APS and the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology
About the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology
On June 7, 2024, the United Nations proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ). According to the proclamation, the purpose of this year-long, worldwide initiative was that it would "be observed through activities at all levels aimed at increasing public awareness of the importance of quantum science and applications."
Thank you
APS’ participation in the yearlong celebration of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology would not have been possible without the collaboration and support of many in the physics community. Some of the most ambitious APS-IYQ initiatives required numerous hands to bring to fruition, and we express our gratitude to the many APS members who contributed. Thank you also to our fellow founding partners, as well as to the philanthropic and industry partners who made the year possible.
We extend thanks also to the governments of Ghana and Mexico for shepherding the United Nations resolution through the process of formally declaring 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. Special thanks to the Ghanaian Ministry of Education; the UNESCO Ghana Commission; and the Ghanaian Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations for hosting the Closing Ceremony.
The American Physical Society remains committed to the partnerships, educational initiatives, and global engagement launched during the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology — helping ensure continued progress in expanding access to quantum science education and opportunity worldwide. Thank you for being part of that journey.
UNESCO Opening and Closing Ceremonies
APS leaders participated in and spoke at both the IYQ Opening Ceremony, hosted at the UNESCO House in Paris, France, on Feb. 4-5, 2025, as well as the Closing Ceremony, in Accra, Ghana, in February 2026.
2025 APS President John Doyle gave opening remarks at the IYQ Opening Ceremony in Paris, France.
2025 APS President John Doyle gave remarks on the first day of the IYQ Closing Ceremony, which took place in February 2026 in Accra, Ghana. His presentation is viewable at timestamp 39:35 of the Day One livestream.
APS CEO Jonathan Bagger moderated a panel discussion, “Exploring the strategic priorities that will define the next decade of quantum science and technology,” beginning at timestamp 21:44 of the Day Two livestream.
On February 17, 2026, Physics magazine published a recap of the IYQ Closing Ceremonies, addressing calls for stronger global collaboration and a more inclusive quantum future.
APS members named to Quantum 100
APS salutes the members who have been named to the Quantum 100, a roster of individuals at every stage of their professional journey spanning academia, industry, education, art, culture, journalism, and policy worldwide, across industries and national boundaries.
IYQ at the 2025 Global Physics Summit
The 2025 APS Global Physics Summit, held in-person in Anaheim, California, and virtually around the world, highlighted achievements and education in quantum science and technology. Additionally, Physical Review journals invited talks at the Summit showcased remarkable milestones over the last 100 years, as well as the latest cutting-edge developments in quantum science. Nobel laureates, current leaders in the field, and rising-star researchers delivered the talks, and attendees benefitted from global exposure to demonstrate their commitment to advancing quantum science and technology.
- Quantum Jubilee in Anaheim: In conjunction with APS, the City National Grove of Anaheim played host to a public, day-long IYQ event, which also included science demonstrations and flash talks, organized around the segments: Quantum Harmonies, Quantum Journeys, and Quantum Celebrations.
- Quantum Playground: This event featured themed booths, interactive experiences, games, demonstrations, art and science installations, and mini-performances, all with a focus on hands-on, inspiring activities.
- Quantum Treasure Hunt: This Save the Cat activity transported participants into the quantum world through engaging time travel portals.
- Collaborative art and science project: Birds of Science transformed scientists into artists through origami bird crafting from pages of scientific writings to symbolize the fusion of knowledge, creativity, and shared exploration.
- Kavli Foundation Special Symposium: It's a Quantum World: This session showcased five esteemed physicists presenting groundbreaking advancements in atomic clocks, quantum thermodynamics, and quantum ghost imaging of plants.
- Division of Quantum Information Best Thesis Award Ceremony: The APS Division of Quantum Information and PRX Quantum journal co-presented the award session.
- Quantum Science Teachers' Days workshop: APS, the Division of Quantum Information (DQI), and the Division of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics (DAMOP) provided a workshop for teachers during the Teachers' Days at the APS Global Physics Summit and DAMOP Annual Meeting.
- Talks from PRX Quantum researchers: International Year of Quantum Science and Technology: Impacting the next decade: Nobel Laureates and leading scientists presented talks about breakthrough discoveries. A series of on-site talks highlighted recent research in quantum science that is likely to influence the next decade. The session featured five leading speakers covering results recently published in the PRX Quantum collection that celebrates the 100th anniversary of quantum mechanics.
