(WhiteHouse.gov) The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) observed the first-ever official World Quantum Day. IQT News summarizes highights of the OSTP statement below:
The day was a result of an international, grassroots initiative and was intended to promote public understanding of quantum science and technology.
How did the Biden-Harris Administration celebrate World Quantum Day? OSTP and the National Science Foundation (NSF), through the National Q-12 Education Partnership, along with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), are advancing learning opportunities in classrooms across the Nation. Here are some specifics:–
This Is Quantum: A montage video of students, teachers, scientists, and more sharing what quantum is, what technologies it has enabled, and what attracted them to the field. It includes an invitation, “Let’s quantum together,” and wishes to have a “Happy World Quantum Day.”
QuanTime: A coordinated set of middle and high school quantum activities and games, each under an hour long. To date, over 150 teachers have signed up for the online and hands-on learning experiences. More than 600 kits were sent out, and thousands of students from at least 33 states will be engaging in quantum activities over the next month. And it is not too late to join the fun, as QuanTime activities are running until May 31, 2022. Sign up here.
PhysicsQuest Kits: These kits help students discover quantum mechanics and learn about the incredible life and work of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Fellow Dr. Deborah Jin, who passed away in 2016. Dr. Jin was a leading quantum scientist who used lasers and magnets to cool down atoms and make new states of matter. To date, more than 15,000 kits have been distributed across the country.
Learning Quantum with NASA: NASA developed classroom worksheets and online games for learning quantum.
How do efforts like World Quantum Day support the U.S. National Quantum Initiative? World Quantum Day is a celebration of the many ways that quantum science has transformed modern society and the possibilities it holds for our future. The National Strategic Overview for Quantum Information Science outlines the United States’ quantum strategy. Two pillars of the strategy are building a diverse, eminent workforce and fostering international cooperation. In February, the National Science and Technology Council’s Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science released its Quantum Information Science and Technology Workforce Development National Strategic Plan. A major action of the Plan is introducing broader audiences to QIS through public outreach and educational materials. World Quantum Day activities this year and in years to follow are a big step in that direction.
Sandra K. Helsel, Ph.D. has been researching and reporting on frontier technologies since 1990. She has her Ph.D. from the University of Arizona.