K-12 Teacher PD on Constructing a Wave-Particle Model of Light in a Quantum Famework

The growth of the quantum industry has prompted essential efforts to prepare the next generation of the quantum workforce. The Institute for Robust Quantum Simulation (RQS) has developed a three-polarizer demo, a hands-on experiment that illustrates a key concept in quantum mechanics. This demonstration inspires scientific inquiry among middle and high school students in informal and formal learning environments. Through a partnership between RQS and the Morgan State Physics Department, we have created a professional development workshop for K-12 STEM teachers. This collaborative workshop, designed to enhance their teaching skills, aims to use the driving phenomenon to support constructing a wave-particle model of light, followed by some thought experiments that guide the selective application of features from classical models to an emerging quantum framework. This presentation shares preliminary insights into the experiences of participating teachers, focusing on how a physics-centered approach supported their understanding of quantum concepts and technologies. We conclude by discussing planned changes to our activities based on our evaluation and broader implications for encouraging more learners to take the leap from classical to quantum physics.

Supported by NSF # 2417664