Outcomes from an International Year of Quantum K-12 Educational Leadership Conference

This report chronicles an education leadership conference to promote precollege quantum information science and technology (QIST) education in U.S. high schools during the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology in 2025. The goal of the conference was to inform K-12 school leaders about quantum ideas, the research landscape in the field, QIST curricular development, and the need for QIST education and workforce preparation strategies to meet the needs of emerging quantum industries. The conference was attended by N=154 school district leaders, educational partners, and Stony Brook University faculty, researchers, and leadership. A sample of school district participants (N=45) reported strong interest in implementing QIST learning opportunities for their students but also reported a lack of resources to do this on their own. They valued higher education QIST expertise in providing professional development for teachers and informal outreach experiences for secondary students. Qualitative data from interviewed participants provided insights on short-term school district challenges in implementing QIST instruction, suggesting that research universities should take a more prominent role in designing and providing QIST outreach activities for precollege students and teachers.