Quantum Chess as a Pedagogical Tool for Teaching Quantum Information Science in High Schools

Area of Science:

• Quantum Information Science and Engineering (QISE)
• Chemistry Education

Background:

• Advances in QISE necessitate broader foundational education.
• Quantum concepts are abstract and counterintuitive, posing challenges for secondary education integration.
• Existing chemistry curricula lack sufficient QISE content.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a game-based instructional workshop for introducing secondary students to QISE.
• To address barriers in teaching abstract quantum mechanical principles.
• To foster student engagement and understanding of quantum concepts.

Main Methods:

• Designed a game-based instructional workshop grounded in experiential learning theory.
• Combined guided exploration, structured gameplay, and conceptual explanations.
• Utilized pre- and postworkshop assessments to measure engagement and learning.

Main Results:

• High levels of student engagement were observed during the workshop.
• Students demonstrated significant learning of quantum concepts.
• Students reported a positive perceived learning experience.

Conclusions:

• Game-based approaches are effective tools for introducing QISE at the secondary level.
• Combining games with targeted instruction enhances quantum concept comprehension.
• This workshop model shows potential for broader adoption in high school chemistry.