QScratch: introduction to quantum mechanics concepts through block-based programming

• Published in: EPJ quantum technology Vol. 12; no. 1; p. 12
• Main Authors: Escanez-Exposito, Daniel, Rodriguez-Vega, Marcos, Rosa-Remedios, Carlos, Caballero-Gil, Pino
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.12.2025; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Collaboration; Complexity; Fourier transforms; Games; Mathematics; Nanotechnology and Microengineering; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Pilot projects; Programming languages; Quantum computing; Quantum Education; Quantum entanglement; Quantum Information Technology; Quantum mechanics; Quantum Physics; Quantum theory; Secondary school students; Software; Spintronics; STEM education; Teaching; University students; Visual programming languages; Quantum education; Scratch; Block-based programming; Quantum physics
• ISSN: 2662-4400; 2196-0763; 2196-0763
• DOI: 10.1140/epjqt/s40507-025-00314-9

This article introduces QScratch, a novel educational tool designed to introduce fundamental quantum concepts and principles. It is an extension of the high-level block-based visual programming language Scratch, developed by the MIT Media Lab. The quantum concepts taught are presented in a simple and illustrative, yet rigorous way. The selection of topics and their adaptation for this project has been made taking into account the huge complexity of the subject, developing specific intuitive blocks to model the quantum behaviours of superposition, entanglement and measurement. A pilot study carried out with a group of 68 students has demonstrated the validity of the software developed as a tool for introducing complex quantum physics concepts. Thus, the proposed tool complements the original Scratch tool, advancing in the construction of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) tools that facilitate the introduction of quantum concepts to everyone.