Quantum mechanics for everyone: Hands-on activities integrated with technology

TLDR

Quantum mechanics is typically taught late in the first year of physics and is viewed as too abstract for students until they master classical physics. The authors aim to challenge this view by developing instructional materials that integrate quantum mechanics throughout the first physics course. They transferred these materials and the basic approach to higher‑level courses, describing the resources and their implementation. The hands‑on approach broadens student engagement, and results from using the materials demonstrate its effectiveness.

Abstract

Quantum mechanics is frequently taught toward the end of the first year of physics if it is taught at all. Many physics instructors believe that quantum mechanics is a very abstract subject that cannot be understood until students have learned much of classical physics. We are challenging this belief by creating instructional materials for quantum mechanics that can be integrated throughout the first physics course. In addition, we have transferred some of the materials and the basic approach to higher-level courses. The result is a hands-on approach to learning and teaching quantum mechanics for a broad spectrum of students. We describe some of our materials and the results of using these materials with students.