A Multidisciplinary, Artistic Approach to Broadening the Accessibility of Quantum Science

There is a major gap between educational resources about quantum physics intended for quantum physicists versus those intended for the general public. Quantum physicists tend to acquire specialized knowledge through research and courses that rely upon a foundation in the sciences and advanced level mathematics. In contrast, if the general public acquires knowledge about quantum physics, it typically stems from popular media or complex scientific papers or lectures. Learning from popular media is not ideal, as these sources may not professionally vet accuracy or may intentionally fictionalize the science. However, learning from a complex scientific paper or lecture may be just as troublesome for the general public, as scientific jargon, mathematics, and gaps in knowledge are likely to prove challenging and confusing. Therefore, there is a need for work that is scientifically accurate, engaging, and comprehensible for the general public. At The University of Chicago STAGE Lab, we attempt to address this need by creating educational resources intended for people of all ages and academic backgrounds. We do so by taking advantage of the intrinsic accessibility and enjoyment associated with art and using it to communicate complex scientific ideas. In particular, we have focused on creating resources in two art forms: games and theatre. With both art forms, we aim to spark scientific curiosity, an appreciation for quantum science, and an increased understanding of the scientific field. These media help fill the gap in resources, for they strike a balance between education and entertainment, closely adhere to the scientific principles, and are generally accessible, particularly since they lack scientific jargon and equations. While both our theatre and games projects are in development, preliminary results from play-testing the games indicate that they increase appreciation of the quantum sciences amongst the non scientific and scientific communities alike.