Karriere Quantum – Mein Weg in die Zukunft

*** Five separate one-week camps for 16-18 year-olds from all over Europe revolving around quantum technologies and the German language, taking place over 2024 and 2025 in Dublin, Rome, London, Amsterdam and Madrid. ***
 

Jugendliche sitzen an einem Tisch und entwickeln kreative Lösungen

Are you interested in learning about new technologies? Are you curious to find out what your career in the emerging field of quantum research and applications could look like? If so, contact us to find out more about our new programme for students and teachers, Karriere Quantum!

If you are a secondary school student who is motivated to learn more about the history, science, and opportunities in the quantum world, this is the programme for you – no prior knowledge required. Or if you are a STEM-teacher interested in learning more about effectively communicating complicated quantum conundrums in class and think you could benefit from tailored, playful teaching materials in your own lessons, this programme would also suit you! Together with other participants you will get to explore the multitude of possible Quantum Careers – from Physics and Chemistry to Psychology, Arts, and Politics!

If Karriere Quantum has piqued your interest, join this new programme and apply for a place in one of our five innovative one-week camps! All revolve around quantum technologies and the German language.

Two camps will take place in 2024, one in Dublin, Ireland (August 2024) and in Rome, Italy (November 2024).

In 2025, three further camps will take place, in London, UK, Madrid, Spain, and Amsterdam, the Netherlands. These dates will be finalised and published at a later stage – so stay tuned!

 
What is this project about?


The GPS and photosensors in your phone – in fact most devices you are reading this on – would not exist without our current understanding of the development of quantum technologies. New discoveries are made every day and the development of quantum technologies is by no means completed. Quantum computing, for instance, offers diverse and ambitious fields of study, but is unfortunately still prone to errors and poses big challenges for engineering, security, and regulation. But perhaps you or one of your students could be the one to make the next breakthrough discovery?
In workshops organised by the German educational think-and-do tank “Junge Tüftler*innen”, students and teachers alike will get the opportunity to experience quantum effects and explore new quantum technologies through playful learning. You will participate in a week-long camp filled with input, excursions and a chance to conceptualise your own projects to be presented at the end of the week. To simplify these complex concepts, you will be able to influence and shape the programme with your own ideas and creativity. Contemporary and future quantum problems will be explored and your own prospects will be discussed. As students, you will also receive specifically developed German classes to further capture your imagination and allow you to create a potential path toward future study or professional opportunities – both in this field and in Germany. As a teacher, you will receive input during this time on how to implement quantum content in class. As well as this, the camp is framed by a rewarding leisure programme.

What are the goals of the Karriere Quantum camps?

 

  • To motivate interest in the topic of quantum technologies
  • To deepen knowledge around quantum physics and problems
  • To strengthen opinion-forming and expression in a technical framework
  • Expansion of a specialised technology in Germany
  • To promote the development of future professional fields
  • To promote an interest in Germany as a location for further study and professional development
     

Who can apply?


We explicitly want to invite students and teachers of all genders, races, religious, socioeconomic, and ethnic backgrounds and welcome neurodiversity. We are looking forward to a great time with a diverse group of people with varying ideas and perspectives that will shape this creative, hands-on experience. Do reach out to us with questions or requests if you need any further accommodations to facilitate your participation in this programme.

The students and teachers should ideally have an interest in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), however, advanced expertise in quantum physics will not be required.

Only teams consisting of two students and one teacher can apply for the camps. The students should be 16-18 years of age at the time of the camp. During the camp, they will learn and spend time with other student-teacher groups from around the EU and the UK.
The students and teachers should have an existing interest in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), however, advanced expertise in quantum physics will not be required. Students as well as teachers need to have English proficiency at least at B2 level, and additionally, students require A1 proficiency in German (the teachers do not require any proficiency in German).

How long do the camps take and when will they take place?


Camps last one week, from Saturday to Saturday.

2024 dates:
Dublin, Ireland: Saturday 17 August – Saturday 24 August 2024.
Rome, Italy: Saturday, 2 November – Saturday, 9 November 2024.
*Please note that each camp includes 3 weeks of a German online course - 1 week prior to the course and 2 weeks after the course. The workload per week is approx. 5 hours.

2025 dates:
These will be confirmed once finalised.

London, UK:
Madrid, Spain:
Amsterdam, The Netherlands:
*Please note that each camp includes 3 weeks of a German online course - 1 week prior to the course and 2 weeks after the course. The workload per week is approx. 5 hours.

Where do the Karriere Quantum camps take place?


There are five camps, distributed throughout Europe: London, Amsterdam, Madrid, Rome, and Dublin will each host a camp with a sophisticated programme around quantum technologies and the German language.

2024: Dublin, Rome
2025: London, Madrid, Amsterdam

What do the camps cost?


Participation in the camps is free of charge. Full scholarships for all participating students and teachers will be granted. This includes flights, accommodation, catering, insurance and the workshop content.

Which languages are required to take part in the camps?


The interactive workshops will be through English to facilitate exchange between students and teachers around the topic of quantum technologies. Thus, all participants (students and teachers) are required to have a minimum English proficiency level B2 or higher. In addition, there will be German lessons tailored to the topic, to build a base and an interest for possible study or working abroad. Germany is heavily invested in expanding their field of research in the quantum area and German universities offer a good foundation for a promising career in quantum technologies. Basic German skills at level A1 would be required for the students.

What do the camps entail?


The week-long camps are comprised of hands-on quantum technology workshops, interactive German language lessons, a public event exhibiting the students’ work at the end of the week, as well as programme activities and leisure time.
Please note that each camp also includes 3 weeks of a German online course - 1 week prior to the course and 2 weeks after the course. The workload per week is approx. 5 hours.

How to apply for a spot at the camp


Groups of three (1 teacher, 2 students) can follow the respective application link below to apply for participation in one of the Karriere Quantum camps.

While your group can apply to more than one camp, it is not possible to take part in multiple Karriere Quantum camps.

As part of the application process you will be asked to explain your motivation for participating in this project in a short video and why we should choose your group to join the Karriere Quantum camps.

Open Registration - Register now!

Application Deadline: 10 June 2024

Upcoming Registrations - Stay tuned!


Registration for the Karriere Quantum camp in Rome, Italy (camp dates: Saturday, 2 November – Saturday, 9 November 2024)
Registration for the Karriere Quantum camp in Madrid, Spain (camp dates: 2025, tbc)
Registration for the Karriere Quantum camp in London, United Kingdom (camp dates: 2025, tbc)
Registration for the Karriere Quantum camp in Amsterdam, the Netherlands (camp dates: 2025, tbc)

Contact

For further information, get in touch with us at kq@goethe.de.

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