Otago Optica Student's chapter has been revived!

And to start things off, our first activity was at Polyfest in Auckland from April 2nd to 5th.
We teamed up with Te Whai Ao - Dodd-Walls Centre and Tūhura Museum, and showcased a series of exciting outreach activities exploring the wonders of quantum physics, optics, and photonics.

The kids especially loved the hands-on parts and asked some brilliant questions! Our passionate Optica members patiently guided participants through each setup, sharing stories and insights about science behind the scenes. 🌟

Be sure to spread the word and encourage others to follow us!

That marks the end of this year's photo comp! 🎉 A huge thanks to every who got involved 👏Judging will take place over th...
28/08/2022

That marks the end of this year's photo comp! 🎉 A huge thanks to every who got involved 👏

Judging will take place over the next two weeks 🥇🥈🥉 and selected entries will be on display at the Otago Museum from the 26th - 30th of September 🖼️

📷 by Oshadha Perera from the 2021 competition

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University Of Otago
Otago
9016

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