First Arizona Quantum Boot Camp Kicks off in GCRB Building: A New Generation Tackling the Grand Challenges of Quantum

The very first Arizona Quantum Boot Camp at the University of Arizona was a resounding success. Undergraduate and high school students came from across Arizona to explore the fundamentals of quantum science. The summer camp was also one of the first events held in the newly opened Grand Challenges Research Building, a fitting location to discuss the challenges presented by quantum sciences with the next generation of scientists and innovators.

The four-day event was led by the University of Arizona’s Wyant College of Optical Sciences and organized in collaboration with Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University. It introduced 26 “quantum-curious” students to key concepts in quantum science through lectures, talks, and lab tours. From a broad perspective, topics included quantum states, superposition, entanglement, quantum dynamics, and more. Participants came from the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, Pima Community College, and local high schools, with approximately 50% of participants being women. The students attended talks led by faculty and scientists actively working in these fields and learned about cutting-edge areas like quantum information science, quantum optics, and quantum materials.

The lineup of speakers included, from the University of Arizona, Kanu Sinha, assistant professor of optical sciences; Mohamed ElKabbash, assistant professor of optical sciences; Kyle Seyler, assistant professor of optical sciences; Daniel Soh, associate professor of optical sciences; and Dal Wilson, associate professor of optical sciences. Also included were Christian Arenz, assistant professor of electrical, computer, and energy engineering from Arizona State University; Ryan Behunin, assistant professor of applied physics and materials science from Northern Arizona University; and Alicia Magann, Truman Fellow at Sandia National Laboratories. 

As a collaboration between Hispanic-Serving Institutions, the event highlighted a commitment to empowering underrepresented minority students and fostering a diverse future quantum workforce. Reflecting on the event, Sinha, the lead organizer, said, "We were amazed by the enthusiastic student engagement, and we are certainly excited to continue hosting this annually. Though maybe next time in Flagstaff, for more pleasant summer weather!"

A special thank you for all their hard work that made this program happen, for Kanu Sinha, lead organizer and assistant professor of optical sciences; Brianna Moreno, senior coordinator for NSF-ERC Center for Quantum Networks (CQN); and Julie Emms, administrative director for CQN. Additionally, several U of A graduate students supported the event by leading lab tours and interactive sessions with the quantum campers: Prajit Dhara, Morgan Choi, Ian Tillman, Alexander Wendt, Aman Agrawal, Annyun Das, Clemens Jakubec, Alexander Charles Condos. Finally, funding sources included CQN, AQuI and ASU's Quantum Collaborative.