Building the Quantum Workforce
George Mason University's Quantum Science & Engineering Center
George Mason University's (GMU) K-12 Quantum Workforce Development Project is a program coordinated by faculty from GMU's Quantum Science and Engineering Center. The project aims to inspire the next generation of students to pursue the field while simultaneously preparing a diverse quantum workforce in Northern Virginia.
Quantum in your Classroom: GMU faculty Jessica Rosenberg and Nancy Holincheck run workshops on quantum for K-12 teachers to develop teachers' quantum knowledge work with teachers to adapt existing materials and develop new materials to integrate quantum into K-12 classrooms.
Quantum Immersion Program: GMU faculty Jessica Rosenberg and Nancy Holincheck, in partnership with the Potomac Quantum Innovation Center, host a summer immersion program for rising high school seniors, which supports student learning of quantum concepts and quantum careers. High school students complete a virtual learning program and then spend a week living on campus and visiting local quantum laboratories, industries, and government agencies that are working in this field.
Quantum Pathways: GMU faculty Jessica Rosenberg and Nancy Holincheck run workshops for students in two-year and four-year undergraduate programs focused on quantum concepts and careers.
Pathways to Quantum Summer Immersion Program
In Summer, 2024, the George Mason University Quantum Science and Engineering Center (GMU QSEC) and the Potomac Quantum Innovation Center (PQIC) are excited to invite rising high school seniors to participate in the Pathways to Quantum Summer Immersion Program. Join peers from around the Greater Washington region and participate in a week-long program where you will learn about quantum and STEM-related careers with leading research universities and industry-leading organizations. The summer program is free of charge and broken up into two segments. Students must be available to fully participate in both parts of the program.
Asynchronous virtual program: June 26 - July 10
In-person on Mason campus: Sunday, July 14 through Friday, July 19
2024 Applications are closed.
Review application questions before submitting your application:
Statement of Interest – Please tell us more about yourself and your interest in the Pathways to Quantum Summer Immersion Program. Please write a paragraph or two on your interest that answers the following questions:
Why do you want to participate in the program?
Why do you want to learn more about quantum?
What are your future educational and/or career aspirations?
What are you excited about learning in the program?
Learning about quantum and pursuing a career in the field can be challenging and inevitably it will involve some failure. Please tell us about a time that you experienced failure and how you have approached persevering through a challenge.
Students must submit a resume as a link to a Google drive document.
We require a teacher recommendation. Please determine which teacher will submit a recommendation on your behalf and share their name and email address with us on your application. You do not need a teacher recommendation at the time you submit your application. We will only reach out to a teacher if a student makes it to the final round.
Quantum in your Classroom:
In Spring, 2024, we will hold two professional development workshops for elementary teachers (date TBD). The professional development workshop will expose you to quantum fundamentals and give you tools to integrate those principles into your existing curriculum.
On April 20, 2024, we invite local high school chemistry teachers to join us for a professional development workshop, where we will focus on the overlap that exists between chemistry and quantum. The workshop will run from 10am - 3pm and include a $150 stipend. Registration for April 20, 2024 workshop is now open. Apply below: