The Quantum Quickstart program offers Illinois high school students with a passion for STEM the opportunity to be exposed to the great scientific advances in quantum sciences and the physical foundations of quantum mechanics.

Non-credit

Residential

Financial Aid

Quantum mechanics has reshaped how we see the world around us. More recently, quantum engineering has been hailed as a science with the potential to fundamentally redefine the technological landscape and our society. Information encoded in quantum bits is known to be completely secure from hacking; computers running on quantum algorithms can solve problems that no classical computer could ever solve; and quantum systems enable the world’s most precise measurements.

Chicago has quickly become a hub for this emerging field. In 2020, Argonne and the University of Chicago created a 52-mile quantum loop as a crucial step to the quantum internet. The Chicago area is also home to two of five National Quantum Centers.

This summer, Illinois high school students with a passion for STEM are invited to apply to Quantum Quickstart, a free, one-week program that introduces core concepts and applications of quantum engineering, led by faculty from UChicago’s Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering.

In this one-week accelerated program, curious and ambitious high school students will be exposed to the counter-intuitive quantum world via lectures with faculty in the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, theoretical discussions, and tours of world-class lab facilities. Participants will see the inner workings of quantum computers, learn about quantum engineering’s rollout to the consumer market, and even play quantum-adapted board games to understand the concept of entanglement.

In addition to seeing the world through a quantum lens, students will also attend sessions to prepare for future careers in STEM and meet with UChicago admissions counselors to learn about highly selective college admissions. This program is not for credit and participation in all sessions is required to receive the program certificate.

Single Session

Jul 23 - Jul 28

1 week

Residential

0 USD

All costs, inclusive of tuition, room, and board, for this program are completely covered. Students will need to have their own health insurance.