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. 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 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.
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% pursuing STEM fields.
dae is located at 770 Chapel St. in New Haven and in Stamford, its learning studio is located at 400 Washington Blvd. for adult programs and at the Synchrony Skills Academy at 777 Longridge Road for high school programs. To learn more, call (203) 401-8768.
dae is a nonprofit, multilocation 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 10-month intensive. Projects are based on the learner’s interest, the needs of the market and the future of the tech world.
