Quantum Computing at the Intersection of Engineering, Technology, Science, and Societal Need: Design of NGSS-aligned Quantum Drug Discovery Lessons for Middle School Students
Amy Voss Farris, Anna Kim, Junde Li, Swaroop Ghosh
Abstract The emerging field of Quantum Computing (QC) is novel for most K12 educators. Fundamental understandings of QC rely on advanced mathematics and physics. Therefore, why is a middle or high school introduction to QC relevant or needed? In our local area, the Pennsylvania (PA) Department of Education specifies that PA science teachers implement learning experiences that allow students to understand the nexus of how societal needs create a demand for new technologies that in turn advance scientific knowledge and impact society [1], that science teachers create opportunities for students to engage in computational thinking and mathematics within authentic science and engineering contexts [2], and that mathematics pedagogy supports students to model with mathematics and make sense of complex problems [3]. To fulfill these existing learning aims, we present a collaborative curriculum development project based on our interdisciplinary research in which we develop quantum computing methods and tools for therapeutic drug discovery. The team includes faculty from medicine, quantum computing, machine learning, and science education. The curriculum development work aims to develop resources for middle and high school (U.S. grades 6 – 12) teachers to facilitate an introduction to Quantum Information Science (QIS) and QC, embedded in existing learning aims including mathematical, scientific, and engineering practices and concepts in statistics and probability, the natural sciences, and computing. We therefore demonstrate a proof-of-concept paper for how an introduction to QC designed for teachers and students in middle and high school can be responsive to disciplinary science and math learning goals (e.g., interpreting a distribution of quantum states and decoding it into viable molecular structures) and situated in contexts of emerging quantum technologies. The educational resources provide a developmentally-appropriate approximation [4] of the drug discovery goals of the project and utilize existing cloud-based quantum infrastructure from IBM (IBM Quantum Experience), making the QIS concepts accessible and useful in the middle and high school contexts in relation to these existing discipline-based learning goals. The associated professional development (PD) will foster a pathway for teachers to engage with scientists and engineers around unfinished problems, supporting an epistemological stance toward science that aligns with interdisciplinary negotiations and model-based reasoning characteristic of ongoing scientific research. This, at its most basic level, supports teachers and students to engage with technological innovation as a form of scientific literacy. The teacher toolkit will support practitioners to visualize qubit states and facilitate learning activities that address how QC is an ongoing engineering endeavor, driven by societal needs for new technologies, and enabling QIS applications that young learners can authentically engage in. [1] Pennsylvania Technology and Engineering Standards (2020). https://www.education.pa.gov/Documents/Teachers-Administrators/Curriculum/Science%20Education/PA-Technology%20and%20Engineering%20Standards%20Grade%206-12.pdf [2] National Research Council. (2015). Guide to implementing the next generation science standards. National Academies Press. [3] National Governors Association. (2010). Common core state standards. Washington, DC. [4] Grossman, P., Compton, C., Igra, D., Ronfeldt, M., Shahan, E., & Williamson, P. (2009). Teaching practice: A cross-professional perspective. Teachers College Record, 111(9), 2055-2100.
Abstract The emerging field of Quantum Computing (QC) is novel for most K12 educators. Fundamental understandings of QC rely on advanced mathematics and physics. Therefore, why is a middle or high school introduction to QC relevant or needed? In our local area, the Pennsylvania (PA) Department of Education specifies that PA science teachers implement learning experiences that allow students to understand the nexus of how societal needs create a demand for new technologies that in turn advance scientific knowledge and impact society [1], that science teachers create opportunities for students to engage in computational thinking and mathematics within authentic science and engineering contexts [2], and that mathematics pedagogy supports students to model with mathematics and make sense of complex problems [3]. To fulfill these existing learning aims, we present a collaborative curriculum development project based on our interdisciplinary research in which we develop quantum computing methods and tools for therapeutic drug discovery. The team includes faculty from medicine, quantum computing, machine learning, and science education. The curriculum development work aims to develop resources for middle and high school (U.S. grades 6 – 12) teachers to facilitate an introduction to Quantum Information Science (QIS) and QC, embedded in existing learning aims including mathematical, scientific, and engineering practices and concepts in statistics and probability, the natural sciences, and computing. We therefore demonstrate a proof-of-concept paper for how an introduction to QC designed for teachers and students in middle and high school can be responsive to disciplinary science and math learning goals (e.g., interpreting a distribution of quantum states and decoding it into viable molecular structures) and situated in contexts of emerging quantum technologies. The educational resources provide a developmentally-appropriate approximation [4] of the drug discovery goals of the project and utilize existing cloud-based quantum infrastructure from IBM (IBM Quantum Experience), making the QIS concepts accessible and useful in the middle and high school contexts in relation to these existing discipline-based learning goals. The associated professional development (PD) will foster a pathway for teachers to engage with scientists and engineers around unfinished problems, supporting an epistemological stance toward science that aligns with interdisciplinary negotiations and model-based reasoning characteristic of ongoing scientific research. This, at its most basic level, supports teachers and students to engage with technological innovation as a form of scientific literacy. The teacher toolkit will support practitioners to visualize qubit states and facilitate learning activities that address how QC is an ongoing engineering endeavor, driven by societal needs for new technologies, and enabling QIS applications that young learners can authentically engage in. [1] Pennsylvania Technology and Engineering Standards (2020). https://www.education.pa.gov/Documents/Teachers-Administrators/Curriculum/Science%20Education/PA-Technology%20and%20Engineering%20Standards%20Grade%206-12.pdf [2] National Research Council. (2015). Guide to implementing the next generation science standards. National Academies Press. [3] National Governors Association. (2010). Common core state standards. Washington, DC. [4] Grossman, P., Compton, C., Igra, D., Ronfeldt, M., Shahan, E., & Williamson, P. (2009). Teaching practice: A cross-professional perspective. Teachers College Record, 111(9), 2055-2100.