- Scientific session: International Year of Quantum Science and Technology: Milestones: This series of historical talks highlighted key discoveries of the last century, reflecting on how they have shaped today’s science and hinting at the next big challenges.
- Scientific session: International Year of Quantum Science and Technology: Guided by quantum information: This series of talks highlighted how quantum information provides ideas and tools that directly impact research in other (seemingly unrelated) areas of knowledge, from cosmology to biology, high-energy physics, condensed matter, and beyond. The session featured five leading speakers, covering areas significantly influenced by quantum information concepts and related technological possibilities.
Curated quantum science paper collection
In addition to the Physical Review Celebratory Sessions at the APS Global Physics Summit, various journal clubs, based in the U.S. and throughout the world, partnered to curate a collection of seminal papers on quantum science and technology, making this scientific treasure trove much more accessible for scholars. To showcase and amplify the importance of the collection, APS offered a Wikipedia training for scientists. APS efforts helped increase global access to accurate and cutting-edge quantum science knowledge, improved the public's access to sound science, and raised visibility of the contributions of underrepresented groups.
Celebrating 100 years of quantum mechanics, PRX Quantum explores this journey of groundbreaking discoveries and the next frontier of quantum science and technologies.
This collection brings together significant advances that span fundamental discoveries, practical methodologies, and real-world implementations.
Discover this collection of articles focused on the teaching and learning of quantum science.
Partnership with PhD Comics
In perhaps the most whimsical IYQ contribution, the Society, in a joint project with the American Institute of Physics, Optica, and the American Association of Physics Teachers, partnered with cartoonist Jorge Cham, creator of the incredibly popular Piled Higher and Deeper (PhD Comics) webcomic series, to create Quinnie, the IYQ mascot.
Quantum science and technology for K-12 classroom teachers
The popular APS PhysicsQuest kits, a hands-on middle school curriculum, will focus in 2025 on quantum science and technology! The kits are already in production through a partnership between APS, the APS Division of Quantum Information (DQI), and the APS Division of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics (DAMOP). APS will distribute these one thousand kits to teachers, along with a full explanation of all materials and lessons, free of charge, and will work with the units to provide a workshop for teachers during the Teachers' Days at the APS Global Physics Summit and DAMOP Annual Meeting.
APS Quantum To-Go, a program matching educators with career physicists, will be an option for PhysicsQuest kit requesters: a physicist who works with quantum science and technology in some capacity can appear virtually to speak with students. It's a personal supplement to the PhysicsQuest kits! Quantum To-Go visits are dependent on educator/physicist needs, so can take a variety of different forms to fit the matched pair of professionals.
Quantum Connect webinar series
Throughout 2025, APS presented Quantum Connect, a free webinar series that brought the intriguing world of quantum physics to life. Featuring experts from the quantum industry, participants learned about exciting career opportunities in quantum science and technology, as well as the skill sets required for success in a growing industry. Topics included: Quantum Computing: Transforming Healthcare, Quantum Finance: Redefining the Future of Money, Quantum Security: Safeguarding the Digital World, Quantum Materials and Manufacturing: Building the Future, Quantum Technology in National Security, Quantum Agriculture: Feeding the World, Quantum Arts and Culture: The Fusion of Science and Creativity, Sensing the Quantum World: Quantum Optics and the Nature of Light, and Quantum Physics: The Future of High-Energy Particles.
Quantum careers, education, and engagement programs for students and physicists
In 2025, APS and APS units offered an array of programs to engage physicists at all educational and career levels in the future of quantum science and technology.
The APS Science Trust Project will offer virtual and in-person workshops on strategies for addressing misinformation about quantum science. In-person workshops will launch at the APS Global Physics Summit and the APS Division of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics (DAMOP) Annual Meeting, with virtual events following throughout 2025. Public trust in science and scientists is essential for widespread implementation of new quantum technologies and support for groundbreaking research. Attendees can empower scientists to bridge divides by engaging in meaningful conversations about quantum science and technology.
The 2025 APS Innovation Fund will advance collaborative projects to enhance public understanding of quantum science. Winning projects include an installation of a chandelier-like quantum model at the Chicago O’Hare International Airport, a magnetic levitation suit for K-12 outreach, customized PhysicsQuest kits for use in Canada and Africa, a summer camp for indigenous middle school students, and a crash course on quantum information science for digital content creators.
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