CT’s First HS Quantum Program Expands with New Learning Pathways

dae, a nonprofit redefining tech education through human connection and hands-on learning, recently showcased the results of daeZERO, Connecticut’s first quantum computing program for high school students, at its New Haven learning studio. The event brought together students, educators, industry leaders, and public officials to celebrate the program’s inaugural cohorts and announce an expanded slate of quantum education opportunities for students across the state.

At the event, dae students demonstrated quantum circuits they built and ran on IBM's quantum platform, placing them among a small number of high school students nationwide with direct experience using a live quantum system. Speakers included U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, Senior IBM Quantum Ambassador Dr. Faezeh Gholami, State of Connecticut Senior Development Specialist Lindy Lee Gold, QuantumCT’s Senior Director of Technology Deployment Vivek Ramakrishnan, and New Haven Economic Development Administrator Michael Piscitelli.

“I talk to businesses of all kinds – from restaurants to manufacturers – and they tell me the same thing: we can’t find people with the right skills, especially in STEM, to fill the jobs that are open right now. Programs like this are important to our whole economy, to all of America,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal.

Through daeZERO, high school juniors and seniors are introduced to foundational quantum concepts such as superposition, entanglement, and quantum measurement. Students apply these principles by building and executing quantum algorithms, including Deutsch-Jozsa and/or Grover’s Search, using IBM’s quantum platform and Qiskit, the same tools used by professional quantum engineers. No prior exposure to computer science is required – dae's unique approach to education is designed explicitly for rapid development grounded in individuals’ learning styles and interests.

“Right now there are only a handful of quantum programs for high schoolers in the entire nation and most of those programs are science and research based,” noted a.m. bhatt, dae’s founder and CEO. “If you want to really dig into the industry-based applications of quantum computing and get actual hands-on experience there’s only one program and it’s right here in Connecticut.”

The daeZERO program is designed and fully delivered by dae, with ongoing support from IBM Quantum, QuantumCT, and Yale University.

Building on the success of its first daeZERO cohorts, the nonprofit announced expanded programming for summer and fall, offering multiple opportunities for students to explore quantum computing through immersive, in-person experiences. Open to high school juniors and seniors across Connecticut, the programs have no prerequisites and are designed to prioritize curiosity, collaboration, and real-world application.

Upcoming daeZERO offerings for high school students include:

·Quantum, Decoded Workshop (Stamford): June 1, 2026, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

·June One-Week Intensive (New Haven): June 15–19, 2026, Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

·August Two-Week Intensive (New Haven and Stamford): August 17–27, 2026, Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

·Summer Six-Week Intensive (Stamford): July 7–August 13, 2026, Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

·Fall 12-Week Intensive (New Haven, Stamford, and school-based cohorts): September 14–December 11, 2026, once weekly from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Each cohort is capped at 15 students to ensure individualized support and meaningful collaboration. Participants design and run quantum circuits on IBM's cloud-based quantum systems and complete a capstone project – a fully documented quantum algorithm they have built and executed – providing a distinctive portfolio piece for college applications and future career pathways. Students also have the opportunity to earn IBM credentials through the program.

“Quantum is real, is here, and there's a lot of opportunities and you guys all have taken the first step to get ready for that era,” said Senior IBM Quantum Ambassador Dr. Faezeh Gholami.

dae also announced the launch of Orbital, an ongoing learning community for students who complete its quantum programs. Through continued experiential sessions and access to industry speakers, Orbital is designed to help students deepen their knowledge and remain engaged in the rapidly evolving quantum field.

“The future belongs to quantum because there are certain problems which cannot be solved by classical computing,” said Vivek Ramakrishnan, Senior Director of Technology Deployment, QuantumCT. “The applications in compute, sensing, cryptography, materials, and algorithms represent real use cases found right here in the state of Connecticut.”

Over the past five years, dae has served nearly 1,250 Connecticut students through programs grounded in real-world application and human connection. Every graduating high school senior has been admitted to college, with 85 percent pursuing STEM fields.

Students and families interested in upcoming daeZERO programs can contact Patrick King at patrick@mydae.org or visit https://mydae.org/daezero to register. Space is limited.

dae is located at 770 Chapel Street in New Haven and, in Stamford, our learning studio is located at 400 Washington Boulevard for adult programs and at the Synchrony Skills Academy at 777 Longridge Road for high school programs. To learn more, call (203) 401-8768 or visit mydae.org. For the latest news and updates, follow @mydae.community on Facebook, @dae.community on Instagram, and @dae-community on LinkedIn.

About dae

dae is a nonprofit, multi-location learning studio, developing next-generation tech professionals who are deeply grounded in their humanity. Part community hub and part incubator, dae provides high school students and adult learners with no-cost access to explore the most in-demand uses of technology. Headquartered in New Haven with two additional locations at the Stamford Tech Hub and the Synchrony Skills Academy, the nonprofit offers programs for adults ranging from single-day digital immersions to six-month career readiness pathways, and programs for high school students that include single-day immersions and a ten-month intensive. Projects are based on the learner’s interest, the needs of the market, and the future of the tech world. For more information, visit mydae.org.