RET site: empowering high school teachers through research experiences on quantum and cybersecurity to prepare the future workforce

The National Science Foundation Division of Computing and Communication Foundations awarded Worcester Polytechnic Institute $600,000 on October 1, 2026, under the Computer and Information Science and Engineering program (CFDA 47.070) to establish a three-year, fully online Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) site focused on quantum computing and cybersecurity education.

The project prepares high school teachers from across the United States to bring quantum information science and cybersecurity into their classrooms through six-week summer research experiences where participating teachers work with university researchers to develop standards-aligned lesson plans, classroom activities, and laboratory exercises. During the academic year, teachers participate in biweekly meetings, implement curriculum in their classrooms, refine materials, and share instructional resources and research results. The project engages teachers in educational research focused on developing and evaluating classroom instructional units that teach cybersecurity concepts in the context of quantum computing using game-based and technology-supported learning approaches. Teachers and students access an online platform providing a browser-based quantum circuit simulator, automated assessment tools, and artificial intelligence learning capabilities.

Work is performed in Worcester, Massachusetts, with a period of performance from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2029.

Abstract

This project establishes a three-year, fully online research experiences for teachers (RET) site focused on quantum computing and cybersecurity education. The project prepares high school teachers from across the united states to bring emerging topics in quantum information science and cybersecurity into their classrooms. As quantum technologies continue to develop, future workers will need new knowledge and skills to understand how quantum computing affects digital security. However, most high schools do not currently have the resources or training to teach these topics. This project addresses this need by engaging teachers in summer research experiences and supporting them throughout the academic year as they develop and use new classroom materials. By preparing teacher-leaders and providing accessible instructional resources, the project expands access to emerging science and engineering topics, supports national workforce development in cybersecurity and quantum information science. The project engages teachers in educational research focused on developing and evaluating classroom instructional units that teach cybersecurity concepts in the context of quantum computing using game-based and technology-supported learning approaches. Each summer, participating teachers complete a six-week online research experience in which they work with university researchers to develop standards-aligned lesson plans, classroom activities, and laboratory exercises. During the academic year, teachers participate in follow-up activities including biweekly meetings, classroom implementation, curriculum refinement, and sharing of instructional materials and research results. Teachers and students use an online platform that provides access to a browser-based quantum circuit simulator, automated assessment tools, and artificial intelligence (AI) learning support. The project studies how game-based learning and interactive tools can help make complex quantum cybersecurity concepts accessible at the high school level and produces classroom-ready instructional materials that can be adopted nationwide. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.