Effort Led by Coalition Including EPB Quantum NetworkSM powered by Qubitekk, Community Leaders, Universities, Schools and Companies
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (April 10, 2023) – EPB of Chattanooga and Qubitekk have joined with a range of educational, non-profit and corporate partners in launching GigCityGoesQuantum.com, an interactive web site with a variety of educational resources to engage people of all ages in 1,000+ Quantum Learning Activities to celebrate World Quantum Day, beginning April 14 through May 31.
Gig City Goes Quantum is an initiative to prepare for education, jobs and business opportunities in the emerging quantum technology sector by leveraging EPB Quantum NetworkSM powered by Qubitekk to accelerate the commercialization of quantum technologies. Efforts focus on collaboration with community leaders, universities, schools and companies, starting in Chattanooga and spreading cooperatively across the U.S.
“The Chattanooga community’s excitement about growing a quantum ecology can serve as a jumping off point for cities across the country,” said Qubitekk President, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder Dr. Duncan Earl. “The kind of momentum underway here is exactly what the quantum technology industry needs to meet the opportunities that exist for the future.”
“Gig City Goes Quantum begins with education and workforce preparation, so that Chattanoogans are ready to succeed in the information technology jobs of tomorrow,” said Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly. “Thanks to an incredible collaboration of partners from across the community, hundreds of residents and students from elementary schools to university will begin learning about quantum technologies for the first time.”
“We are fortunate students in our public schools have instant access to this cutting edge technology, which will not only benefit this rapidly emerging economic sector but also enhance our workforce,” said Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp.
Learning for All Ages and Settings
Quantum Learning Events were collected and curated with support from Hamilton County Schools, Chattanooga State Community College, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC), Chattanooga 2.0, Public Education Foundation Chattanooga, National Science Foundation, National Q-12 Education Partnership, EPB, Qubitekk and Xairos.
- Watch – Videos will be available for high school through university students, including a series of livestreamed demonstrations and presentations beginning April 14 (see below for schedule).
- Play – Games for 5th graders to adults teach students to build a virtual quantum computer, use AI to teach computers skills and other activities, none of which require any experience or prior knowledge about quantum physics.
- At School – Activities can be easily incorporated into lesson plans. Educators are encouraged to register for a free Quantum Education Kit with links to videos and educational resources for use in classrooms.
- At Home – All resources are accessible and most can be completed at home (though a few do require some extra items that you might need to obtain separately).
“UTC is committed to positioning our students to apply what they learn on campus to advance quantum technology when they graduate,” said Dr. Steve Angle, chancellor of University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, which will host a quantum node connected to EPB Quantum Network. “Whether students are undergraduate physics majors or adult learners looking to add to their experience, UTC is preparing our students to excel in this emerging field.”
“ChattState is focused on growing a talent base for supporting the quantum economy and positioning our students to be in high demand for this dynamic industry,” said Chattanooga State Community College President Dr. Rebecca Ashford. “Having access to the resources of EPB’s fiber optic network and EPB Quantum Network means our students can learn from the best while preparing for the jobs of the future.”
“Gig City Goes Quantum inspires the kind of interest and intensity in a field that our students will apply to emerging opportunities in the future,” said Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Dr. Justin Robertson. “Quantum Learning Activities like these are just the beginning of the kind of unique opportunities Hamilton County Schools students can expect as we fulfill our commitments for every student to learn and belong.”
Access to National Experts
In addition to a wide range of resources at GigCityGoesQuantum.com, livestream events feature nationally recognized quantum experts across various quantum disciplines, including Duncan Earl who designed EPB Quantum Network.
“Tyner Academy is fortunate to host Dr. Earl and bring quantum out of the movies and into our classrooms,” said Dr. Tiffany Earvin, principal at Tyner Academy which is home to EPB Future Ready Institute of Technology and Networking. “Our students are learning about cutting-edge innovation that’s almost unheard of in high school settings.”
Livestream events are open to anyone at GigCityGoesQuantum.com at the following times, and the recordings will be available for viewing after the live events conclude. (Events are open to media with RSVP to mooresk@epb.net.)
