Quantum outreach

Quantum Doors Open

Takudzwa Chipo Valerie Mudzongo — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 19:40:32 +0000

Quantum Doors Open Takudzwa Chipo… Thu, 04/17/2025 - 15:40

Ever wondered what quantum technology actually is? Join us for Quantum Doors Open to find out.

As part of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ), Quantum Canada: Open Doors invites Canadians from every province and territory to experience the incredible world of quantum through free, accessible events.

This hands-on community event brings together local researchers, educators and quantum technology companies to showcase the latest in quantum science and technology research and applications. Join us for a day of exploration and inspiration!

Meet the scientists and engineers shaping the future, participate in interactive activities and demonstrations and uncover the mysteries of quantum computing, communication and sensing.

See engaging booths hosted by research labs, startups, and educational organizations
Participate in hands-on activities for all ages: play with quantum-inspired games, test out mini-experiments and more
Hear from speakers that make quantum concepts come to life

Come with questions, leave with inspiration.

Location

Catalyst Commons

137 Glasgow, St Unit 210, Kitchener

Hosted by

Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC)

Perimeter Institute (PI)

The Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) is proud to support IYQ Canada and the International Year of Quantum Science & Technology (IYQ).

World Quantum Day – Quantum Shorts: Encore

Takudzwa Chipo Valerie Mudzongo — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 12:42:00 +0000

World Quantum Day – Quantum Shorts: Encore Takudzwa Chipo… Thu, 03/20/2025 - 08:42

Celebrate World Quantum Day with an IQC film experience!

As part of the International Year of Quantum, join us for a special screening of the Quantum Shorts Film Festival winners!

These short films bring quantum to life through imaginative storytelling—both narrative and abstract. As part of the screening curated panel of experts will provide additional insights and local context, connection quantum to the ��ݮ��Ƶ story in an engaging discussion.

Join us after for light refreshments and networking, where you can connect with fellow quantum enthusiasts.

Meet the panel

Christine Muschik | Panelist - faculty member, IQC
Kayleigh Platz | Moderator - director of communications and strategic initiatives, IQC
Fiona Thompson | Panelist - science outreach officer, IQC

Stay tuned as we’ll be adding more industry and academic speakers to this exciting discussion.

Location

Apollo Cinema
141 Ontario St N
Kitchener, ON, CA N2H 4Y5

Register

Faculty of Science presents: Science in the City - Quantum

Takudzwa Chipo Valerie Mudzongo — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 16:07:59 +0000

Faculty of Science presents: Science in the City - Quantum Takudzwa Chipo… Thu, 02/13/2025 - 11:07

The 2025 International Year of Quantum recognizes 100 years since the development of quantum mechanics. Researchers at the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ are at the forefront of quantum innovation, pushing the boundaries of discovery and positioning ��ݮ��Ƶ as a global leader in quantum research. Join us to celebrate the Year of Quantum by engaging with leading experts who share what’s next in quantum science!

The event is free. Light snacks and beverages will be available for purchase.

Meet the speakers

Jonathan Baugh(Chemistry)
Kazi Rajibul Islam(Physics & Astronomy)
Adam Wei Tsen(Chemistry)

Quantum for Educators 2025

Takudzwa Chipo Valerie Mudzongo — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 15:56:34 +0000

Quantum for Educators 2025 Takudzwa Chipo… Mon, 01/27/2025 - 10:56

Would you like to deepen your understanding of quantum mechanics and how to convey its wonder and societal importance to your students? Would you like to celebrate the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology with your class?

The Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) offers Quantum for Educators (QEd), a free in-person workshop on quantum mechanics and technology. This workshop provides lesson plans and affordable, ready-to-go activities to bring quantum concepts into your classroom.

From July 16 to 18, 2025 you will learn from quantum experts during interactive lectures and lab activities and work with educators from across the continent to incorporate what you’ve learned into your curriculum.

The call for applications is now closed.

What you’ll gain from QEd:

The ability to teach quantum mechanics beyond the basics and discuss cutting-edge advances in the field.
Lesson plans and other affordable, ready-to-go activities to take back to your classroom.
Discussion points about how quantum mechanics can transform society.

The Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) is proud to support IYQ Canada and the International Year of Quantum Science & Technology (IYQ).

