This was the week I presented at the 2023 STEM Summer Institute on Quantum Computing. On both days of the conference the attendance fluctuated between 35 to 100 people in attendance. In my humble opinion, the conference was still suffering COVID side effects. I am sure the next time we meet in 2024 the attendance will be higher.
When Tuesday morning, August 1, 2023, came around I had six people, two photographers and myself. I thought this was great. I knew we would have the ability to discuss Quantum Computing thoroughly. Especially since we had many academic areas represented: administration, teaching standard influencers, and other educational technicians from k-12 and college.
I opened the presentation introducing myself and in good education fashion we went around the room to build community. I then went into what is Quantum Computing using my blog instead of a PowerPoint for presentation material. I showed my picture gallery. I do believe I got my thought across with my Rittenhouse’s Thought flow chart. I showed students work from my Microcomputing 1 class last school year. I did mention the fact that what gate quantum computers is what most people think is the quantum technology. That technology has some development to go. However the annealing quantum computer has been used but only by the super-rich. I ended my lecture by stating colleges and Universities are already incorporating this. IBM has donated a quantum computer to RPI for the next school year. I also mentioned SPINq as having a $ 5,000 quantum computer that is made for the classroom.
What did we learn from this presentation? I succeeded in opening the eyes up of the attendees that quantum computing is already here. It is just when will it be available to the average user? Then I learned of the biggest obstacle will be New Yorks teaching standards. There really is not anything in place to change what we teach really quickly. For example, we cannot go from teaching bits and bytes, aka binary to quantum mechanics without changing the standards first. My comment is why cannot at least the idea be mentioned in class. That would have to be up to the individual instructor.
Overall, my presentation was a success. The group left knowing that Quantum Computing is here, and we need to start bringing that technology to our students.
Where do I go with my research on quantum from here? I am planning to put one blog post per week up. I am looking at a busy school year. But I will try my best to reach that goal. Always remember my blog feeds change automatically, and I will keep looking for other ones to add and try to keep that as current and dynamic as I can.
Please come to visit often. I am also planning to expand on other topics. How that is going to incorporate here remains to be seen.
Thank you for visiting!