Thrusday, August 22nd and Friday, August 23rd, 2019, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
What: Catapalooza
Where: MSU Campus, South of Wilson Hall
About: Visit the SPIE booth at Catapalooza to learn about the student chapter at MSU. Chapter
officers and members will showcase various demos and an email sign up sheet will be
available.
Wednesday, September 11th, 2019, 5:10-6:00 PM
What: Meeting
Where: 210 Roberts Hall
Topic: At this meeting we will discuss this semester's upcoming events, including an upcoming
guest lecture, company tours, and community science research opportunities. The officers
will also demo some of the chapter's outreach setups.
Thursday, September 26th, 2019, 5:00-6:00 PM
What: Colloquium
Where: Inspiration Hall, Norm Asbjornson Hall
Speaker: Prof. James C. Wyant, University of Arizona
Title: From Professor to Inventor to Entrepreneur: The Excitement of High-Tech Innovation
Abstract: This talk will describe some experiences gained in starting and growing two optical
companies, WYKO Corporation (1984-1997) and 4D Technology (2002-2018). Both companies
designed, manufactured, and sold computerized interferometric systems for the measurement
of surface shape and surface roughness. Founding, growing, and cashing out of WYKO
was an unbelievable experience that was more fun than I ever dreamed anything could
be. It was so much fun I felt I had to do it again. Both the fun parts and the not
so fun parts for both WYKO and 4D will be discussed. The biggest surprises experienced
and what I think are the most important factors in growing a successful high-tech
company will be described. The technology for the products of both companies will
be briefly presented.
Thursday, October 10th, 2019, 5:10-6:00 PM
What: Meeting
Where: Montana Room (Norm Asbjornson Hall 359)
Speaker:Natalia Kolnik,Director of Education, Montana Science Center
About:Kolnik will discuss volunteering, outreach, and programs at the Montana Science Center. In addition, we will briefly discuss other upcoming outreach events, networking opportunities,
and company tour during this semester.
Thursday, November 7th, 2019, 5:10-6:00 PM
What: Meeting
Where: Montana Room (Norm Asbjornson Hall 359)
About: This meeting will be the last regular meeting of the semester. We will discuss the
upcoming company tour at Bridger Photonics, continued cooperation with the Montana
Science Center, and volunteering oportunities for the Science Olympiad.
Wednesday, Novbember 13th, 2019, 4:45-6:30 PM
What: Company Tour
Where: Bridger Photonics, 2310 University Way, Bozeman (People will meet in the Barnard
Hall Lobby at 4:45 pm and travel there. The tour starts at 5 pm.)
About:Bridger Photonics is a local Bozeman company founded in 2006 by three MSU alumni. They design and build
lidar systems for practical applications, namely precision industrial metrology and gas mapping. They do very exceptional and creative work using optics and photonics and have some
cool and interesting stories, so we're excited to tour their facility and hear a little
more from them. See the Bridger Photonics website here.
About:Volunteer at this event to share optics with Science Olympiad participants! Run a
booth with optics-related demonstrations and share your interest in optics with middle
school and high school students.
If interested, contact us directly and we will organize a schedule for volunteers.
The main event runs from 6 to 9 PM, with setup and teardown before and after this
time.
Tuesday, November 26th, 2019, 8:30-12:30 PM
What: Science Olympiad (Circuits Lab)
Where: 6th Floor Cobleigh Hall
About: This year the SPIE Chapter is captaining the Circuits Lab event for middle school
students from across Montana. Volunteers are needed to help proctor the written and
hands-on tests for circuits. Volunteers will also get free lunch from Avogadro's.
