IQUIST executive director testifies before U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

The University of Illinois’ Emily Edwards recently testified before the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology about the importance of quantum education. 

The committee is working to reauthorize the National Quantum Initiative Act for the next five years. Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) said it was passed in 2018 after “recognizing the importance of staying ahead of the competition” regarding quantum technology. 

Edwards, executive director of the Illinois Quantum Information Science and Technology Center in UIUC’s Grainger College of Engineering, co-leads the National Q-12 Education Partnership (Q-12) through a grant from the National Science Foundation. This program is a consortium spanning industry, government, professional societies, and academia. Edwards collaborates with Diana Franklin from the University of Chicago and Chandralekha Singh from University of Pittsburgh on the Q-12. 

“There is wide agreement that students need exposure to quantum information science, starting in K-12, to ensure continued US leadership in this competitive and fast-evolving field,” said Edwards in her written testimony. Not only is there a need for exposure, but Edwards said students want avenues in which they can explore quantum. 

High school physics and chemistry teachers are feeding that hunger by introducing quantum-related concepts, such as wave properties of light. “This provides an opportunity for teachers to introduce polarization, which can encode quantum information,” said Edwards. However, “There is still significant work to be done on curriculum development and implementation. This is especially true in the computer science and math communities, as well as at the middle school levels. Current programs across different states are also consistently finding that teachers need more scaffolding to demystify quantum and build their confidence in teaching the topic.” 

Information on quantum careers is another area in which Edwards says there is a gap. Chairman Lucas agreed that like many technology industries, there is “dire need of additional talent to fill out the workforce.” 

While strides have been made to make quantum education more accessible, there is still room for improvement, according to Edwards. She stated that the national efforts and goals of a quantum workforce would be accelerated by a new national center for quantum education and workforce development. This, in addition to new infrastructure, were the main recommendations made by Edwards.