2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

The National Science Foundation (NSF) suggested the Quantum Leap Big Idea in 2016 as one of its 10 Big Ideas for Future NSF Investments. The Quantum Leap initiative aims to advance the understanding and application of quantum phenomena, encouraging interdisciplinary research to achieve breakthroughs in quantum systems, materials, and communications.
Despite significant advancements in quantum technologies, a few previous studies have focused on high school students or computer science major students, very few address undergraduate students that have various major backgrounds. Some studies shared instructors' experience in quantum computing learning, efforts to teach quantum computing in higher education and investigating students’ learning and attitude are lacking. This study presents a novel tool named Spin-Quantum Gate Lab that allows students to learn about quantum computing through simulations. Spin-Quantum Gate Lab was designed based on multimedia-based learning (MBL) and simulation-based learning (SBL) theories, and aims to enhance higher education on quantum computing through MBL materials, SBL tools, and hands-on programming content. To investigate the usefulness and effect of the tool on students’ learning outcome and attitude, 19 undergraduate students from a public university in the South United States participated in a quantum information science course using this tool for learning for two weeks. Data were collected through pre- and post-surveys before and after the two week’s intervention, including knowledge tests (five items), attitude questionnaires (seven items), and post-only engagement and usability questionnaires (seven items). Open-ended questions (three items) about how they like or do not like the Spin-Quantum Gate Lab, and how it helped them learn concepts. Results show positive impacts on students’ quantum computing knowledge (p<.001), and engagement and perceived usability (M = 3.90, SD = 1.06). However, there is no significant attitude change found. This study introduced a novel learning tool for undergraduate quantum computing education and provides empirical evidence for SBL materials supporting quantum computing learning.