- Friday, April 14 at 10 a.m. EDT
Chattanooga State Community College
Discussion: The Coming Quantum Age by Qubitekk President, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder Dr. Duncan Earl
- Friday, April 14 at 1:30 p.m. EDT
EPB Future Ready Institute of Technology and Networking at Tyner Academy
Hands-on Demonstration: Why did Albert Einstein call quantum physics “spooky action at a distance?” by Qubitekk’s Dr. Duncan Earl. Note: This event is open to the media, but not the general public. All are welcome to join the Live Stream and view the recording after the event.
- Monday, April 17 at noon EDT
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Quantum computing by Oak Ridge National Lab Distinguished Research Scientist Dr. Raphael Pooser
- Wednesday, April 19 at noon EDT
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Quantum networking by Xairos Chief Scientist Dr. James Troupe
- Friday, April 21 at noon EDT
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Quantum sensing by UTC Assistant Professor of Physics Dr. Tian Li
Be a part of reaching the goal of completing 1,000+ Quantum Learning Activities and Win
Free activities at GigCityGoesQuantum.com were developed by national and local educators, physicists, workforce development professionals and entrepreneurs. Learning materials can be used in various settings and ages, from students 5th grade through university, and anyone with a curious mind.
Visitors to GigCityGoesQuantum.com are asked to register their participation to count toward the goal of completing 1,000+ Quantum Learning Activities. Anyone who registers will have a chance to win an Echo Show 10.
Participating organizations in Gig City Goes Quantum include Chattanooga 2.0, Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, Chattanooga Public Library, Chattanooga State Community College, City of Chattanooga, CO.LAB, The Enterprise Center, EPB, Hamilton County Schools, Hamilton County Government, Public Education Foundation, Qubitekk, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Xairos.
About EPB
EPB delivers advanced smart city infrastructure and world-class energy and connectivity solutions, including the most resilient smart grid power distribution system in the United States and the fastest internet in the world. EPB gained national notice when it deployed America’s first community-wide Gig-speed internet in 2010, later expanding the ubiquitously available service to 10 Gig in 2015 and 25 Gig in 2022. Ever committed to keeping Chattanooga on the cutting edge, in 2022, EPB established EPB Quantum NetworkSM powered by Qubitekk, America’s first industry-led, commercially available quantum network designed for private companies as well as government and university researchers to run quantum equipment and applications in an established fiber optic environment.
EPB utilizes its fiber optic network as the communications backbone for more than 200,000 smart switches, sensors and other devices. As a result, the Chattanooga area’s power distribution system is the most advanced and highly automated smart grid in the nation. This led the U.S. Department of Energy to name EPB a living laboratory for pioneering smart grid technologies. Since then, EPB has partnered with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and more than 20 other national research partners to play a critical role in more than $155 million in smart city research, earning such recognitions as the R&D 100 Award for its work to apply quantum technologies to securing America’s electric grid. EPB was also the first major power distribution utility to earn the GBCI’s PEER certification for having a highly automated, modernized electric power grid in 2015 and followed up in 2021 by re-certifying at PEER Gold.
EPB is an independent board of the City of Chattanooga which began serving customers in 1939 and today reaches a 600-square-mile service territory that includes the city of Chattanooga, Tennessee and the surrounding area. Visit epb.com for more information.
About Qubitekk
Qubitekk designs, builds and integrates the hardware and software for quantum networks, precursors to the quantum-enabled internet while championing the growth of a robust quantum ecosystem through education, advocacy and collaboration. Qubitekk’s comprehensive entanglement distribution technology is at the core of the Bohr-IV Metro Quantum Network solution deployed at EPB and utilized in its Quantum Network Essentials product line and secure network solutions being developed for drones, satellite communications and the electric grid.
Co-founded by Dr. Duncan Earl, a nationally recognized pioneer in the field of practical quantum applications, Qubitekk holds more patents than any American player in quantum communications and security and has been recognized with an Edison Gold Award and R&D World’s R&D 100 Award. Qubitekk’s quantum technology is empowering the next generation of solutions for AI, machine learning, automation, sensing applications, cybersecurity and secure communications. The company’s growing list of partners and customers includes NASA, GE, Verizon, Juniper, Boeing, the United States Department of Energy and the United States Department of Defense. For more information, visit Qubitekk.com.
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