Teachers Explore Quantum Research and Technology at UTC QCaMP

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) recently hosted the 2026 Quantum Computing, Mathematics and Physics Camp (QCaMP) to equip middle and high school educators with foundational knowledge in quantum technologies. This initiative, a collaboration between Sandia National Laboratories, the UTC Quantum Center, and the Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative, aims to integrate quantum concepts into early education to build a future-ready workforce. By bridging the gap between academic research and classroom instruction, the program supports the long-term growth of the quantum sector across industries such as healthcare, logistics, and financial services.

The five-day QCaMP event brought together 23 educators from 16 public and private schools across Chattanooga and Hamilton County to engage with industry and research leaders. Hosted by Sandia National Laboratories in partnership with the UTC Quantum Center and the Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative, the camp focused on the "Quantum 2.0" revolution, specifically targeting quantum sensing, communication, and computing. Participants received instruction from experts including Dr. Rick Mukherjee, director of the UTC Quantum Center, and Paul Smith, manager of quantum computing at EPB, who highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of the field involving mathematics, electrical engineering, computer science, and physics.

Educators participated in hands-on activities and tours of UTC’s specialized facilities, including the Quantum Networking and Communications Lab and the Quantum Sensing Lab. The curriculum covered core principles such as superposition, entanglement, and the function of qubits in quantum computers compared to traditional bits. Faculty members like Shikha Bangar and Lani Chastain provided technical guidance, emphasizing that UTC is uniquely positioned as it possesses resources across all three pillars of quantum technology. This exposure allows teachers like Juney Shober of University High to develop specific lessons that prepare students for future interactions with professional research environments and celebrations like World Quantum Day.

The program underscores a strategic effort to develop a quantum-literate workforce by introducing complex concepts at the middle and high school levels. Bangar noted that early exposure fosters the curiosity necessary for future innovation and research that eventually benefits society. Furthermore, the initiative leverages Chattanooga’s local quantum ecosystem, including connections to EPB and IonQ, to create a pipeline from education to employment. By training both students through summer camps and teachers through QCaMP, UTC aims to establish a sustainable community that can support the growing demands of the quantum industry.