By Kimberly Mann Bruch
(adapted from an article on the National Informal Science Education Network website by Christina Leavell, Arizona State University)
A team from Montana State University (MSU) is excited to celebrate their first World Quantum Day and have materials available to share with the community. If you are not familiar, World Quantum Day is an annual celebration promoting public awareness and understanding of quantum science and technology around the world. Celebrated on April 14th each year (a reference to 4.14, the rounded first digits of German physicist Max Planck; Planck’s constant).
Since 2021, the event has been helping audiences better understand the science of subatomic particles and the critical role of such studies in everyday technologies like LED monitors, the inner workings of smartphones, GPS, and much more.
“MSU is becoming a powerhouse in quantum research, quantum science, and technologies,” said Director of MSU’s Science Math Resource Center Suzi Taylor. “Montana is pretty uniquely positioned to be a leader in this field and I think we're ripe to start small businesses and grow some of our existing businesses to take advantage of all these new developments in quantum technologies.”
Of course there is no better way to celebrate its first-ever World Quantum Day than by engaging the individuals who will be part of these future developments in quantum science.
“The students who are in middle and high school now will be workers in Montana in just a few years from now,” Taylor said. “Because of this, MSU partnered with regional middle and high schools to generate interest among students as well as support economic and workforce development around quantum technologies.”
Taylor said that her group recently provided all Montana educators and youth leaders with free activity kits designed for grades 6-12. The World Quantum Day Educator Kit, sponsored by the Science Math Resource Center and Applied Quantum Core at MSU, includes resources about quantum science, promotional materials and lesson plans. These educator kits are now available online – alongside a recording of an educator training webinar that assists with the implementation of the materials.
The Applied Quantum CORE funding is provided by the Air Force Research Laboratory while funding for quantum research is from the National Science Foundation Engines program.