Shenzhen Middle School：Building a Quantum Computing Elective Program from the Ground Up

In February 2024, a high school lesson on the theme of "quantum computing" unfolds in a classroom at Shenzhen Middle School, where a teacher explains the difference between classical and quantum computing from a podium. Closely aligned with the theoretical knowledge, students engage with SpinQ NMR quantum computers, which can be set up on a desktop and are the size of a mini-printer, that open the door to practical exploration of quantum computing.

 

These small quantum computers in the classroom are an important part of the "Quantum Computing" course at Shenzhen Middle School, which quickly realizes the construction of the innovative talent training system from 0 to 1 through the mode of "theory + practice".

 

Since then, the quantum computing elective course has officially entered the classroom of Shenzhen Middle School, which is not only a novel  exploration of the implementation of science and technology education in Chinese middle schools but also sets a new benchmark for the cultivation of talents in the basic education stage.

 

Quantum Computing Course for Shenzhen Middle School

 

 

Building and Exploring: 

Quantum Computing Experimental Classroom for High School Students

 

As a national model high school in Guangdong Province, Shenzhen Middle School is positioned to "build a world-class high school with Chinese characteristics" and is committed to "cultivating top-notch innovative talents with Chinese heritage and international vision". Under this philosophy, SZSS pays great attention to cutting-edge science education.

 

Quantum science and technology, with its recent technological breakthroughs and rapid development, has become a strategic focal point for future technological competition. National policy documents have successively indicated that science and technology education is a crucial pathway for nurturing innovative talents.

 

In line with such policies, Shenzhen Middle School aims to provide a platform for students to engage with  and understand cutting-edge technology by popularizing quantum computing knowledge, while exploring effective avenues for cultivating scientific and technological innovation talents.

 

However, creating a quantum computing curriculum system that suits the characteristics of high school level students is challenging.  As teachers at Shenzhen Middle School have noted, classical computers or simulators, with their fundamental differences in basic principles, cannot substitute for a real quantum computer. Theoretical lectures alone cannot provide students accustomed to classical computers with a tangible experience of quantum computing characteristics. To address this, Shenzhen Middle School and SUSTech established the "SUSTech Academician Xue Qikun Quantum Innovation Laboratory" for quantum computing education and practice.

 

Traditional quantum computers, with their bulk, expense, and stringent operational conditions, are ill-suited for secondary education. After research, Shenzhen Middle School turned to SpinQ Technology's educational quantum computing products—the portable NMR quantum computer, which met the school's hardware requirements for building a quantum lab due to its compact size, room temperature operation, and maintenance-free nature. Consequently, SpinQ Technology's quantum computers were successfully introduced into Shenzhen High School's "SUSTech Academician Xue Qikun's Quantum Innovation Laboratory" and into the high school classroom.

 

Shenzhen Middle School Quantum Computing Experimental Classroom

 

With the teaching equipment in place, effectively conducting the curriculum and making the abstract concept of quantum computing comprehensible to high school students became another focal point of curriculum development.

 

Creating a high school quantum computing curriculum differs from the current university curriculum system. Compared to college students, those in basic education have a less substantial foundation in advanced math and physics, posing challenges to the introduction of quantum computing knowledge based on these subjects.

 

In curriculum development, SpinQ Technology has accumulated rich experience through its cooperation with several K12 schools. Following the establishment of the quantum lab, both parties collaboratively explored a teaching model that suits the characteristics of Shenzhen Middle School students.

 

 

Training and implementation: 

"Theory + Practice" Quantum Teaching Model Tailored for High School

 

Considering Shenzhen Middle School's specific situation, SpinQ Technology's experts actively explored and experimented with the school. Before officially incorporating the quantum computing course into the elective system, a semester-long quantum computing interest class was initiated, allowing students to study according to their own schedules and interests, akin to participating in club activities.

 

This approach allowed the instructor to fully communicate with students, understand their learning styles and knowledge bases, adjust lecture styles, tailor teaching to students' needs, and facilitate the transmission of quantum knowledge in an easily accepted manner.

 

In the Quantum Computing Interest Class curriculum, SpinQ Technology's trainers transitioned from classical to quantum computing, starting with the basics and gradually introducing core concepts such as quantum bits, superposition, and entanglement. With vivid examples, the instructors guided students in hands-on exercises on quantum computers, aiding their understanding and mastery of these abstract concepts.

 

SpinQ Trainer Teaches Students About Quantum Computing

 

In the interest class, students showed a strong interest in quantum computing, but also from the side to verify the feasibility of this mode of instruction, which also helped to promote the quantum computing course, officially entered the elective curriculum system of Shenzhen Middle School.

 

Summarizing and analyzing the practical experience of the quantum interest class, and considering the students' knowledge base and cognitive level, SpinQ Technology's experts helped Shenzhen Middle School customize a "theory + practice" teaching model.

 

Theoretically, the quantum computing course is designed to be systematic and progressive, with one section per week, gradually guiding students into the quantum world. The theory course ranges from conceptual introductions to algorithmic explanations, with specific teaching objectives and content for each section, forming a complete system of basic quantum knowledge. Additionally, quizzes are arranged mid-semester to assess students' mastery and inform subsequent teaching.

 

Curriculum of Quantum Computing Elective Course in Shenzhen Middle School

 

In terms of practical application, the instructor uses the desktop quantum computer SpinQ Triangulum as the teaching tool, while students use the portable quantum computer SpinQ Gemini for algorithm design and operations. The SpinQ Gemini, with its compact design, integrates the powerful functions of quantum computing, offering a rich learning platform and supporting direct student interaction through its built-in touch screen and control system, eliminating the need for additional computers or equipment.

 

SpinQ Triangulum and SpinQ Gemini in the Quantum Computing Classroom of Shenzhen Middle School

 

Moreover, students can conduct real-life experiments and practice with built-in exercises, as well as experience board games, offering a variety of learning options to help students better grasp their knowledge and skills.

Students Conduct Experiments on the SpinQ Gemini Mini

 

The teaching mode of "theory + practice" has achieved remarkable results in the quantum computing elective course. Through theoretical teaching, students mastered the basic concepts and principles of quantum computing; while the execution of quantum experiments through the real teaching equipment enabled students to directly observe the unique experimental phenomena and results, which helped students deepen their understanding of quantum knowledge and application ability.

 

Teachers from Shenzhen Middle School highly evaluated this teaching mode, and they believed that for middle school students with a relatively weak foundation, the high school quantum computing course closely integrated with quantum computers not only improved students' learning interest and enthusiasm, but more importantly, encouraged students to take the initiative in exploring and practicing, cultivated students' innovative thinking and exploratory spirit, and laid a solid foundation for their all-round development.

 

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