Preparing for the Jobs of the Future: MIT Physicists Are Making Quantum Computing Accessible to Students This Summer
Witnessing the historic unemployment created due to COVID-19, a team of MIT physicists has come up with a solution to prepare students with the necessary skills for the next technological revolution: teach them quantum computing.
Quantum computing has the potential to change the world, transforming fields such as artificial intelligence, medicine, and cyber security. Despite its growing importance, quantum is rarely taught to university students, yet alone high school students. These MIT researchers aim to change that by offering a first-of-its-kind virtual quantum computing camp this summer to high school and university students.
The goal of the camp is for students to develop foundational knowledge in key areas of quantum physics, as well as develop practical skills in quantum computation. By the end of the camp, students learn how to program a quantum computer and run quantum circuits — such as teleporting quantum information. Students from around the world can apply here.
The camp is led by Amir Karamlou, a graduate research fellow and instructor at MIT. He teaches MIT’s Introduction to Quantum Computing, and his research focuses on experimental quantum computation using superconducting qubits. Other instructors include Bharath Kannan, a PhD student researching microwave quantum optics, and Grecia Castelazo, who studies Physics and Math at MIT.
“Today we are at the dawn of a new era in computing technology. You don’t need an advanced degree in physics to begin exploring quantum computing. Over the next decade, quantum is likely to revolutionize the world in the same way the modern computer did in the mid-20th century. Students who develop knowledge in quantum now will be prepared for this world-altering technological movement,” explained Karamlou.
The camp is organized by The Coding School’s codeConnects initiative, a 501(c)(3) tech education nonprofit dedicated to ensuring computer science education is accessible, supportive, and empowering for all students. Pioneering premium online, live coding education since 2017, they have taught over 70,000 hours of coding instruction to students in 46 U.S. States and 40 countries.
“We’re excited to be leading the way in quantum education by offering one of the first programs in the world that gives high school students the chance to learn about quantum computing,” remarked Kiera Peltz, the founder of The Coding School.
To make the camp accessible to all students, scholarships are available to students with financial need and that have been significantly affected by COVID-19, including if a parent has a lost a job or is an essential worker.
Besides quantum computing, The Coding School is offering other virtual summer camps for students grades 3–12 and university students, including a Tech Taster, Music+Tech, and Creative Tech. For more personalized coding instruction, they offer one-on-one coding lessons in 18 specialized curriculums, such as AI and Cyber Security.
Learn more at www.codeconnects.org/summercamps
Questions? Email The Coding School at programs@the-cs.org
