HIGH school students in Central West NSW experienced quantum technologies in a special camp led by prominent researchers.

What is quantum computing? How do you manipulate information at the atomic level? What does a quantum computer look like? These are just some of the questions to be tackled in a camp for high school students being held in Dubbo, NSW.

For the third year running, Sydney Quantum Academy staged a Quantum Tech Camp with guest speakers from the frontiers of quantum research, live online lessons from physicists, as well as demonstrations of quantum computing in action.

They also learned about the massive potential of quantum computing and the career pathways available in the field. 

Funded by the NSW Department of Education (via the Regional Industry Education Partnerships program) and with scholarships sponsored by IBM, the three-day quantum bootcamp brought together 52 students in May.

Twenty-one students attended in person at the Central West Leadership Academy in Dubbo, where classes will be based, while another 31 joined them online from other locations around NSW; plus five from others parts of Australia.

“Quantum technologies are at the intersection of physics, computer science, and engineering – so they are a great way to explore a range of STEM topics,” said Prof Peter Turner, CEO of Sydney Quantum Academy (SQA). “And they’re going to be vital skills, since quantum technologies have potential applications in nearly every industry.”

Since it was founded in 2019, SQA – a joint-venture between University of Sydney, UNSW, Macquarie University and the University of Technology Sydney which is supported by the New South Wales Government – has been working to grow the quantum ecosystem in Australia and make quantum education and training accessible to all.

“The Training Services NSW Regional Industry Education Partnerships (RIEP) program delivers a range of initiatives that provide students with opportunities to explore both traditional and emerging career pathways and connect with employers,” said Jacqui Skelton, Senior RIEP Project Officer. “Quantum Tech Camp gives students living in regional areas an exciting opportunity to be inspired by the exciting world of quantum computing.”

Of the students attending online, 19 have had their tuition funded by IBM; 17 are from NSW and two from Tasmania.

“As quantum computing continues to improve at a rapid pace, so too must today’s students’ interest and skills in the technology,” said Astri Cornish, IBM Quantum Workforce and Education Australia Lead. “This is why IBM is proud to support high school student participation in the Sydney Quantum Academy’s camp — inspiring them with the possibilities of quantum, and preparing them to be part of the growing quantum ecosystem.”

The SQA Quantum Tech Camp is partnership between SQA and Qubit by Qubit, a U.S. non-profit specialising in online teaching created by researchers at Harvard, Stanford, MIT and Oxford universities, and has trained over 20,000 students in quantum skills in 125 countries. It will also feature online activities delivered by Quantum Girls, a Perth-based national project that creates education programs for 11-15-year-old girls and helps train teachers in quantum science.

Image: Emelia Hosking and Jett Pearse at SQA’s Quantum Tech Camp in Dubbo and above the students and teachers that participated in the camp.