Quantum Flagship to celebrate World Quantum Day 2024
Quantum Flagship joins scientists, schools, and enthusiasts from more than 65 countries in celebrating the third instalment of World Quantum Day, which aims to engage the general public in the understanding and discussion of quantum science and technology.
In celebration of this year’s World Quantum Day 2024, Europe’s Quantum Flagship is proud to stand alongside scientists, schools, and quantum enthusiasts from around the world in commemorating all the quantum pillars and domains – from quantum sensing & metrology, quantum computing, quantum communications, and quantum sensing – as well as their history and applications.
The Quantum Flagship encourages individuals and organisations around the world to join in with the celebrations of the quantum community by engaging the general public via workshops, panel discussions, talks, and exhibitions.
For this year’s event, organisers are encouraging participants to develop and submit their own events in their country/city/organisation, in any language and share a passion for how quantum science and technology can address some of the most important societal challenges of our time and the impact they have on our everyday lives.
Philippe Grangier, Coordinator of the Quantum Flagship CSA QUCATS said, “Quantum mechanics has numerous practical implications. From revolutionizing communications to advancing medicine and materials science, quantum technologies have already an impact on nearly every aspect of our lives. As we commemorate World Quantum Day, we celebrate not only the achievements of the past but also the enormous possibilities of the future.”
In homage to Planck’s constant, one of the fundamental values governing all quantum physics, this awareness day is held on 14 April. The ‘4.14’ date is derived by rounding the first digits of Planck’s constant, or 4.1356677×10−15 electron volt seconds, a product of energy and time.
Yasser Omar, President of the Portuguese Quantum Institute - PQI and active member of the 'World Quantum Day' initiative said, “For anyone passionate about science and technology, World Quantum Day 2024 is more than a way to marvel at the fundamental building blocks of our world. This bottom-up, decentralised initiative is a celebration of our global community. It’s about the researchers toiling away in laboratories or the engineers pushing the boundaries of what’s possible; it’s about the teachers and pupils in every school in every country sharing their passion for quantum physics and spreading the joy of quantum.
“It’s about the enthusiasts in every home around the world who are as excited about the science of elementary particles and forces that make up our universe as we are. But, beyond the scientists, engineers, educators who are on the frontline, everyone is welcome to join us in celebrating this intriguing subject – from communicators, entrepreneurs, historians, philosophers, artists, museologists, or producers.”
World Quantum Day was first announced in 2021, with the inaugural celebration held 14 April 2022. Last year, World Quantum Day saw global celebrations with over 400 events in more than 45 countries.
In the US, policymakers approved a bipartisan initiative on 2 May 2023 commemorating and supporting the World Quantum Day. Senators Todd Young and Maggie Hassan came together to pass a resolution that would highlight the importance of the quantum mechanics that are part of the technologies used in everyday life, such as semiconductors in computers, atomic clocks that power GPS systems, and MRI imaging.
23 March 2024 - 31 May 2024 – Italian Quantum Weeks (IQWs) is a project created to highlight the WQD celebrations and consists of a series of activities spread across Italy taking place between March and May 2024. In particular, IQWs promotes an educational-dissemination exhibition, a quantum creativity competition, a national educational conference for schools and many local activities.
1 April 2024 - 30 April 2024 – TOPTICA Quantum Quiz Quantum Quiz is a fun app, developed by TOPTICA Photonics. On the occasion of the World Quantum Day you can win our famous Schroedinger Cat! Take part in our Quantum Quiz in April and enter your high score in the list. Please enter your real name and #wqd in the “Affiliation” field and you will automatically be entered into the drawing. The game will either end after 9 questions or when you have lost both lives.
8 April 2024 - 14 April 2024 – Quantum Week From 8 to 14 April, everything will revolve around quantum at various locations in Braunschweig and Wolfsburg. During this week, a varied program ranging from lectures to symposia will be offered. You are invited to take part in events such as the Science Watch Party on World Quantum Day.
12 April 2024 – QUANTUM DAY4STUDENTS Photonics Austria is a lively event for interested students on the topic of quantum technology. Interesting impulses and Nobel Prize Talks surround the opportunity to exchange ideas with experts at the various stands. It is also organised to find a quantum mentor! Exchange is possible at the respective stands with: AIT, FH Technikum Wien, Infineon, Joanneum Research, qtlabs, RECENDT, SAL, University of Vienna and Blueprint Academy! Please register at alexandra.grabner@joanneum.at or office@photonics-austria.at
