Professional Development
Professional Development sessions are being offered synchronously online. However, thanks to grant funding by NSF, there are some special workshops in the summer of 2021. Those who apply and complete the summer 2021 (July 20-23) sessions will be part of the 2022 face-to-face workshops! This is very exciting because these F2F workshops will involve lots of hands on and engaging activities that can be used in the classroom, participants will receive a stipend for attending (in 2022), and they will be given an opportunity to have a STEM camp in their district in the summer of 2023. We believe it is pedagogically important for teachers to experience the lessons before implementing them in the classrooms.
We are currently developing resources that will be made available online and F2F for high school students. Some of the topics we have developed (or 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
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.
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
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. Participants get to use an interferometer if done face to face.
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.
Interference and Superposition--Under development
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
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.
