In the Paradigms in Physics curriculum at Oregon State University, we teach a series of spins-first quantum mechanics courses that incorporate various types of active-engagement pedagogies. In this talk, I will highlight the kinesthetic activities used in our junior-level Quantum Fundamentals course and their role in the broader context of our quantum mechanics courses. These kinesthetic activities include the Arms Activities where pairs of students use their left arms to embody quantum mechanical spin states and the Quantum Measurement Skit where the class acts out the measurement of quantum states. In addition to presenting the activities, I will discuss results from interviews with students about their understanding and experience with Arms. 

Currently, the majority of undergraduate education and workforce training in quantum information science and technology (QIST) is occurring at doctoral-granting institutions. To meet the anticipated quantum workforce needs and to ensure the workforce is demographically representative and inclusive to all communities, the United States must expand on these efforts and incorporate QIST into the curriculum at the nation’s predominantly undergraduate institutions (PUIs). In June 2021 roughly 90 faculty from PUIs participated in a workshop aimed at facilitating this expansion. After panels describing industry needs, current education efforts, and best practices, workshop participants identified challenges they would face when incorporating QIST into curriculum at their institutions. Discussions then focused on strategies and solutions for these challenges. This talk will summarize these discussions including programmatic approaches, gaining institutional support, course content and design, and inclusive practices.  I will also discuss ongoing efforts to bring QIST into the curriculum at predominantly undergraduate institutions.

We developed a board game that incorporates the rules of quantum mechanics into the game play, Quantum Party!. The goal was to create a fun and effective pedagogical instrument that could be used at the high-school or introductory college level, or even sold to the general public. We now have a professional-looking game that can be purchased online by anyone. It comes with multiple tools (dice, spinner) that replicate the science behind 4 classic quantum mechanics experiments/observations, a well as a manual that teaches both the game rules and the science behind the game, and of course, cats! Since its creation, we have run workshops with high-school teachers to brainstorm on how this can be used in the classroom. In this talk, I will give a summary of this process and where we see this going in the future.