Hybrid Curriculum for Upskilling Photonics Technicians in Advanced Optics and Quantum Research Enabled Technologies

量子科学的现状与其在工业中的实际应用之间存在着巨大的差距。 差距的部分原因是缺乏实施量子技术所需的先进技术劳动力。最有可能进入新的量子技术劳动力队伍的人是现任的光子技术人员。 他们目前的资格为建立新的量子相关能力奠定了基础。该项目旨在制作一个免费的课程，使光子技术人员能够获得新的量子相关能力。 本课程将包含一个三门课程的序列与免费访问的教科书，实验室手册和互动的在线内容。 通过开放式教育平台提供课程将减少大学，学生和行业之间的地理障碍。拟议的平台还可以通过增加获得量子技术教育的机会，促进高科技量子劳动力的包容性和多样性。拟议的量子技术课程预计将帮助美国企业保持先进激光和量子技术的全球领导地位。该项目将率先将量子科学引入先进的技术教育。它将通过开发、测试和传播量子技术的三门课程混合课程来实现这一目标。该项目将开始评估行业对量子相关技能的需求，继续开发课程和课程，并最终建立一个可持续的学习平台。这三门课程的设计将满足最高水平的质量认证。该课程将由学术和行业合作者推广，并通过学生与课程材料互动时通过学习平台实时收集的数据进行验证。开放式学习平台将使整个教育内容可以访问和转移到其他机构。通过这些努力，该项目将有助于推动量子技术向前发展所需的新的量子STEM劳动力发展。该项目由先进技术教育计划资助，该计划侧重于为推动国家经济的先进技术领域培养技术人员。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

A significant gap exists between the state of quantum science and its practical uses in industry. Part of the gap results from the lack of the advanced technical workforce needed to implement quantum technologies. The people best poised to enter the new quantum technological workforce are incumbent photonics technicians. Their current qualifications provide a foundation on which to build the new quantum-related competencies. This project aims to produce a freely available curriculum that will enable photonics technicians to acquire new quantum-related competencies. This curriculum will contain a three-course sequence with freely accessible textbooks, lab manuals, and interactive online content. Availability of the courses via an open-access educational platform will reduce geographical barriers between colleges, students, and industry. The proposed platform can also promote inclusion and diversity in the high-tech quantum workforce by increasing access to education in quantum technologies. The proposed quantum technology curriculum is expected to help U.S. businesses maintain global leadership in advanced laser and quantum technologies. This project will pioneer the introduction of quantum science into advanced technological education. It will do so by developing, testing, and disseminating a three-course hybrid curriculum in quantum-enabled technologies. The project will begin with an assessment of the industry demand for quantum-related skills, continue with curriculum and course development, and end with establishment of a sustainable learning platform. The three courses will be designed to meet the highest level of Quality Matters certification. The curriculum will be promoted by academic and industry collaborators and validated through data collected via the learning platform in real-time as students interact with the course material. The open-access learning platform will make the entire educational content accessible and transferrable to other institutions. Through these efforts, this project will contribute to the new quantum STEM workforce development needed to propel quantum technology forward. This project is funded by the Advanced Technological Education program that focuses on the education of technicians for the advanced-technology fields that drive the nation's economy.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.