Bringing Quantum Science to the Next Generation: The 2023 QCaMP Program Returns to New Mexico with Hands-On Activities and Paid Stipends for Participants

The 2023 Quantum Computing, Mathematics, and Physics (QCaMP) program is returning to New Mexico for its third year, with the goal of inspiring the next generation of scientists in the field of quantum science. This four-week in-person camp for students and three-day camp for teachers will be held in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and the Bay Area of California from July 1 to 26.

Scientists from Sandia National Laboratories, along with instructors from Los Alamos National Laboratory and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, will teach high school students and teachers in New Mexico the fundamentals of quantum computing. Through hands-on activities, participants will gain a better understanding of quantum physics and learn how to apply these concepts to computing problems in new and innovative ways.

The program was originally a virtual-only camp when it was created in 2022 by Sandia employees Megan Ivory and Jake Douglass. Since then, it has grown into an in-person camp that provides a paid stipend to participants to ensure they can fully engage in the program without having to choose between working a summer job and learning about science. The camp has been made possible with the help of partners across New Mexico, including Los Alamos National Laboratory, the University of New Mexico, and the Computer Science Alliance.

This year’s student camp is scheduled to be held from July 1 to 26 while the teacher’s camp took place earlier in June. With plans to reach more teachers and students in the future, QCaMP continues to play a crucial role in introducing young minds to the exciting field of quantum science.