This chapter presents teachers and students with the fundamental concepts and principles of quantum computing in a fashion that is both for learners and educators. As quantum technologies are breaking into the lead roles in innovation, integrating quantum literacy into curriculum education is becoming increasingly essential. This chapter makes difficult concepts like qubits, superposition, entanglement, and quantum gates easy to understand and what makes classical and quantum computation distinct in easy-to-understand terms. It offers teachers effective methods for approaching quantum concepts through analogs, simulations, and hands-on devices like IBM’s Quantum Experience. For students, this chapter opens up inquiry by means of interactive and inquiry-based approaches, leading to increased understanding. Interdisciplinary education—physics, math, and computer science—is used as a starting point for the study of quantum mechanics and computing applications. It surveys current trends in quantum curriculum design and offers feasible case studies of effective quantum education initiatives in schools and universities. Problems of the absence of qualified teachers, lack of access to quantum materials, and learning inequalities are observed and accompanied by advice regarding scalable and inclusive methods of pedagogy.
The convergence of AI and quantum computing requires a new approach to cybersecurity. Credible experts estimate that by 2030 a cryptographically relevant quantum computer will be capable of breaking the encryption that underpins all of our digital communication. One of the most disruptive technology in history is coming and it's expected to change everything. In this context academic institutions will contribute to their states' future economic prosperity by leveraging their strengths and resources, particularly talent development, in key and emerging areas prioritized across the state. We report on current efforts to develop a Pathways Plus to Quantum Information Science (QIS) degree, a set of dual credit courses for high-school (HS) students and incoming college students pursuing a minor or specialization in Quantum Computing (QC). As of today, in the US, quantum topics appear on the HS curriculum standards in just two states: OH (Computing) and TX (Physics). Reaching out to HS and even middle school students (and their teachers) presents obvious long-term benefits in terms of workforce development for the quantum industrial ecosystem. Standing in the way of successful, widespread introduction of QC and QIS topics in HS and middle school are three distinct obstacles: (a) lack of materials at the right level for students and instructors, (b) funding and support for professional development for teachers, and (c) lack of state standards. In this paper we address all three aspects with a special focus on the benefits of quantum virtual labs and ZX calculus in the classroom.
This study aims to design and implement a quantum computing education program suitable for high school students, given the growing significance of quantum computing in diverse scientific and industrial fields. While quantum computing is rapidly gaining attention for its potential to revolutionize computational speed and address complex problems, the gap in early education for pre-university students remains notable, especially in South Korea. This research examined international and domestic trends in quantum computing education, developed an activity-based curriculum integrating simulation tools and collaborative problem solving, and applied it to a group of high school students. Through pre- and post-program surveys, activity sheets, and qualitative feedback, the results show a significant increase in students’ understanding and interest in quantum computing concepts such as superposition, entanglement, and quantum gates. The study highlights that an experiential, STEAM-integrated approach using visual and hands-on resources effectively lowers conceptual barriers and enhances engagement. However, challenges such as a lack of prior knowledge and limited educational materials persist. The research suggests policy and curriculum improvements as well as extended teacher training are required to bridge the global educational gap in quantum computing, and indicates that systematic integration of quantum concepts at the high school level is both feasible and impactful.
