image: Just the word “quantum” can make even seasoned science teachers break into a sweat. But a national pilot program led by The University of Texas at Arlington is helping take the mystery out of the subject for students and educators alike. This week, 50 high school students and science teachers gathered at Arlington Martin High School to dive into the topic through Quantum for All, a program launched by Karen Jo Matsler, a professor of practice and master teacher in UT Arlington’s UTeach program.
Credit: UTA
Just the word “quantum” can make even seasoned science teachers break into a sweat. But a national pilot program led by The University of Texas at Arlington is helping take the mystery out of the subject for students and educators alike.
This week, 50 high school students and science teachers gathered at Arlington Martin High School to dive into the topic through Quantum for All, a program launched by Karen Jo Matsler, a professor of practice and master teacher in UT Arlington’s UTeach program.
“Just the word ‘quantum’ scares most people, including many science teachers,” said Dr. Matsler. “I created Quantum for All to give teachers the tools and language they need to easily integrate these concepts into secondary school STEM classrooms.”
Despite powering everything from smartphones and laptops to MRI machines and cybersecurity systems, quantum physics is rarely taught before college—if at all. That can steer students away from pursuing promising, high-paying careers as quantum engineers, developers and researchers.
And yet the field is booming. The quantum information technology market is expected to reach $44 billion by 2028—but companies are struggling to fill jobs. Right now, there are about three openings for every one qualified candidate.
Related: Quantum information science is rarely taught in high school—here’s why that matters
Matsler’s Quantum for All program is filling this education gap by equipping high school science teachers with hands-on curriculum and classroom strategies, thanks in part to a nearly $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation. A week before the camp begins, the STEM educators arrive in Arlington for training to teach quantum science. Then, the following week, dozens of local students join the camp, giving educators the chance to put their new teaching tools into action.
“When Texas first added quantum to the TEKS [Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills] in 2024, I wondered what activities I was going to use to teach to students,” said Arlington Martin physics teacher Amanda Benson, a 2015 UTA physics major and graduate from the UTeach program. “Quantum is very abstract. But this program gave me simple, doable things so I can show students how quantum is used in everyday life. It’s really awesome.”
Related: Online professional education works for complex topics
Victor Cervantes, a 2018 UTA physics major and graduate from the UTeach program who is now a physics teacher in Forney Independent School District, said that because quantum technologies are so new, students and teachers are often learning side-by-side—something that actually gives them a connection in the classroom.
“Kids are often really engaged when they start to learn about quantum as they have heard the buzzwords from a lot of TV shows and movies,” Cervantes said. “This program gives us the tools to show our students how relevant physics really is. Also, since this is such a rapidly developing field, they’re excited to be learning something that is so cutting-edge.”
Mesquite High School physics and technology teacher Jaime Govea, who earned a physics degree and completed the UTeach program from UTA in 2018, said Quantum for All helps take the fear out of teaching a subject as abstract as quantum physics.
“Quantum often comes up at the very end of the school year, and a lot of teachers are afraid to teach it so they may opt to skip it,” Govea said. “The students aren’t afraid though—they’re either intrigued or just have no idea what it is. We have the advantage of their ignorant bliss to give them the information before they have a chance to get scared.”
Lauren Adams, a 2024 UTA biology major and UTeach graduate who is now a biology teacher at Eastern Hills School in Fort Worth, said Quantum for All gives her the tools to show her students the deep connection between scientific disciplines.
“Kids often think biology, chemistry and physics are separate from each other, but it’s important for them to see the big picture and know that it’s all connected,” Adams said. “For students in biology who are interested in the medical field, understanding these quantum principles helps them understand not only how equipment like MRI machines work, but also how treatments actually get into the body.”
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a student body of over 41,000, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.