50 Years of looking at the Future
Starting in 1976, Donn began his journey. Follow along here:
This homepage has been updated to tell the story.
(click on the red text to go to the web page for Donn's Bio.)
In the Fall of 1977, Donn Silberman was a 1st Year Astronomy Student at the University of Arizona. He started working at the Flandrau Planetarium as a planetarium presenter, tour guide and night time public telescope operator. One of the planetarium shows he presented to the public was Isaac Asimov's "The Last Question". (click on the red text to go to the web page for the full story.)
This story may be about the current AI + Quantum computing and related topics.
In October 2004, Donn Silberman installed a "Speed of Light" exhibit in the Irvine Civic Center and created a brochure with this cover image.
(click on the red text to go to the web page for the full story.)
(click on the image to download the brochure.)
This describes why we explore advanced technologies to reach our destiny among the stars.
Propelling warp drive: From "Star Trek" to reality in the lab
Engineer and Trekkie Chance Glenn leverages optics to detect tiny ripples in spacetime that could advance faster-than-light propulsion.
In 2022, Donn wrote two Technolink articles introducing readers to the rapidly emerging world of quantum technologies. The first explored the impact that quantum computing and post-quantum cybersecurity could have on our digital future, while the second examined the growing need for education and workforce development as governments, universities, and industry began investing heavily in Quantum Information Science. At that time, quantum technologies were still viewed largely as research projects with tremendous long-term potential.
Four years later, the conversation changed.
(click on the image to the right to go to the web page for the full story.)
UC San Diego ExSTENT Summer Program 2026
Donn's first UCSD ExSTENT lecture -Intro to Optics
Donn's second UCSD ExSTENT lecture -Photonics Industry & Technologies
Video recording of Donn's UCSD ExSTENT presentations Friday July 24 2026 Passcode: *gZ7^^L9
Donn's third UCSD ExSTENT lecture -Fiber-Based Photonics
Donn's fourth UCSD ExSTENT lecture - Integrated Photonics
Video recording of Donn's UCSD ExSTENT presentations Monday July 27, 2026 Passcode: X#JBWH7Z
Click on the image of the book to purchase it from SPIE
Our SPIE paper "Quantum technician skills and competencies for the emerging Quantum 2.0 industry" was selected and is now available in this book.
Click on the graphic above for details.
The QOISC is an Orange County-based organization dedicated to the promotion of math, science, and engineering through the use of quantum optics education and related technologies and phenomena.
Our educational approach is hands-on, student-centered, and engaging.
We seek to foster the curious scientist, the artful mathematician, and the creative engineer in every student, regardless of age.
Jim was a mentor of OISC Founder Donn SIlberman and wrote a letter of support over 20 years ago.
University of Arizona Optical Sciences Center, James C. Wyant, Director, March 21, 2003
This and others are here: OISC Letters of Support
Founded by Donn Silberman in 2003, the OISC has a long history of education and outreach in Southern California. We have and continue to collaborate closely with the Optical Society of Southern California, Vital Link, UC Irvine DCE Optics Programs, Pasadena City College's Laser Technology Program; and many more. Look on our Photos page to see examples of our programs over the years.
Donn M. Silberman, "The Optics Institute of Southern California: organizing and implementing outreach effort," Proc. SPIE 9663, Eighth International Topical Meeting on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, 96631K (6 October 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2208468
The previous OISC website is at: Introduction (oisc.net)
The oldest legacy OISC website is still available here.
2003 - 2023
