3/2/2026 Jeanie Chung
Discovery Partners Institute’s “Demystifying Quantum” workshop brought nearly 70 Chicago Public Schools educators together to explore how quantum technology — and the emerging Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park — will shape Chicago’s future. Through expert briefings, hands-on activities, and classroom-ready lesson sharing, teachers gained practical tools to introduce complex quantum concepts to their students. The workshop reflects DPI’s broader effort to build quantum literacy early and prepare Chicago classrooms for the region’s growing quantum workforce.
Written by Jeanie Chung
Bowen High School sits on 89th Street in the South Chicago neighborhood. Less than two miles away, the future Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park (IQMP) is rising on the site of a former U.S. Steel plant. That proximity positions quantum science and technology as an immediate neighborhood reality for both Adam Davenport, science teacher and department chair at Bowen, and his students.
“This is relevant now to something that is happening in their backyard,” Davenport said.
With IQMP anchoring Chicago’s growing quantum ecosystem, Davenport joined a summer research program to immerse himself in real-world quantum environments and translate those experiences into STEM concepts into classroom-ready lessons. That experience led Davenport to speak at the February Discovery Partners Institute’s (DPI) Computer Science Educator Workshop, “Demystifying Quantum: What is IQMP?”
Hosted at DPI through the Pritzker Tech Talent Lab, the daylong professional development event brought together roughly 70 Chicago Public Schools K–12 educators to explore what quantum technology is, why it matters to Chicago and how to introduce it to students. The workshop reflects DPI’s broader teacher training strategy: equipping educators to prepare students for emerging industries, shaping the region’s future workforce.
Preparing educators for what’s next
Like DPI’s other teacher training workshops, “Demystifying Quantum” brought together university researchers, industry leaders and K-12 teachers across the Chicagoland area to stay ahead of rapidly evolving technologies.
“We have teachers who want to be able to engage the students with quantum, but don’t know how,” said Danna Dotson, DPI’s associate director of teacher training. “Right now, I’m really trying to support educators figuring out the pathways into quantum.”
The workshop blended expert briefings with hands-on learning. After an overview of IQMP from Emily Easton, director of education and workforce development for the Chicago Quantum Exchange, it was time for a little fun. The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign physics professor Paul Kwiat took the group through an abridged version of LabEscape, a quantum-themed escape room game Kwiat developed and has been running at CPS high schools to teach students quantum concepts tangibly and collaboratively.
Breakout sessions provided deeper dives into classroom application. Michael Smith and Jaehoon Choi from Grainger Engineering’s Illinois Quantum Information Science and Technology Center (IQUIST) presented resources for teachers and gave a supercomputing demonstration. Roshni Bano and Kyle Tomczak from UIC’s Quantum Academy explored quantum entanglement and superposition through interactive games. Davenport shared lesson plans he developed through the TeachQuantum program, demonstrating how encryption, playing cards and even an ice cream sandwich can introduce advanced ideas in accessible ways.
“The experience of science in the laboratory is very important,” Davenport said. “But so is being able to talk about it using simple tools and simple terms.”
From awareness to opportunity
During a lunchtime panel, CPS educators reflected on why quantum education matters now — particularly on the South Side, where IQMP is expected to drive economic opportunity.
“Whenever a student walks into your door, that is your opportunity to give that student the world,” said Irving Hernandez of Marine Leadership Academy.
Teachers described building new units on wave-particle duality, engaging middle school students in “quantum questions,” and even leveraging CPS’ Minecraft league, Chi-Craft, to challenge students to design their vision of IQMP.
The message throughout the day was clear: quantum technology bringing both opportunity and complexity. Educators are essential guides.
“We’re part of the key components to help our communities navigate these new waters,” said CPS computer science director Kris Beck.
With quantum industries accelerating globally and IQMP under construction locally, DPI’s teacher training efforts are helping ensure Chicago students are prepared to lead the way. DPI regularly hosts educator workshops focused on emerging technologies, including AI, cybersecurity and quantum.
Learn more about upcoming teacher training programs at dpi.illinois.edu/