Quantum for Educators 2024 virtual sessions

Takudzwa Chipo Valerie Mudzongo — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 15:19:39 +0000

Quantum for Educators 2024 virtual sessions Takudzwa Chipo… Mon, 01/27/2025 - 10:19

Quantum mechanics has transformed our society and understanding of science for the past hundred years, and will change the technological landscape of tomorrow through advances like quantum computing and quantum communication. This Quantum for Educators (QEd) workshop will help you prepare your students for the future and celebrate the 2025 International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.

Quantum for Educators will be offered through four free live virtual sessions from November 18-21 in fall 2024. An in-person 2025 QEd workshop will be announced in the new year. Please sign up to the mailing list to be the first to know about it.

Registrations for these sessions is now closed.

This workshop is open to secondary science and technology teachers worldwide. The materials are primarily designed for Grade 11 and 12 physics, but interested chemistry, computer science and mathematics teachers are encouraged to apply.

Expenses

There is no cost to attend the virtual QEd sessions in Fall 2024.

Attendance and materials

Recordings of the virtual QEd sessions will be made available to all registrants, along with notes, slides, and other materials. Certificates of attendance for confirming professional development activity are only available to educators who attend the Zoom sessions live.

More information, including links for the sessions and resources, will be provided in early November. If you have any questions, please reach out to a iqc-outreach@uwaterloo.ca.

Schedule

Date and time	Session
Monday, November 18 \| 7 to 9 p.m. ET	Qubits, Superposition, and Measurement Learn how to connect the polarization of light to the concepts of superposition and measurement, the two golden rules of quantum mechanics. By working with 2D vector components, you can show students the effect of quantum measurement disturbance and how bits encoded in quantum systems behave differently than classical ones. We’ll apply these ideas to cryptography with an overview of the quantum key distribution protocol and showcase hands-on experiments that your students can use to explore superposition and measurement.
Tuesday, November 19 \| 7 to 9 p.m. ET	Wave-Particle Duality and Quantum Interference How can wave and particle behaviours be seen in the same experiment? We’ll explore interference through the lens of wave-particle duality to show that wave-like and particle-like properties emerge depending on how we analyze our data. We’ll connect these ideas to accurate sensing technologies and familiar experiments like the double-slit experiment. We’ll also explore a student-friendly thought experiment on how to test a quantum firework.
Wednesday, November 20 \| 7 to 9 p.m. ET	Uncertainty, Probability, and Quantum Computing Just because it is uncertain doesn’t mean its unintuitive! We’ll shed light on the uncertainty principle and the role of probability in quantum mechanics. We’ll overview classroom-friendly hands-on activities using lasers and dice. We’ll also see how probability and superposition change the logic that quantum computers use and apply it to a simple quantum algorithm.
Thursday, November 21 \| 7 to 9 p.m. ET	Entanglement and The Quantum Zoo Entanglement isn’t so spooky after all! In this session, we’ll explore how to use a picture-based approach to understand what makes entanglement uniquely quantum mechanical and why studies of entanglement were awarded the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics. Finally, we’ll explore the variety of qubits that can be used to build quantum technology of the future, including atoms and superconductors.

Quantum School for Young Students 2025

Takudzwa Chipo Valerie Mudzongo — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 20:38:59 +0000

Quantum School for Young Students 2025 Takudzwa Chipo… Tue, 01/21/2025 - 15:38

Discover how mathematics, physics, computer science, engineering and more combine into one of the most exciting topics in modern science – quantum information – at the Quantum School for Young Students (QSYS).

QSYS is a unique enrichment program for high-school students that offers a blend of expert lectures, group discussions, problem solving, mentoring, and networking with world-leading quantum researchers.

Join hundreds of motivated students to explore the quantum future! Up to 200 students will be invited to QSYS 2025. At QSYS, you will:

see how the world works at the quantum level;
understand phenomenon like quantum superposition and entanglement;
learn how quantum technology will transform computing, imaging and cryptography; and
make long-lasting friendships

New in 2025 - Students in the ��ݮ��Ƶ region are invited to apply for an in-person lab day on Monday August 18. Enter the Quantum Exploration Space, meet active quantum researchers, and work with real quantum equipment like entangled photon sources, spin qubits, and interferometers. Space for the in-person lab day is limited.

Applications for QSYS were due Sunday, June 8, 2025 and are now closed.

Sessions

Wednesday, August 6 | 1 to 3 p.m. ET
- An optional mathematics practice session will be held before QSYS.
Monday, August 11 - Friday, August 15 | 1 to 3 p.m. ET
- QSYS 2025's five live virtual sessions will be held every day.
Monday, August 18 | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET
- The in-person lab day will be hosted on the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ campus for participants in the ��ݮ��Ƶ region.