Quantum computing is aninterdisciplinary field that lies at the intersection of mathematics, quantum physics, and computer science, and finds applications in areas including optimization, machine learning, and simulation of chemical, physical, and biological systems. It has the potential to help solve problems that so far have no satisfying method solving them, and to provide significant speedup to solutions when compared with their best classical approaches. In turn, quantum computing may allow us to solve problems for inputs that so far are deemed practically intractable. With the computational power of quantum computers and the proliferation of quantum development kits, quantum computing is anticipated to become mainstream, and the demand for a skilled workforce in quantum computing is expected to increase significantly. Therefore, quantum computing education is ramping up. This article describes our experiences in designing and delivering quantum computing workshops for youth (Grades 9–12). We introduce students to the world of quantum computing in innovative ways, such as newly designed unplugged activities for teaching basic quantum computing concepts. We also take a programmatic approach and introduce students to the IBM Quantum Experience using Qiskit and Jupyter notebooks. Our contributions are as follows. First, we present creative ways to teach quantum computing to youth with little or no experience in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics areas; second, we discuss diversity and highlight various pathways into quantum computing from quantum software to quantum hardware; and third, we discuss the design and delivery of online and in-person motivational, introductory, and advanced workshops for youth.
In recent years, quantum computing has gained strong traction on the global stage. Pioneering developments in quantum engineering, algorithms and software reinforce the view that quantum computation will eventually catalyze transformative technological advancements across diverse sectors. In anticipation of the future impact of quantum computing, many governments, universities and tech organizations have invested heavily into advancing quantum science, boosting quantum readiness, and building a diverse, talented workforce through quantum education initiatives. Specialized university programs, public awareness campaigns and STEM outreach activities all serve a critical function in fostering a deeper understanding of quantum physics and quantum technologies among non-experts. At the level of high school, a major vision is for these initiatives to reshape the teaching of 20th century physics in STEM classrooms, and inspire the future generation of quantum scientists and professionals. In the current paper, we are presenting the materials we have created for an outreach workshop introducing quantum computing to high school students in an approachable and engaging way. Intro2QC is an exploration of quantum computing's relevance to solving real-world challenges by relating how the unintuitive behaviours of quantum systems can be useful in providing computational advantage. The workshop materials include an online interactive quantum programming tutorial hosted on the Intro2QC website, along with the full lesson plan for STEM instructors and the presentation slides available on the Github repository. This single-session 90-minute workshop has been delivered to approximately 160 students in multiple school groups from Grades 9-12 in British Columbia Canada in the highlight of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.
This poster explores strategies for supporting quantum computing education in academic libraries and invites collaborative discussion on building sustainable support models. As quantum computing emerges as a transformative technology with potential to solve complex research questions across disciplines, institutions of higher education must develop effective and scalable support frameworks. Successful integration of quantum computing education and support may position institutions at the forefront of breakthrough computational research and confer benefits such as strengthening the institutional ability to attract top faculty and students, boost workforce development, and deliver a competitive advantage for funding opportunities. We present our initial framework for quantum computing support developed at the University Libraries, University of Alabama. Our instructional model employs backward design principles, emphasizing hands-on engagement with open-source quantum development tools and focusing on transferable computational thinking skills that extend beyond specific tools. Our approach centers on workshops that prioritize achievable learning outcomes tailored to diverse student backgrounds, incorporate active learning strategies, and emphasize real-world applications to build quantum literacy across disciplines. Both our successes and ongoing challenges are shared to inform broader discussions. More broadly, we invite engagement with our framework and discussion across four critical dimensions of emerging technology support including pedagogical approach, assessment strategies, technology platforms and infrastructure, and collaborative support models. Pedagogically, we seek to explore which instructional methods most effectively build quantum computing literacy for students with diverse academic backgrounds as well as strategies to strike the balance between theoretical foundations and hands-on practice. With assessment, we seek meaningful assessment approaches that can address varied student backgrounds and account for steep learning curves accompanying emerging technologies. For technology, we endeavor to discover which platforms will work best within higher education and ensure access and reliability for students and educators on a broad scale. And finally, we seek to examine how academic libraries and other units collaborate to build sustainable, coordinated support infrastructure. As quantum computing and other emerging technologies reshape higher education, academic libraries may be uniquely positioned to lead support for quantum computing by democratizing access to computational resources and bridging gaps between research, instruction, and student success. To that end, we invite discussion on how academic libraries can help to build sustainable, adaptable, and collaborative models to support quantum computing. We seek experiences, challenges, and strategies to inform best practices while aligning with library and other campus computing efforts and meeting the evolving needs of students.