Communication over Lasers in Ocean Research (COLOR): Bringing Navy research to the classroom

Scientists and engineers in the Electro-Optics and Special Mission Sensors division at NAVAIR have developed a hands-on activity, Communication over Lasers in Ocean Research (COLOR), to bring their Navy research to K-12 classrooms. This activity was created in response to the Navy´s interest in increasing the number of US students pursuing careers in Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) disciplines. The COLOR activity provides a way for Navy scientists and K-12 educators to excite students about lasers, optics, and how the Navy uses these tools to complete critical missions. The following paper details the various modules of the COLOR activity and how they are used to teach students and faculty about light and how it can be used to see and communicate in the underwater environment.