Teacher Professional Development
"We were encouraged to learn from each other, support each other, and ask questions. I learned a lot not just from the instructors, but also from the other teachers there."
"The instructors that taught the class were patient, great at explaining concepts, and had fabulous humor. Another thing was the activities were well thought out and not a ton of lecture"
Professional development sessions were offered face-to-face in the summer of 2022 in addition to the virtual workshops held in the summer of 2021. The F2F workshops involved hands on and engaging activities that could be used in the classroom.
We believe it is pedagogically important for teachers to experience the lessons before implementing them in the classrooms, so the PD model included time for teachers to learn and time for them to teach to students.
We are currently developing resources that will be made available online and F2F for high school students. Some of the topics being developed are below. If you are interested in joining one of our sessions, please join the email list and we will send out the information as we have dates set.
Professional Development Workshops
Quantum Chemistry--Chemistry concepts such as electron configuration, energy levels, Bohr model, Pauli Exclusion, Hund's rule, and Planck's constant are quantum concepts that are often taught as classical. This session identifies where these concepts can/should cross over to the world of quantum and provides opportunities for students to engage in learning why they are important. Can be broken down into multiple smaller segments, some F2F and some virtual.
Coin Toss--The coin toss activity is a bridge between Malus' Law and Quantum Key Distribution. Learners will use polarization to practice recognizing superposition states and the ramifications of measuring in different measurement basis.
CyberSecurity--Session builds on using the quantum effects from polarization and cryptography to show the efficacy of quantum cryptography to detect the presence of an eavesdropper.
Cryptography--Session on background for quantum cryptography and how quantum effects from polarization, including superposition, are used to generate a key for secure quantum cryptography (QKD quantum key distribution)
Cryptography (using Google Sheets)--Session allows participants to review QKD and use google sheets to generate a secure key and to determine wether there is an eavesdropper. This session can be done virtually or F2F.
Einstein and GPS--Sessions engages students in deeper understanding GPS, relativity, and the connections to quantum. One of the all time favorites!
Golden Rules of Quantum Mechanics--Session focuses on concepts of superposition and measurement uncertainty. These concepts are absolutely essential for students to understand when considering future technologies based on quantum physics. Learn how to connect light polarization to superposition and measurement, and how these concepts link to the powerful technology of quantum cryptography.
Gravitational Waves--Model gravitational waves using lycra, discuss interference (LIGO model), model LIGO with transparencies and lycra, can use interferometer, match signals on transparencies
Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle Lesson uses light diffraction to investigate the Uncertainty Principle by observing central spots and laser patterns. Students will investigate relationships between slit width and pattens as well as laser color (wavelength). Visually seeing these relationships helps them understand how a photon's momentum can change.
Interferometers--Session is based on the principles of how an interferometer works. The LIGO model is demonstrated and explained as well as the connections to quantum. This sessions is most successful when conducted F2F to allow the use of manipulatives and introduce interactive ways to engage students..
Introducing Quantum in your HS Course--Session focuses on using simple hands-on demonstrations that can easily be implemented in your classroom to bring the ideas of quantum computing and cryptography.
Entanglement--Described by Einstein in 1935, entanglement is one of the "wierd" words that is used to describe quantum interactions. It is where particles stay connected and the actions performed on one of the particles affects the other.
Laser Calibration--Session demonstrates how classical measurements correspond to quantum measurements and how those measurements can be used to measure very small quantities. The actual wavelength of a handheld laser is measured using a diffraction grating and a single slit. This workshop uses Babinet’s Principle.
Malus's Law and Mutually Exclusive States--Session starts with the familiar 3D glasses and builds background necessary for polarizers and Malus' Law. Experiments led students to understand the difference in classical and quantum "light".
Particle Physics--Session introduces students to building scientific models, Rutherford scattering, Bubble Chambers, Taming Particle Zoo, and Finding Top Quark. Could be broken down into several smaller sessions.
Power of Quantum Computing: Duetsch-Jozsa Algorithm--Session uses the concept of an interferometer to demonstrate this algorithm, showing the gain in efficiency from quantum computing due to superposition.
Polarization--Session on the state of light after traveling through combinations of polarizers beginning with a review of the classical analysis and continuing with a quantum analysis including superposition
Quantum Key Distribution--QKD is a method of ensuring that your data is secure. An important property of QKD is the ability of two communicating users to detect the presence of any third party trying to access the key. This session needs to be done in a F2F environment because it uses manipulatives, which engage the students and help them understand the process.
Superposition and Interference--quantum superposition is a fundamental principle of quantum mechanics. Classical physics treats superposition via waves interacting and defines types of interference. In the quantum world, superposition is being in several states at the same time and wave functions of particles can either reinforce or diminish each other.
Wave Particle Duality Part 1--Part 1 of 2 sessions designed to help students understand the dual nature of light. The first session compares classical particles and waves and then uses interactive activities to learn about the double slit experiment
Wave Particle Duality Part 2--Part 2 of 2 begins with a review of WPD and then uses the Mach Zehnder Interferometer to model interference patterns and analyze particle and wave models.
Where is the Quantum?-- an introductory session that is useful for helping teachers and students understand that the quantum world is all around them. Makes connections between content and workforce applications with intriguing demos, videos, or questions. Includes simple activities to get the students thinking about how things we take for granted actually work (i.e. phones), but also delves into more intriguing questions as to why we need quantum (i.e. like quantum computers).
