Quantum physics at high school: a collaboration between physics researchers and teachers to design teaching - learning sequences

Quantum physics is changing the paradigms for understanding reality and is fostering scientific innovation. Nevertheless, the core concepts of the second quantum revolution are not included in the Italian physics curriculum. Our research project aims to generate the conditions for the development of the scientific competences related to the understanding of the fundamental concepts of contemporary physics at secondary school level. In the framework of Educational Reconstruction for Teacher Education (ERTE), we have developed a continuous professional development program for teachers to enable in-service physics teachers in secondary schools to introduce the superposition principle, quantum entanglement, and their technological applications into regular classroom activities. To achieve this goal, several types of activities have been planned to strengthen collaboration between high school teachers and physics researchers. The intended outcome is to create resources and materials that can help teachers and researchers create innovative physics curricula that can be used in normal secondary school teaching activities. In this paper we present the results of the first edition of a continuous professional development program for in-service teachers on introducing the superposition principle and quantum entanglement into online classroom activities during the schools Covid19 lockdown.