Forscha & Inselfest: Fostering a Curiosity for Quantum

A tradition already, the excellence cluster Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology (MCQST) was present at the Forscha science days at the Verkehrszentrum of the Deutsches Museum. At the same time, Deutsches Museum celebrated the Insland festival on the same weekend. For three full days, across two locations, visitors were given a first-hand impression of the quantum world. Both events provided the opportunity for school children and anyone curious about the world of quantum science to dive into the fascinating concepts of superposition and entanglement.

At Forscha, we were present alongside the other Clusters of Excellence in Munich, creating a diverse environment for learning and exploration. Between vintage cars and trams, visitors could experience the marvels of quantum science up close. Atendees could take virtual tours of our cutting-edge research labs, learn about entangled qubits, and discovered how to measure magnetic waves using quantum diamonds. Another highlight were the public talks, where MCQST contributed with two talks on quantum computing by Prof. Steffen Glaser and Dr. Judith Gabel. The lectures are available on YouTube.

On the Museum Island, partnered with PhotonLab, Munich Quantum Valley, and the Quanten(t)räume project. Visitors could create their own pins with various motifs, play a nano violin, or engage in a game of Tiq Taq Toe. These hands-on activities and demonstrations allowed everyone, from young students to quantum enthusiasts, to immerse themselves in the incredibly complex and fascinating world of quantum physics. A highlight of the event was that the latest episode of the Alice in Quantenlad play premiered during the weekend. There was the opportunity to experience it live on Saturday at Forscha, and again on Sunday afternoon at the island festival. The performance at Forscha is available on YouTube.

Both events were a fantastic platform for MCQST to share the excitement and importance of quantum science with the broader community, inspiring the next generation and fostering curiosity about quantum research. A big thank you to all researchers and students that volunteered!