Polis and Elevate Quantum also used the visit to announce the release of the Blueprint for Advancing K-12 Quantum Information Technology, which outlines steps lawmakers, educators and school district leaders can take to expand access to quantum education. Elevate Quantum is made up of businesses, universities, economic development/capital groups, labor/workforce organizations, state and local government entities and K-12 groups.
A new Colorado Department of Education webpage, at cde.state.co.us/quantum, provides quantum K-12 lesson plans and is intended to serve as a centralized hub for quantum activities, classroom resources, professional development opportunities and guidance on how to bring quantum lessons into STEM instruction.
"We are ahead of the curve in preparing the next generation," Polis said. "We want to give our own high schoolers, middle schoolers, the opportunity to be ready."
In 2023, following a competitive national process, Colorado earned federal recognition from the U.S. Department of Commerce as a Regional Technology and Innovation Hub for the state's leadership in quantum science. Today, about 3,000 Colorado workers are employed in the quantum workforce and support about 30 quantum technology companies, according to a news release. The industry is expected to grow 18 percent annually.
The Polis administration has invested $75 million for statewide quantum workforce and infrastructure development, as well as $40 million in federal funding through the Elevate Quantum tech hub, according to the news release. St. Vrain Valley is one of four K-12 members in Elevate's consortium. The Boulder Chamber is another of the consortium's 120 members, along with the University of Colorado Boulder and Front Range Community College.
"It's really important that our students are well equipped in this field that is going to dominate so much of what we do," said Don Haddad, St. Vrain Valley School District superintendent.
Quantum is the study of things at a very small scale, such as electrons and atoms. Quantum technology and research manipulate those tiny molecules to make things happen. Quantum is used in things such as cell phones, self-driving cars, medical devices and barcode scanners at the grocery store.
Joe McBreen, St. Vrain Valley's assistant superintendent of innovation, said he is especially excited about the range of careers in quantum science, from those that require advanced degrees to well paying support positions that require welding, HVAC and other certifications students can earn in high school.
"It's not just advanced academics," McBreen said.
St. Vrain Valley is planning a quantum festival for K-12 educators in November as part of the effort to encourage schools to include quantum science in the curriculum.
"Hopefully, this is the beginning of great things for the state," McBreen said.
Innovation Center STEM Director Kristen Brohm led a quantum lesson Monday with seven second graders from Longmont's Alpine Elementary School. She described a quanta as "the teensiest, tiniest part," telling students a quanta is like "the energy sprinkles on a doughnut."
"They are so small that you cannot see them, even with a microscope," she said.
She then compared wanting to be lots of things when you grow up to quantum's superposition concept, then told them interacting with the environment can make a quanta decide to be one thing. To reinforce the idea, she asked them to bite a red jelly bean and then write down the flavor, saying biting it "made it decide to be one thing."
She also told them that quanta may have "besties" and, once they become entangled, they "are besties for life."
McBreen said the resources provided by the state give teachers ideas to integrate quantum into the lessons they already teach, noting that quantum science is such a broad field that it can apply to subjects that include physics, math, computer science and cybersecurity.
"Quantum is for everybody," he said. "It's really an exciting thing."
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