Hamilton County Schools will introduce a pilot quantum education programme in the fall of 2026, bringing instruction on quantum concepts and career awareness to students from kindergarten through high school.
What the pilot includes
The initiative, called TN QuantumWorks, was announced at a press conference hosted at EPB headquarters in Chattanooga. It was developed by Sheila and Dane Boyington of Thinking Media and will be delivered in partnership with the Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, EPB and the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Organizers say the curriculum will explain what quantum computing is, why it matters and how it could reshape industries, while also pointing to career pathways for students.
"They'll learn what quantum computing is, why it's important, how it'll change industries and how they can become part of an emerging workforce,"
The pilot will enable students to access local quantum infrastructure, including the EPB Quantum Center and an IonQ Forte Enterprise system located there. Officials also noted a planned joint venture between EPB and Vanderbilt University to create an Institute for Quantum Innovation.
Goals and local context
Leaders framed the pilot as an investment in regional talent that could grow Chattanooga's quantum ecosystem. The programme aims to:
- Introduce quantum concepts across grade levels, from elementary through secondary;
- Provide hands‑on or simulated experience tied to local quantum hardware;
- Connect classroom learning to post‑secondary and workforce training pathways.
Already in place are local efforts that incorporate quantum topics, such as adding quantum security modules to networking and cybersecurity pathways at Chattanooga State Community College, and training a cohort of local teachers in quantum education.
| Partner | Role |
|---|---|
| Thinking Media (Sheila & Dane Boyington) | Curriculum development |
| EPB Quantum Center | Hardware access (IonQ system) |
| University of Tennessee at Chattanooga | Academic partnership |
| Tennessee Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development | Workforce alignment |
Potential expansion and implications
Officials signalled the pilot is intended to be scalable beyond Hamilton County. Deniece Thomas, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, expressed confidence the programme could serve as a model for broader adoption.
"I think this will be really the flagship of what's to come,"
For parents and students, the pilot represents an early opportunity to encounter a rapidly evolving technology that influences cybersecurity, communications and computing. For schools and policymakers, it spotlights how districts might partner with local industry and post‑secondary institutions to align curriculum with future regional labour needs.
As the programme moves toward implementation, observers will be watching how classroom materials are adapted for different grade levels, how teachers are prepared, and how access to quantum hardware is managed for K–12 learners.
