Purdue partners with national education organization to introduce Indiana students to careers in quantum science

As classical computing emerged and developed over the past 70 years, it created an ever-changing landscape of new careers and technologies. It also created a challenge for educators and employers: how to prepare students for jobs and opportunities that don’t yet exist.

Today’s students are digital natives, familiar with computers and the internet from an early age. Yet they too face the beginning of another technological revolution: the quantum age. With the arrival of this revolution comes the challenge to prepare students and the workforce. 

During spring semester, the Purdue Quantum Science and Engineering Institute (PQSEI) and Qubit by Qubit, a national quantum educational organization, introduced the concepts of quantum science to more than 200 students at Southport High School in Indianapolis. 

“There are careers for scientists and engineers who want to make discoveries and develop technologies and there are careers for technologists who want to work with or work on the devices and processes that will emerge. There is a pathway for people with a variety of backgrounds to join the quantum workforce,” said David Stewart, executive director of the PQSEI. Stewart is also vice chair of the Workforce Development Technical Advisory Committee of the Quantum Economic Development Consortium. 

Preparing that pathway is an effort of national interest as the United States works to retain its edge in research and discovery. Purdue and partners across the nation are working to inform and engage students about opportunities in quantum science as early as possible.

At the high school event in Indianapolis, Garrett Williams, an instructor with Qubit by Qubit, introduced quantum materials to students by connecting the concepts to what students already know and then demonstrating how quantum is a problem-solving tool as much as it is a science. He is adamant that “anyone can learn quantum mechanics and develop a proficiency to contribute to the field.”

Vea Iyer, a 2024 Purdue graduate in computer science and political science, talked with the students about the applications of quantum computing in different fields, including biology, chemistry, liberal arts, and domestic and foreign policy. 

“Quantum computing is the most fascinating subject,” Iyer said. “It is a truly interdisciplinary field, serving as an intersection between computer science, physics and mathematics, and demonstrating applications in politics and the liberal arts. It also offers the promise of becoming a very diverse field, with people of all backgrounds being able to contribute in meaningful ways.”

Introducing students to the technology that will be central to their careers and lives is part of the mission of PQSEI. The institute brings together leading quantum researchers and fosters collaborations across industry, government and academia to use emerging knowledge in quantum to develop practical applications and technologies. PQSEI leads the university’s efforts in quantum science and engineering, which is a pillar of the Purdue Computes initiative.

Additional support for the educational outreach experience was provided by the Quantum Science Center, one of five multidisciplinary National Quantum Information Science Research Centers supported by the Department of Energy, and the Center for Quantum Technologies, a collaboration of three Indiana research partners backed by the National Science Foundation.