Eligibility

You are an ideal candidate, if you are:

a Grade 11 or 12 student in Canada (e.g., Secondary V and CÉGEP in Québec),
curious and interested in exploring scientific concepts,
have enrolled in or completed Grade 11 mathematics (Grade 11 physics is recommended), and
fluent in English.

Experience with quantum physics is not required, just curiosity and interest in exploring new scientific concepts. Exceptional Grade 10 students may be accepted, space permitting.

Due to high demand, we are only able to offer admission to the live sessions to students within Canada.

Cost

There is no registration fee for QSYS 2025. Lunch will be provided for the in-person lab day, but students are responsible for their own transit costs.

Location

QSYS 2025 will be hosted online and can be accessed from anywhere in Canada. Successful applicants will need to ensure they have a reliable internet connection.

The in-person lab day will be hosted on the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ campus for participants in the ��ݮ��Ƶ region.

The Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) is proud to support IYQ Canada and the International Year of Quantum Science & Technology (IYQ).

IQC Special seminar featuring Vincent Koeman

Takudzwa Chipo Valerie Mudzongo — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 14:35:26 +0000

IQC Special seminar featuring Vincent Koeman Takudzwa Chipo… Tue, 10/29/2024 - 10:35

Quantum Parties in the Netherlands: The effect of a quantum pop-up exhibit on visitors

by Vincent Koeman | Quantum & Society Group, Leiden University

Quantum technologies are poised to revolutionize the digital world. To foster public acceptance, it’s crucial to engage the public during the development stage. However, the impact of many outreach efforts on the audience remains unclear. This study assesses the effect of an exhibit on quantum technologies at multiple public events – including the Lowlands Festival, a vocational school, a library and a one-night event on science – on visitors’ interest, attitude and knowledge about quantum technologies.

The exhibit was developed by the Institute for Quantum Computing in ��ݮ��Ƶ and uses a mix of text, images, videos, and interactive elements to explain quantum mechanics, particularly superposition, and quantum technologies, focusing on quantum computing. We measured the exhibit's impact through pre- and post-surveys among 812 festival visitors at Lowlands and gathered additional data at other venues.

The findings from this study will help us refine our communication strategies about quantum technologies, ultimately leading to greater public engagement and a higher acceptance rate of the revolutionary quantum technologies.

Location

QNC 1201

Biography

Vincent finished a master’s degree in Chemistry. Additionally, he finished the teacher education and came into contact with science communication. After some swaying between education and communication, he decided to pursue a PhD in science communication. During his PhD, Vincent is focusing on developing evidence-based outreach surrounding the new and revolutionary quantum technologies.

Vincent strives to improve the public’s understanding of science in their everyday life and to increase the public’s faith in science. To contribute to these goals he uses academic literature to evaluate existing products and develop future outreach. By critically thinking about developed products and showing enthusiasm for scientific topics, he hopes to inspire people to try to understand their surroundings.

Undergraduate School on Experimental Quantum Information Processing 2025

Takudzwa Chipo Valerie Mudzongo — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 15:36:58 +0000

Undergraduate School on Experimental Quantum Information Processing 2025 Takudzwa Chipo… Thu, 10/10/2024 - 11:36

Explore quantum information science hands-on at a world-class institute

The Undergraduate School on Experimental Quantum Information Processing (USEQIP) is a two-week program on the theoretical and experimental study of quantum information aimed primarily at students one year away from completing their undergraduate studies. The lectures and experiments are geared toward students in engineering, physics, chemistry, mathematics and computer science, though all interested students are invited to apply.

The summer school will take place May 26 to June 6, 2025.
The program has space for 30 students.
No cost to students and travel bursaries available
Paid summer research opportunities available through Undergraduate Research Awards
Applications for USEQIP are due Friday, January 3, 2025. Late applications will not be considered. References are due Wednesday, January 8, 2025.

Topics include:

Quantum algorithms
Entanglement
Photonic qubits
Quantum error correction
Quantum cryptography
Trapped-ion systems
Superconducting circuits
Nuclear magnetic resonance

Thank you to our partners

USEQIP is supported by the the MITACS Globalink Internship (GRI) program and the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) as part of the Transformative Quantum Technologies research initiative.

The Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) is proud to support IYQ Canada and the International Year of Quantum Science & Technology (IYQ).