Fort Lewis College’s Department of Physics & Engineering is a partner in Elevate Quantum, the U.S. Department of Commerce-designated Quantum Tech Hub for the Mountain West (Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming), acting as the nation's largest coalition to accelerate quantum commercialization.
Through the Q-SPARK program, FLC delivers hands-on quantum workshops, supports student research, and connects regional communities to emerging quantum technologies.
The Q-SPARK program brings together higher education institutions, government agencies, K–12 partners, and quantum industry leaders to strengthen Colorado’s quantum workforce pipeline. Through a five-year grant, Fort Lewis College supports the goals of Elevate Quantum by providing introductory quantum computing education, faculty-led instruction, and paid student research opportunities. Q-SPARK focuses on building early awareness and access to quantum information science for students in Southwest Colorado and the Four Corners region.
The Q-Spark program at Fort Lewis College strengthens the regional STEM ecosystem by connecting students, educators, and communities to quantum information science and technology.
Areas of impact include:
The Q-SPARK grant supports Fort Lewis College faculty and students through hands-on quantum instruction, curriculum development, conference participation, and paid undergraduate research roles. Faculty lead workshops and coursework, while student instructors and research assistants gain applied experience in quantum computing and emerging technologies.
Q-SPARK team at Fort Lewis College