In this paper, we will present some recent results on developing numerical methods for solving Maxwell’s equations in inhomogeneous media with material interfaces. First,we will present a second order upwinding embedded boundary method - a Cartesian grid based finite difference method with special upwinding treatment near the material interfaces. Second, we will present a high order discontinuous spectral element with Dubinar orthogonal polynomials on triangles. Numerical results on electromagnetic scattering and photonic waveguide will be included.