QuEST: Quantum Education for Students and Teachers

《国家量子倡议法案》规定了量子信息科学技术研究和教育的成长和加速。然而，高中科学教师可能没有量子物理背景，这给他们跟踪量子技术的学术和产业发展带来了挑战，导致早期量子教育存在很大差距。学生和教师量子教育(QUEST)是石溪大学和纽约科学厅的合作伙伴关系，将通过为大学预科学生(8-12年级)和中学科学教师提供量子科学和量子计算学习机会，促进量子教育、物理科学素养和STEM管道的多样性，直接影响到800名学生和160名教师。该研究计划将衡量中学生和教师的近期和长期结果。这项工作的更广泛影响涉及到来自不同背景的学生更多地参与入门量子科学和计算，这些学生可能由于学校资源有限、缺乏科学课程以及教师关于量子原理和应用的有限知识而无法获得平等的机会。Quest将开发和研究符合下一代科学标准的大学预科量子科学和计算教学实践。这些目标包括发展(1)促进批判性思维、推理和交流技能的量子知识和量子计算实践；以及(2)学生对量子计算职业和学术道路的认识和兴趣。战略包括针对不同学生群体的现场学习日活动和量子科学学科的夏令营(Quest Lab)。在Quest Lab，量子科学概念学习和量子计算实验室体验将把物理科学原理与现代技术进步联系起来，这将提高学生的知识、技能、社会认知领域、STEM职业兴趣和有意的学术行为。EduQation是一项有关量子科学原理和应用的科学教师专业发展计划；当这些教师在正式的物理教学中实施量子科学和计算时，这将对学生的学习产生乘法效应。科学教师将提高他们的学科内容知识，区分经典和量子概念的能力，对量子产业技术进步的理解，以及对如何教育学生有关量子职业道路的理解。这些认知和情感结果将通过调查、焦点小组和对项目参与者的采访来衡量；数据将通过推理统计和定性编码方法进行分析。该项目由学生和教师创新技术体验计划(ITEST)共同资助，该计划支持建立对实践、计划要素、背景和过程的理解的项目，有助于提高学生对科学、技术、工程和数学(STEM)以及信息和通信技术(ICT)职业的知识和兴趣。这个项目也是由CS for All：Research and RPPS计划和数学和物理科学局的多学科活动办公室共同资助的。这个奖项反映了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。

The National Quantum Initiative Act stipulates the growth and acceleration of quantum information science and technology research and education. However, high school science teachers may not have a background in quantum physics, and this creates a challenge for them to keep track of academic and industrial development of quantum technology, causing a substantial gap in early quantum education. Quantum Education for Students and Teachers (QuEST), a partnership between Stony Brook University and the New York Hall of Science, will advance quantum education, physical science literacy, and the diversity of the STEM pipeline through quantum science and quantum computing learning opportunities for precollege students (grades 8-12) and secondary science teachers, directly impacting 800 students and 160 teachers. The research plan will measure both immediate and long-term outcomes for secondary students and teachers. The broader impacts of this work relate to increased introductory quantum science and computing participation for students from diverse backgrounds who may not have equitable access due to restricted school resources, lack of science course offerings, and limited teacher knowledge about quantum principles and applications. QuEST will develop and research practices in precollege quantum science and computing instruction that are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards. The goals include the development of (1) quantum knowledge and quantum computing practices that promote critical thinking, reasoning, and communication skills; and (2) student awareness and interest in quantum computing careers and academic pathways. Strategies include onsite school day activities and summer camps in quantum science disciplines for diverse groups of students (QuEST Lab). In QuEST Lab, quantum science conceptual learning and quantum computing laboratory experiences will relate physical science principles to modern technological advances, which will enhance students’ knowledge, skills, sociocognitive domains, STEM career interests, and intentional academic behaviors. EduQation is a science teacher professional development program in quantum science principles and applications; this will result in a multiplicative effect on student learning as these teachers implement quantum science and computing in formal physical science instruction. Science teachers will improve their disciplinary content knowledge, ability to differentiate classical and quantum concepts, comprehension of technological advances in quantum industries, and understanding of how to educate students about quantum career pathways. These cognitive and affective outcomes will be measured by surveys, focus groups, and interviews with project participants; data will be analyzed through inferential statistics and qualitative coding methods. This project is co-funded by the Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) program, which supports projects that build understandings of practices, program elements, contexts and processes contributing to increasing students' knowledge and interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and information and communication technology (ICT) careers. This project is also co-funded by the CS for All: Research and RPPs program, and the Office of Multidisciplinary Activities in the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences.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.