Watch the highlights reel here.
On Tuesday, May 13, 2026, the Talcott Mountain Science Center, Academy, & Research Institute welcomed students, families, educators, STEM professionals, and community members for the inaugural “On the Shoulders of Giants” (OSG) Lecture hosted by the Talcott Mountain Research Institute.
The evening featured an inspiring presentation “Here’s Looking at You: The Invention Behind the Camera in Your Pocket,” from Dr. Eric R. Fossum, inventor of the CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) active pixel sensor camera-on-a-chip technology now used in billions of devices worldwide, including smartphone cameras, webcams, medical imaging systems, and more.
A Connecticut native and Talcott Mountain Science Center alumnus, Dr. Fossum shared insights into his groundbreaking work, his career journey, and the process of scientific discovery with an audience of curious learners from across the region. Attendees ranged in age from 8 to 80 years old, representing every level of STEM interest and experience. Some attendees even traveled from as far as 1.5 hours away to take part in the event.
Hosted by the Talcott Mountain Research Institute, the OSG Lecture Series invites the intellectually curious public into thoughtful conversations with leading STEM scholars and creative thinkers whose work shapes our understanding of the natural world. Each lecture explores not only scientific discoveries, but also the human curiosity and inquiry that drive innovation forward.
Talcott extends its gratitude to everyone who attended and helped make the inaugural OSG Lecture a success, and a special thank you to Dr. Fossum for sharing his incredible expertise and inspiring the Talcott community.
Learn more about upcoming OSG Lectures and future events: https://talcottscience.org/osg-lectures/
