QIS Key Concepts for Early Learners: K-12 Framework

High School Physics

Incorporating QIS into High School Physics

Quantum information science leverages quantum mechanics to develop new capabilities in computing, sensing, and communications. In many physics classes, there may be natural points of integration around topics such as modern physics, electricity and magnetism, properties of light, and circuits. The purpose of the QIS K-12 Key Concepts Physics Focus Group was to create an initial set of expectations and learning goals, which will be useful to curriculum developers and teachers seeking to develop physics lessons and activities for teaching QIS K-12 Key Concepts.

The focus group brought together a range of experts, including educators familiar with both teaching and research of physics concepts at high school and/or university levels. The members were:

    • Paul Bianchi, Horace Greeley High School, Chappaqua, NY
    • Kenric Davies, Liberty High School, Frisco, TX
    • *John Donohue, Institute for Quantum Computing, Waterloo, Ontario
    • *Emily Edwards, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
    • Paul Feffer, Storm King School, Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY
    • Alice Flarend, Bellwood-Antis High School, Bellwood, PA
    • Zhanna Glazenburg, Croton-Harmon High School, Croton-on-Hudson, NY
    • *Mark Hannum, American Association of Physics Teachers, College Park, MD
    • Steven Henning, AAPT PTRA Program
    • Kevin Lavigne, Hanover High School, Hanover, NH
    • Jan Mader,  American Association of Physics Teachers, College Park, MD
    • *Karen Jo Matsler, UT Arlington, Arlington, TX
    • Maajida Murdock, Baltimore County Public Schools, Baltimore, MD
    • Anastasia Perry, Illinois Math and Science Academy, Aurora, IL
    • *Chandralekha Singh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
    • Derrick Tucker
    • *Tom Wong, Creighton University, Omaha, NE
    • *Brent Yen, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL

*Designates working group leads, conveners, and/or framework editors.

The output from this group was a series of expectations and outcomes for each QIS Key Concept. The group also drafted cross-cutting themes (pg. 28) and identified tie-ins to current NGSS standards (pg. 32). This information is listed at the end of the document. This initial framework is intended to evolve over time as quantum education for K-12 develops.

The output is downloadable via the following link. This is version 2, based feedback from the community. Please reach out to us with your comments/questions at edwardse@illinois.edu.

DOWNLOAD THE FRAMEWORK FOR QIS + K-12 PHYSICS

Resources and Tools

The resources in this repository are created and submitted by members of the quantum education community. We review them prior to posting and provide information on suitability for different audiences. We also note when teachers have either co-developed or reviewed the resource. Did we miss anything? Contact our team to let us know!

QBraid

QBraid

qBraid.com offers an online platform for learning about quantum information and programming on quantum computers. It is targeted at different levels, spanning high school, undergraduate. For example, non-quantum learners may visit qbook.qbraid.com/learn to access an...

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Quantum Country

Quantum Country

This resource is an online self-guided set of essays about quantum computing, quantum mechanics, and other quantum topics. It is similar to an online textbook and includes some Q & A for the reader to help reinforce concepts. The authors describe the resource as...

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Quantum Computing Zines

Quantum Computing Zines

Zines are short, comic-book-style pamphlets that fit on an 8.5”x11” piece of paper and intended for general non-expert, informal learners. The zines cover a number of quantum computing topics ranging from superposition to quantum notation. These begin with analogies...

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