A laser beam interference exercise at a New York City science museum introduces high school students to the peculiarities of quantum mechanics, where photons can take multiple paths simultaneously. This activity is part of Stony Brook University's (SBU) quantum information science and technology (QIST) summer camp, which aims to develop skills in a rapidly advancing field that remains largely absent from many educational curriculums.
Angela Kelly, a professor of physics and science education at SBU, emphasized the importance of early exposure to quantum information science. "Students can’t consider careers in quantum information science if they’ve never heard of it," she stated. "If we’re serious about workforce development, we must reach students before college."
Kelly, along with professors Dominik Schneble and Tzu-Chieh Wei, is spearheading an innovative educational model at SBU. Unlike traditional educational pathways often likened to pipelines, their approach resembles a network with interconnected nodes aimed at achieving a unified objective.
This flexible model allows students to enter the program at various stages, from high school outreach initiatives to advanced graduate training. The goal is to provide technical fluency and practical skills while accommodating diverse educational journeys. By doing so, SBU hopes to cultivate quantum talent that might otherwise go unnoticed by conventional programs.
The full story is available in Nature.