Experiencing Photonics: An Experimental Concept to Inspire the Next Generation of University and High School Students

Photonic technologies represent central key enabling technologies for both research and industry, significantly shaping our daily lives in numerous ways. From a physics education perspective, photonics experiments are particularly attractive because they provide a more accessible and visual approach to modern technologies – for instance, in contrast to superconducting components in quantum technologies. However, academic and school curricula often lack the time for intensive, and above all, practical engagement with this field. Since sustainable interest among learners only develops through direct encounters and active exploration of a subject, a experimental concept has been developed to convey selected topics in photonics to both university students and high school students. To address the insufficient practical presence of optical technologies, various experiments are offered alongside didactically prepared materials. These modules can be flexibly integrated into university courses or student laboratory visits. This contribution presents the overall concept, provides initial insights into experiments focusing on polarization, and discusses future ideas for expanding the portfolio. 112