Thorlabs makes the best Teammate!

I love Thorlabs!  I always have, since day one.  It’s a company that speaks to me.  I mean Lab Snacks, say no more.

It is a cool trend to dump on corporations.  And I am sure there are some bad ones out there.  But there are also some amazing corporations out there.  And they don’t get enough press.  Thorlabs has been the best partners over the years.  They are committed to community in surprising ways. 

For example, Thorlabs has this bus where they drive it around the country and help students learn about optics.  They go everywhere, high schools, colleges, everywhere!  For many young students this may be one of their only opportunities to learn outside of the classroom about how they can turn mathematics and science into a rewording and lucrative career.  (Informal science experiences are critical for young people’s professional development.)  The bus costs a ton of money.  The amazing staff that runs these events cost a ton of money.  The gas and other travel resources used to go to community to community cost a ton of money.  Thorlabs has made a committee to education!  Thorlabs makes it happen!

We have continued to partner on informal educational experiences for young people.  They are one of my biggest supporters.  They do so much for me.  Just this week:

• They agreed to play a huge role in Cosmic Pathways NYC (https://cosmicpathways.org/cp2026/)
• They helped my high school research student with a technical problem
• They provided me with a super timely small grant to help with our activities.  Unsolicited!  It just showed up in my email!

When was the last time you were stuck in traffic at a toll booth?  Seriously?  It was last week for me because Indiana still has classic toll booths.  When we listen to the doomsayers and the nightly news it feels like everything is falling part.  But here is this little technological advance that is saving you real time and meaningfully reducing greenhouse emissions every day.  It is changing the world in a positive way.  It may feel like the world is ending but there are good people out there making a difference and changing the world in positive ways.  That is 100% how I feel partnering with Thorlabs. 

Thank you Thorlabs!