Quantum Education, Outreach and Workforce Development

Montana State University’s Applied Quantum CORE is supported by the Air Force Research Laboratory to move advanced quantum technology applications from concept and testing to market. The program includes research, economic development, and education and workforce development, the latter of which is overseen by MSU’s Science Math Resource Center and includes programs that help youth, educators and community members learn about quantum concepts and the quantum industry while establishing and promoting career pathways, internships and new training and educational programs at all levels.

World Quantum Day 2025

In partnership with QuanTime, Montana State University will once again celebrate World Quantum Day in the weeks leading up to and after April 14, 2025. We will offer resource kits for STEM educators and free professional development training. More info coming soon!

Learn more about our 2024 World Quantum Day activities below.

To be alerted to new WQD activities, subscribe to our list-serv for educators

Quantum State Convening - Oct. 11, 2024

MSU's Science Math Resource Center, together with Reach Higher Montana, hosted New Frontiers in Quantum and Emerging Technologies on Oct. 11, 2024. This statewide convening broguht together K-12 educators, higher education professionals, industry partners, and state and local government, to learn about and share opportunities driving future economic and career pathways in Montana. 

To learn more and watch videos of keynote talks and panel discussions, visit New Frontiers in Quantum and Emerging Technologies. For questions, email [email protected]

QuantumGirls

Montana State University, in collaboration with the National Girls Collaborative Project, is excited to announce the participants in the new QuantumGirls program, a project of the MSU Applied Quantum CORE funded by the US Air Force Research Laboratory. QuantumGirls aims to spark girls’ interest in quantum-related STEM topics, expose them to quantum-related careers, and foster their STEM identity.

Five Montana Out-of-School Time educators were selected to implement the QuantumGirls curriculum into their existing programming models.Please join us in congratulating:

• Boys and Girls Club of the Flathead Reservation,
• Boys and Girls Club of the MonDak,
• ExplorationWorks,
• Soft Landing Missoula, and 
• Monforton School Afterschool Program

Educators from these sites will receive training on an engaging new STEM curriculum designed for middle school, self-identifying girls, and gender-expansive youth (ages 11-14). The curriculum is designed to introduce girls to quantum science and technology-related concepts and careers in an accessible, hands-on way, featuring collaborative learning, discussions, and hands-on projects.

For more information or to participate in future programs, email [email protected]

Quantum Sunprint Workshop unites students, artists, physicists and botanists from MSU and Stone Child College

A three-day summer workshop brought together students and faculty from Montana State University's School of Art and Stone Child College to work with botanists and quantum physicists while creating unique works of art called cyanotypes or "sun prints."

The workshop was designed and led by Bruce Barnhart and supported by MSU's Applied Quantum CORE through a mini-grant program led by the Science Math Resource Center. Additional support was provided by IMOD, the Center for Integration of Modern Optoelectronic Materials on Demand at the University of Washington. Read more.

MSU Quantum in the News

Montana State University's World Quantum Day educational effort was featured in the April newsletter of NISENet – the National Informal Science Education Network.

A similar article was also posted on the website of The West Big Data Innovation Hub, a regional NSF-funded hub designed to “build and strengthen partnerships across academia, industry, nonprofits, and government—connecting research, education, and practice to harness the data revolution.”

Summer 2024 mini-grants for the Colleges of Arts & Architecture and Education, Health and Human Development

What do you know about quantum? Whether your answer is “a lot”, “a little” or “next to nothing,” we need your creative ideas to share the promise of this emerging industry with Montana audiences.

As the scope and scale of research involving quantum science and technologies grows at MSU, so does the need to:  

• expand public literacy about the field and its capacity to enhance our lives and livelihoods; 
• design and promote workforce development pathways for youth and adults; and 
• support educators and community leaders who serve as boundary spanners between the research and the public.

This rapid response mini-grant program seeks innovative ideas to advance understanding of quantum science and technologies while positioning MSU and its partners for future opportunities. 

Faculty, staff and grad students of EHHD and the College of Arts & Architecture may apply for up to $5,000 for a Summer 2024 project. Collaborations between the two colleges or between more than one department, school or program within the Colleges may apply for up to $10,000. Proposals were due April 25, 2024. Details here..

An informational Webinar was held on April 16, 2024 -- click through to the informational page to watch the recording.

Montana educators celebrate World Quantum Day April 14, 2024

Applications have now closed to receive a free kit. However, we will post all resources here for download, and you can watch the recording of our March 26 educator training here.
WORLD QUANTUM DAY MONTANA EDUCATOR TRAINING

Please also register at QuanTime for more resources and the chance to win a teacher goodie bag!

World Quantum Day is an international event held on April 14 to generate interest in quantum science. Quantum is the science of atoms and particles which are the building blocks of the universe! Scientists have used quantum mechanics to create technology we use every day such as the chips in smartphones. What exciting technology will be discovered next?

Our goal is to help educators and youth engage in the work of Quantum Science through providing lesson kits for teachers to use on World Quantum Day. No teacher expertise in quantum science required!

Activities are designed for grades 6-12 but can easily be scaled up or down. Plan to use your kit on or near to World Quantum Day on April 14.

A short feedback form is requested at conclusion of the project We will request you submit an artifact such as photos, video clips, student reports, artwork or other artifacts from your World Quantum Celebration! All Montana educators and youth leaders are eligible to apply.

Application deadline was March 16, 2024. For questions, contact Elizabeth Green at [email protected].

Thank you to the National Q-12 Education Partnership and QuanTime for support of this project!

Listen to this project on Yellowstone Public Radio!

MSU receives $26.7 million grant for quantum technology;
SMRC will support education and workforce development

With a new $26.7 million grant from the U.S. Air Force, Montana State University will establish a facility with the mission of moving advanced quantum technology applications in cybersecurity, communications technology and national defense from concept and testing to market. The 20-month grant from the Air Force Research Laboratory in Rome, New York, will support MSU’s Applied Quantum CORE facility.

The Science Math Resource Center will oversee education and workforce development, including creating programs that help youth, educators and community members learn more about quantum concepts and the quantum industry; and working with higher education institutions and industry to establish and promote career pathways and internships while exploring new training and educational programs at all levels. Read the MSU news story here.