The U.S. National Quantum Initiative Program was signed into law January 2019.  It was designed to invest in our future technology workforce pipelines by preparing our current students K-12. There was a recognition that national efforts were going to be necessary in order to maintain a role in quantum information, systems, and technology applications.

It is imperative that K-12 students be introduced to basics of quantum and develop an appreciation of how quantum is important to their lives and jobs. Quantum information science uses of the laws of quantum physics for storage, transmission, manipulation, or measurement of information and therefore it is the basis for our national security (data encryption, cryptography), communications (phones, satellites, TVs), medical fields (MRIs, scans), technology (semiconductors, LEDs), and much more. In order to develop a workforce pipeline, K-12 students must understand the importance of being quantum-smart and the “quantum-smart” pipeline must begin in grades K-12. Our goal is to facilitate the education of teachers and students so they are quantum literate.