International Year of Quantum Science and Technology

<!––>In 2025, The Physics Teacher will join in the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the development of quantum mechanics. It is being called the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQST) and TPT will contribute to the celebration by publishing a collection of papers devoted to the idea of teaching about quantum mechanics in the introductory physics course.

100 years after Wolfgang Pauli introduced the exclusion principle, the IYQST will recognize the myriad ways that quantum science and technology have become key ingredients for many of the most important developments in the intervening years. The website Quantum2025.org outlines some of the quantum highlights from the past century (including such things as transistors and lasers and LEDs) and the likely roles that quantum technology will play in the future (such as in health and medicine, energy, and industry).

TPT seeks manuscripts on topics like these with particular emphasis on improving instruction in the introductory physics classroom, whether it be in high school or in college. While much of quantum science has traditionally been relegated to the upper level undergraduate and graduate curriculum, we hope to inspire authors to bring tales of their successes and failures in teaching quantum science to first-year physics students. Dedicated to strengthening the teaching of introductory physics at all levels, TPT provides peer-reviewed content and materials to be used in classrooms and instructional laboratories. Typical topics for articles might include innovative quantum physics demonstrations, new ways of doing lab experiments, ideas for presenting difficult concepts more clearly, suggestions for implementing newer technology into teaching quantum topics, giving historical insights that enrich the course, and implementing ideas for physics education research in the introductory physics classroom. Note that the benchmark length for TPT articles is 2000 words. For more information about TPT policies and manuscript submissions see https://www.aapt.org/publications/tptauthors.cfm

Are you really excited about this topic? Consider serving as a guest editor for this special collection. Guest editors will oversee the review process in conjunction with the journal editor and work with authors of accepted papers to edit their work to improve the presentation. Contact Gary White at gwhite@aapt.org for more information. A modest stipend is available, and guest editors may also submit papers to the special collection.