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            The Quantum for All Project is a program funded by the National Science Foundation (#2048691) to expand quantum science education in High Schools. The central focus is professional development for teachers, but there is considerable work that goes into developing and validating the instructional materials. In this paper we provide a general overview of the project. We also provide some details on activities that address specific topics which are included in the Next Generation Science Standards: the electromagnetic spectrum and the dual wave/particle behavior of light. Finally, we discuss a historical storyline that was used with the teachers in the 2024 summer workshop to link several activities dealing with early quantum theory.more » « lessFree, publicly-accessible full text available January 1, 2026
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            Quantum information science (QIS) undergirds a set of critical technologies that will affect information security, smart phones, computers, and other widely used technology. There is a broad need to develop a "quantum smart" workforce in addition to traditional STEM fields, and this development needs to occur in precollege education. The US National Science Foundation has funded the Quantum for All project to provide professional development opportunities for STEM educators to learn about QIS and how to implement it in the classroom. The teacher professional development is tied to summer camp experience for students during which the teachers can test their delivery of the material with students in the summer camp. In this paper we will discuss the outcomes for students in the summer camp for the various content areas presented and relate that back to results of research on teachers and their performance in the professional development experience.more » « less
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            Quantum information science (QIS) is critical to the future of economic and national security, commerce, and technology). There is a broad need to develop a "quantum smart" workforce with some on critical topics, such as quantum concepts that are relevant to everyday experiences in information security, smart phones, computers, and other widely used technology. The Quantum for All project, funded by the US National Science Foundation, provides opportunities for students to learn about various aspects of quantum science by providing professional development for STEM educators to learn and practice QIS. We utilize a trainer of trainer approach. In this paper we will discuss the content areas and provide an outline of the professional development model. We will also examine growth in teacher content knowledge and their confidence in that content knowledge. Our preliminary results are that the workshops are effective in raising both metrics as measured by pre- and post-surveys, however, there are differences between the content areas. We will examine these differences and provide possible reasons for the results.more » « less
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            This paper reflects upon the challenges of teacher pro- fessional development, designed primarily for high school physics teachers, where both content and format were unfa- miliar. The content focus was quantum information science (QIS), and the original face-to-face (F2F) environment shifted to an online virtual with only a few months of plan- ning. As a result of C-19, many states are now implementing changes to K–12 education such as virtual options for cours- es or some type of hybrid learning environment.4 Therefore, identifying and addressing the challenges faced in providing virtual professional development may be of use to other ed- ucators who need to incorporate similar elements in virtual environments.more » « less
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            The future of economic and national security, commerce, and technology are becoming more dependent on quantum information science (QIS). In addition to traditional STEM fields, there will be a broad need to develop a "quantum smart" workforce, and this development needs to begin before college. Since most students will not major in physics, it is vital to expose precollege students to quantum concepts that are relevant to everyday experiences with information security, smart phones, computers, and other widely used technology. This project, funded by the US National Science Foundation, provides opportunities for students to learn about various aspects of quantum science, regardless of whether they take a physics class. This project provides opportunities for secondary educators to learn and practice QIS. Project partners include universities, businesses, and professional organizations such as Science Teacher Association in Utah and Texas, American Association of Physics Teachers, Institute for Quantum Computing, and Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. In particular, we utilize a trainer of trainer approach, however, the teacher professional development is tied to summer camp experience for students during which the teachers can test their delivery of the material with students in the summer camp. In this paper we will discuss the content areas and provide an outline of the professional development model.more » « less
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            Quantum information science (QIS) is of growing importance to economic and national security, commerce, and technology. The development of a "quantum smart" workforce needs to begin before college since most students will not major in physics. Thus, it is vital to expose K-12 students to quantum concepts that are relevant to everyday experiences with credit card security, phones, computers, and basic technology and to prepare teachers to teach this content. The logical venue for exposure to basic ideas in quantum science might be a high school physics course, or even a physical science course if a full physics course is not offered. Professional development (PD) for educators typically includes 1-2 weeks of intensive instruction, usually in the summer. Teachers are then expected to remember what they learned and implement it several months after the PD. The model is based on prior research indicating that an educator needs a minimum of 80 hours of PD to become comfortable enough to implement the new instruction in their classroom. However, little research has been done as to how much they actually implement. For the past three years, we have been engaged in a project funded by the US National Science Foundation to build mechanisms (materials and PD strategies) for educating a quantum-ready workforce. Our PD model is based on pedagogical techniques used in classrooms, specifically the components of learn then practice in order to avoid cognitive overload. Instruction is more effective when the learners (teachers or students) are given opportunities to actively engage in the learning process through interaction/collaboration with peers, exploring challenges, and practicing what they have learned. This paper will share the logistics of our new PD new model, challenges, finding from our current research, and implications for future PD in K-16.more » « less
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