Let's sprint toward a smarter quantum future—together.
This summer, SC Quantum is launching a regional pilot as part of our NSF Regional Innovation Engines engagement to help advance quantum education across South Carolina and the Southeast. Through the SCQ Summer Sprint, professionals and leaders in diverse fields from the defined region of service for our Innovation Engine (North and South Carolina) are invited to test out leading online quantum learning platforms at no cost. Access is available through the first week of August.
If you're an educator, we can provide access for you to test platforms with a group of your students to evaluate how the tools work in real-time with tomorrow's leaders. Help us understand how these platforms support, enhance, or require updates in order to strengthen your curriculum.
If you are in industry or other organizations, consider testing a platform with a cohort of your peers. You can all gain knowledge while supporting each other. This will yield valuable insights into how the modules might work for training and upskilling—key components of workforce development here in South Carolina and the Southeast.
Whether you’re exploring quantum for the first time or diving deeper into technical training, this is a chance to help shape how quantum literacy evolves in our region.
Why It Matters
Summer Sprint 2025 is an important step in a broader effort to build quantum literacy and ensure that South Carolinians—and the Southeast as a whole—are prepared for a future shaped by quantum technologies. SC Quantum believes that investing in people is as critical as advancing quantum hardware and software. This initiative puts that belief into action by making powerful learning tools accessible to a wide audience and using participant feedback to shape future strategy. The Summer Sprint initiative builds on SC Quantum’s leadership role as a finalist in the National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines initiative and the collaborative partnerships built during this process.
"Summer Sprint 2025 is about listening closely to our community. We want to understand what’s working and what’s not when it comes to emerging quantum education platforms. This input will help shape the next phase of building regional pathways to quantum learning and literacy.”
– Katie Levkoff, Senior Manager of Engagement, SC Quantum
👨💻 Who should participate?
This pilot is open to individuals working in or alongside science, technology, and education sectors within our NSF Innovation Engine region of service (North and South Carolina), including:
+ University and college faculty and researchers
+ Industry professionals and technical teams
+ Government and legislative staff
+ Students and early-career professionals
+ Media professionals covering tech, science, or policy
🧰 What you get:
Participants will receive no-cost access to top-tier quantum learning platforms—designed to help you explore content that matches your interests and professional needs.
+ Free access to up to two online platforms focused on quantum education
+ A range of tools—from concept overviews to programming environments
+ Access valid through the first week of August 2025
+ A chance to shape regional learning strategies and future programs
✅ What we'll ask of you:
Try the platforms and tell us about your experience so we can understand what works and what’s needed next.
+ Review the platforms (summaries are below)
+ Select one or two platforms that align with your interests or needs
+ Complete the short interest form to gain access
+ If you're an educator, consider running this sprint with students
+ If you're in a corporate environment, consider testing with a cohort
+ After your sprint, complete a brief 20-minute feedback survey by August 31
Try. Tinker. Tell Us What You Think.
Explore the tools shaping tomorrow’s quantum talent—right here in the Southeast. Summaries and links for the platforms are provided below to give you a preliminary look at the platforms you can access as part of the SCQ Summer Sprint. You can evaluate up to two platforms during the trial period. Complete the Interest Form below the summaries to gain access.
Black Opal from Q-CTRL is a self-paced, interactive learning platform designed to build foundational understanding of quantum computing. The curriculum spans ten modules, each focused on core concepts like superposition, entanglement, quantum gates, and error mitigation. It uses visual explanations and interactive tools to help users explore abstract topics without requiring prior experience in quantum mechanics or coding.
The platform includes short lessons and quizzes, and offers a badge-based progress system that may appeal to independent learners. While the content is designed to be accessible to newcomers, it also includes material relevant for those seeking a conceptual refresher.
Classiq for Academia provides a high-level quantum development platform (IDE, high-level language, compiler, and OS) that automates quantum programming, allowing enterprises and researchers to build sophisticated quantum applications without requiring deep quantum expertise. The Classiq platform utilizes proprietary algorithmic quantum circuit compilation technology to rapidly synthesize quantum circuits with millions of gates, enabling quantum programs to scale and run on any gate-based quantum computer. (Available to educators and students of academic institutions)
IBM Qiskit Global Summer School 2025 is a self-paced virtual program featuring fourteen online lectures and hands-on labs designed by IBM Quantum. The course explores the evolution of quantum technologies, from foundational theory to emerging applications in fault-tolerant quantum computing. Participants will have access to live Q&A sessions, guest lectures from leading researchers, and real-time support through a dedicated Discord server.
qBook from qBraid is a hands-on learning platform by qBraid, designed specifically for quantum computing, featuring video lectures, interactive widgets, quizzes, and integrated coding exercises. qBook adopts a learn-by-doing approach and offers a variety of courses across different levels. Educators can also create and deploy their own custom courses.
The platform is connected to qBraid’s broader cloud ecosystem, giving users the ability to run quantum jobs across multiple hardware and software backends. This feature can be particularly useful for professionals or researchers looking to compare tools and environments without managing separate infrastructure. While qBook assumes some comfort with technical tools, the platform is intended to support independent exploration as well as structured learning. For those evaluating quantum platforms, qBook offers a window into the programming side of quantum technologies and the practical experience of writing and executing code.
QliteX is a digital learning platform developed by the National Quantum Literacy Network to support foundational education in quantum science. Designed with accessibility in mind, it targets high school students and early learners who are new to the field, including those in underrepresented or underserved communities.
The visual, hands-on platform is comprised of seven technologies across ten modules incorporating games and Qbot, an AI assistant that helps learners adapt to their level of understanding. Core quantum concepts are introduced through interactive lessons, real-world examples, and introductory science content. While not focused on programming or algorithm design, QliteX is intended to build awareness of quantum technologies and their relevance in society, supporting broader STEM readiness.
Educators can use QliteX to integrate quantum literacy into existing science or technology curricula. The platform aligns with national goals to diversify the quantum workforce and aims to serve as an on-ramp for students who may later pursue further study or careers in quantum-related fields.
Join the SCQ Summer Sprint!
Try out up to two online platforms this summer—free access through mid-August. Take the first step by filling out the form below.