CHATTANOOGA — The Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative announced the launch of TN QuantumWorks on Thursday, July 16, 2026. The initiative is a K–12 quantum technology and career awareness program that will be piloted in Hamilton County Schools with support from state agencies, higher education institutions, and industry partners.

TN QuantumWorks was developed by Dr. Dane Boyington and Sheila Boyington of Thinking Media and is supported by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. As the state awardee and initiative lead, the Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative is coordinating partnerships, implementation, and long-term integration with Chattanooga's rapidly growing quantum ecosystem. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga will connect the initiative to higher education and research pathways, while students gain exposure to commercially available quantum equipment at the EPB Quantum Center.

The curriculum introduces quantum concepts through age-appropriate, hands-on learning. Elementary students participate in discovery activities, middle school students explore foundational ideas like qubits and superposition, and high school students investigate quantum applications, algorithms, and careers. Advanced high school students will have opportunities to write quantum programs and interact with real quantum computers. Local teachers have already completed quantum educator training through Sandia National Laboratories to support classroom implementation.

"Preparing students for careers that don't yet fully exist requires visionary partnerships," said Commissioner Deniece Thomas of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. "TN QuantumWorks connects education directly to workforce development and positions Tennessee to compete in one of the world's fastest-growing technology sectors." She added that the Department is excited to support an innovative project that builds Tennessee's future workforce.

"Quantum technology represents one of the greatest economic opportunities of our generation," said Charlie Brock, CEO of the Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative. "Communities that prepare students today will lead tomorrow's workforce." Brock emphasized that TN QuantumWorks gives Tennessee a head start by building a pathway that carries students from K–12 through higher education and into industry.

"TN QuantumWorks gives our teachers and students the opportunity to explore one of the world's most exciting technologies in a way that is engaging, accessible and connected to future careers," said Dr. Justin Robertson, superintendent of Hamilton County Schools. He added that the initiative inspires curiosity while helping students see themselves as the innovators who will shape tomorrow's economy.

The EPB Quantum Center, where students will access equipment, is the nation’s first quantum technology center to offer commercial access to both quantum computing and quantum networking resources, including an IonQ Forte Enterprise quantum computer. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga already offers undergraduate and graduate quantum programs, research opportunities, and certificates, creating a seamless pipeline from K–12 through postsecondary education.

According to initiative developers, quantum technologies are expected to generate trillions of dollars in economic value across healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, finance, energy, national security, and artificial intelligence over the coming decades. TN QuantumWorks is designed to ensure Tennessee students are prepared for these emerging opportunities, with leaders across government, education, and industry framing the program as a model for statewide replication.