Panel of educators taking ‘externship’ to learn the principles of a field predicted to boom in future years.
(DENVER) — It’s no secret the quantum industry means big things for Colorado’s economy. To get there, the State needs teachers with deep understanding of the exciting and growing fields in physics and engineering to build the quantum pipeline in Colorado.
The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) announced today that nine Colorado public school teachers from the Boulder Valley School District are participating in a three-day “externship” held at the CU Boulder Campus from June 10 - 12 to learn the fundamental principles of quantum computing and quantum physics to better understand how to apply these principles to their curriculum for their students.
“QCaMP” is led by Sandia National Laboratories and an ecosystem of founders, partners, and sponsors, including Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Quantum Systems Accelerator, one of the U.S. Department of Energy’s five national Quantum Information (NQI) science research centers. The teachers are learning the fundamental principles of quantum computing and quantum physics, so they can better understand how to apply the principles to real-life scenarios and translate quantum concepts in their classrooms during the next school year.
Quantum physics emerged in the early 20th Century from studies of nature's smallest objects. Scientists believe it could expand our understanding of the universe and help solve complex problems at lightning speeds.
CDLE Executive Director Joe Barela and OEDIT Semiconductor Industry Manager Dan Salvetti welcome teacher "externs" to QCaMP on Monday, June 10, 2024.
Right now, Colorado has more than 3,000 quantum workers and five of the top 20 quantum companies. Colorado is a federally designated Tech Hub, focused on the advancement of the quantum industry, and CDLE projects the number of quantum technician positions in Colorado will double in the next five years.
“What you learn here and take back to your classrooms will be vitally important to Colorado’s future workforce,” Joe Barela, CDLE Executive Director, told the teachers Monday when their training began. “By helping us build the quantum talent pipeline now, we’ll have the talent to fill those future roles in the industry.”
"Advanced industries are vital to long-term economic prosperity,” said Dan Salvetti, Semiconductor Industry Manager with the Global Business Development Division at Colorado’s Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT). “Getting your students interested in quantum could be huge for their futures. Nearly half of Quantum jobs don’t require an advanced degree, and the average quantum job pays over $125,000 per year.”
The teachers are receiving stipends for their work and time spent at QCaMP from CDLE and the Colorado Workforce Development Council.
Colorado businesses are encouraged to host teachers as part of CDLE’s teacher externship program, and educators are also encouraged to engage with the program.
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