In search of new computer programming curriculum? Grok Academy has announced some truly out-of-this world news: Teaching quantum computing to students in Years 5-12 is now possible. (Yes– quantum computing for primary and secondary level students!)
The online learning gurus at Grok Academy continue to inspire the next generation of computer programmers with their new ‘Intro to Quantum Computing’ course – a new Science and Digital Technologies Challenge for Australia’s students, created in partnership with Telstra, Commonwealth Bank and Silicon Quantum Computing.
Now, some may think: Isn’t this just too far out? How could this even remotely connect with the Australian Curriculum and be accessible to students? Well first, take a look at what the Grokiverse has to offer schools.
Enter the tiny, cold and weird quantum world
(Warning: May contain traces of cutting-edge science. No Electrons were hurt in the making of this challenge)
Grok Academy’s Intro to Quantum Computing course blends conventional computing including binary data, science, and math with the latest industry knowledge to address challenging topics such as cryptography, climate change, and drug development.
Students can challenge today’s computers, while at the same time re-thinking how computers work.
Electron spin and magnetism
The course invites students to explore the tiny world of the microcosmos, diving deep into computing at the atomic level, exploring the life of electrons, and the relationship between electro-magnetism and computing.
D.I.Y at home quantum computing
Along the way, students will journey into the labs at Silicon Quantum Computing (SQC) in Sydney through a virtual tour and perform virtual experiments on some of SQC’s equipment from the safety of their own computers.
The Grok team will guide students in making their quantum computing components.
Travel to the coldest place in outer space, and back
By exploring this tiny world, students will also explore temperature properties at the atomic level by journeying into outer space in search of the coldest place in the universe, which eventually leads back to Earth. In the extreme cold of a cryogenic freezer, students will control individual electrons through electromagnetic waves and learn about some weird quantum concepts, such as ‘superposition’ and ‘entanglement.’
For teachers, the Grok Academy team can provide a great lesson plan that provides a good overview and entry points into the course and curriculum mapping.
All aboard the quantum school bus!
The Quantum Computing Challenge is freely available for year 5–12 Australian students through the Grok Academy website. To get started with student account setup, teachers can refer to the Teacher Grok-it Guide.
For more information, visit the course page here.
Further reading:
- Student coding challenge surges in popularity
- Educating students for a changing technological future
