NSF expands quantum education to students nationwide in collaboration with industry, academic leaders
The nation's future workforce will require students trained, from the earliest stages, in quantum science and engineering.
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The U.S. National Science Foundation and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy are spearheading the National Q-12 Education Partnership with industry and academia to provide training and tools to students ready to become the future quantum workforce. This initiative expands quantum education to students in middle and high school across the country.
"In the coming decades, quantum systems are poised to drive our nation's industrial base, economic strength and national security," said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. "Achieving that vision requires a workforce educated and trained in quantum information science and engineering. Through close collaboration with academia, industry, and partner agencies, the National Q-12 Education Partnership will increase the technical literacy of students, expanding inclusion and broadening participation for a future workforce that will bring benefits to all of us."
NSF is advancing quantum education by investing nearly $1 million in QIS education efforts, including establishment of the Q2Work Program aimed at supporting learners and educators in quantum information science and technology. This collaboration of top industry and academic leaders provides opportunities to develop a knowledgeable and motivated quantum workforce. These efforts also include:
- Cross-Discipline Approach to Quantum Computing in High Schools: Building towards a Quantum Computing Workforce, which focuses on three activities: summer workshops for teachers, building the community of educators involved in deployment of quantum content at schools and organizing a meeting of stakeholders.
- Preparing Secondary Teachers to Teach Quantum Information Science built around providing content and support for teachers to develop a sense of how quantum information science and technology affects their students, and how to support understanding of quantum concepts.
- Dear Colleague Letter: Advancing Educational Innovations that Motivate and Prepare PreK-12 Learners for Computationally-Intensive Industries of the Future, which calls for proposals built around preparing a workforce for industries relying on quantum information science and artificial intelligence.
"Quantum information science is a critical industry of the future where America must lead the world, and yet students don't typically learn about QIS until college. Under President Trump's leadership, the United States has prioritized quantum research and development, and now we will be among the first in the world to make QIS education tools and resources available to K-12 students and educators nationwide. Through strong public and private sector commitment, we look forward to advancing our Nation's workforce and leadership in this key emerging technology," said Michael Kratsios, U.S. Chief Technology Officer.
Learn more about the collaborative partnership in quantum education and Q12 education by visiting q12education.org
Media Contacts
Media Affairs, NSF, (703) 292-7090, media@nsf.gov