Beginnings: Creating and Sustaining a Diverse Community of Expertise in Quantum Information Science (EQUIS) Across the Southeastern United States

该项目旨在通过将量子信息科学与工程(QISE)教育引入美国东南部的合作机构来服务于国家利益。使用QISE概念的量子技术具有改变世界的潜力。对于这一新兴领域，现在教育劳动力和扩大QISE的参与对于为未来几代人准备相关的新兴技术领域和促进QISE实际应用的发展至关重要。田纳西大学查塔努加分校、田纳西中部州立大学、田纳西理工大学、菲斯克大学和奥本大学等五所大学组建了一个专家团队，为东南部的社区学院和大学提供QISE培训，其中包括第一代大学生、女性和STEM历史上代表性不足的人群。该项目将专注于四个主要方面：QISE的体验式学习、QISE劳动力发展、促进区域QISE伙伴关系和扩大QISE的参与。教学模式包括三个要素：量身定做的量子计算课程、体验式学习和强大的导师网络。课程的高潮是一个多层次的在线证书计划，为学习者提供所需的灵活性，使他们能够按照自己的速度掌握技术细微差别。通过研讨会、教师指导的研究以及接触国家实验室和行业经验，理论学习得到了实践方法的补充。通过建立一种可复制的体验式学习方法，该项目为类似项目提供了蓝图，在这些项目中，获得QISE教育的机会仍然有限。为了确保可持续性，该项目将积极参与当地、地区和国家的公司、实验室和组织。该项目与由NSF TIP和EDU董事资助的NSF ExLENT计划保持一致，因为它寻求支持来自不同专业和教育背景的个人的体验式学习机会，以增加他们对新兴技术领域的兴趣和获得职业道路的机会。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The project aims to serve the national interest by introducing Quantum Information Science and Engineering (QISE) education to partnering institutions in the Southeastern United States. Quantum technology, using QISE concepts, has the potential to change the world. For this emerging field, educating the workforce and broadening participation in QISE now are crucial to prepare future generations for related emerging technology fields and enabling the development of QISE practical applications. Five universities – the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Middle Tennessee State University, Tennessee Tech, Fisk University, and Auburn University – have assembled a team of experts to provide QISE training to community colleges and universities in the Southeast, including first-generation college students, women, and historically underrepresented populations in STEM.The project will focus on four main thrusts: experiential learning in QISE, QISE workforce development, fostering regional QISE partnerships, and broadening QISE participation. The teaching model embraces three elements: a tailored quantum computing curriculum, experiential learning, and a strong mentorship network. The curriculum culminates in a multi-tier online certificate program, providing learners with the flexibility needed to master technical nuances at their own pace. Theoretical learning is complemented by a hands-on approach via workshops, faculty-guided research, and exposure to national labs and industry experiences. By establishing a replicable methodology for experiential learning, the project serves as a blueprint for similar programs where access to QISE education remains limited. To ensure sustainability, the project will actively engage local, regional, and national companies, labs, and organizations. This project aligns with the NSF ExLENT Program, funded by the NSF TIP and EDU Directorates, as it seeks to support experiential learning opportunities for individuals from diverse professional and educational backgrounds to increase their interest in, and their access to, career pathways in emerging technology fields.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.