Making Quantum Accessible: A Seven-Category Framework for K-12 Quantum Education

TL;DR

This paper presents a comprehensive seven-category framework for teaching quantum physics and quantum computing to K-12 students, based on literature review and expert insights, to facilitate diverse educational approaches.

Contribution

It introduces a novel, structured framework categorizing seven different teaching approaches for accessible quantum education at the primary and secondary levels.

Findings

Identified seven key teaching approaches for K-12 quantum education.

Summarized advantages and disadvantages of each approach.

Provided a practical framework for educators to adopt diverse methods.

Abstract

We conducted a literature review and expert interviews to determine the most common methods being used to teach quantum physics and quantum computing concepts to primary and secondary students. Based on the findings of this review, we provide a framework of seven categories of teaching approaches for teaching mathematically accessible quantum concepts; they are Defamiliarization, Quantum Picturalism, Spin-First Approach, Einstein-First Approach, Many Paths Approach, Historical Development Approach and Game-based Quantum Learning. We summarise each of these teaching methods and overview their advantages and disadvantages of each method. Our framework makes it easy for physics educators to embrace the diverse methods of teaching quantum physics and quantum computing at the primary and secondary level.