Pathways Program

Being part of Team SparCQS gives students opportunities to learn by doing, from developing and refining demonstrations to facilitating activities with learners of different ages and backgrounds. Explaining an idea clearly to someone else is one of the most powerful ways to deepen our own understanding. It requires moving beyond knowing the words or steps to understanding an idea well enough to make it accessible to someone else. Beyond deepening their understanding, students build confidence with technical concepts, strengthen their communication and collaboration skills, learn to adapt in real time, and take increasing ownership of their work.

The Pathways Program, which began in Fall 2025, adds an intentional layer of professional and workforce preparation for SparCQS Science Engagement Interns, Student Assistants, and Graduate Mentoring Interns. It provides additional structure for exploration, continued learning, skill development, and collaboration. Drawing students from a wide range of degree programs, the SparCQS Pathways Program reflects the breadth of expertise an evolving quantum workforce will require, extending beyond traditionally quantum-focused disciplines.

Participants are organized into small teams, each supported by a Graduate Mentoring Intern. Students meet weekly with their teams and engage in smaller groups, both within and across teams, in modular activities connected to quantum science and technology while developing broader, transferable workforce competencies. Teams select what they want to engage with based on their interests and goals choosing from an intentionally varied set of modules ranging from learning tools such as 3D printing and developing new demonstrations, to preparing work for publication, exploring optics, and engaging with more advanced systems in the Quantum Explorations Lab, such as a magneto-optical trap.