Curiosity meets quantum at CQT’s QCamp

QCamp student participants together with some of the camp’s organisers, lecturers and tutors.

There was an energetic buzz about CQT while 37 pre-university students attended QCamp, our annual outreach camp on quantum technologies. Over five days from 5 June, the students took part in a packed programme comprising lectures, tutorials, lab tours and hands-on experiments.

“I think it was great and really made my holidays. This convinced me to really consider q[uantum] computing as a career and thanks to all the facilitators that made it happen!!” said one QCamp student in their feedback form.

QCamp was fully subscribed with students coming from 15 different junior colleges and polytechnics in Singapore. They were selected from 110 applicants.

This year’s QCamp was organised by PhD students Clara Fontaine, Zaw Lin Htoo, Angelina Frank, Clive Aw, Chee Chong Hian, Wu Shuin Jian, Elizaveta Maksimova and Bao Jinge. The organising committee was supported by the Centre’s staff and researchers.

“QCamp was a vibrant and energizing space where students and CQTians connected to collaboratively explore quantum technologies. But more meaningfully to us, it was an intersection of diversely curious folks to engage with all angles of being a scientist,” said Clara. “We are beyond happy to see that CQTians and students got a lot out of this QCamp, and are eager to see what we can create next year.”

Topics covered at QCamp go beyond what the students learn in their school syllabi. Students get a basic and intuitive introduction to quantum concepts in lectures on qubits, Schrödinger’s equation, entanglement and nonlocality. They also learn about the different applications of quantum physics such as quantum cryptography, quantum computing and quantum chemistry. For quantum cryptography, the students had a chance to send encrypted messages themselves during a hands-on experimental activity.

Parts of the programme were dedicated to equipping the students with soft skills. They participated in discussion circles on four topics: career perspectives; the future and ethics of quantum physics; the philosophy of quantum physics; and pop culture and mysticism. In Journal Club, they discussed scientific articles, learning from the camp leaders how to approach and read academic papers.

Students reflected on their career perspectives in one discussion circle. They also heard from their facilitators and peers about factors that go into career decision-making.

To get a view of the larger quantum ecosystem in Singapore, the students went on a field trip to the Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE) at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and to SpeQtral. A*STAR is Singapore’s lead public sector R&D agency doing mission-oriented research and SpeQtral is a spin-off company from CQT that designs and manufactures satellite-based quantum communication systems.

The camp concluded with QQuest, a puzzle- and team problem-solving activity planned by game master Elizaveta. Students had to complete one quest on each of CQT’s six floors. For example, they solved puzzles hidden among the scientific posters lining the corridors of CQT. They got green cards after successfully completing the quests, which they could later exchange for QCamp souvenirs and snacks.

Some of these posters are not like the others. The students had to solve puzzles during a “QQuest” activity.

Giving feedback at the end of the camp, all respondents rated QCamp as excellent or good. One student said their biggest takeaway was “A basic understanding of quantum physics, and fond memories!!” Another agreed saying, “QCamp was fun and genuinely wholesome. CQT is a vibe and I'll definitely miss my time here.”

More information about QCamp as well as announcements about future editions can be found at qcamp.quantumlah.org.

Watch highlights from QCamp!