What do quantum physicists know about gravitational waves and dark matter?

Suitable for 14 to 19-year-olds (secondary and high schools, and college), this article and accompanying activity sheet can be used in the classroom or shared with students online.

This resource links to KS4 and KS5 physics and maths.

It can also be used as a careers resource and links to Gatsby Benchmarks:
Gatsby Benchmark 2: Learning from career and labour market information
Gatsby Benchmark 4: Linking curriculum learning to careers

• This teaching resource explains the work of Dr William Campbell and Emma Paterson at The University of Western Australia. As quantum physicists, Emma and Will are using quantum technology for different applications: while Will is hoping to discover new gravitational waves, Emma is focusing on detecting dark matter.
• This resource also contains interviews with Will and Emma, providing insights into careers in quantum physics.
• The activity sheet provides ‘talking points’ (based on Bloom’s Taxonomy) to prompt students to reflect on Will and Emma’s research, and tasks them to create a podcast episode on quantum technologies.

This resource was first published on Futurum Careers, a free online resource and magazine aimed at encouraging 14-19-year-olds worldwide to pursue careers in science, tech, engineering, maths, medicine (STEM) and social sciences, humanities and the arts for people and the economy (SHAPE).

If you like these free resources – or have suggestions for improvements –, please let us know and leave us some feedback. Thank you!