School Science Education and Quantum Physics

Interest in quantum physics among the general public has been increasing along with various practical applications such as quantum computing, quantum cryptography, and quantum sensing, as well as their economic expansion. This close relationship with everyday life highlights the necessity for non-specialists to understand basic concepts of quantum physics, not only for physicists and related fields. Since 2000, there has been a noticeable movement in international physics education journals to include quantum physics in high school curricula, and recent papers suggest some agreement on core concepts that can be covered at the high school level across various countries. In this article, the basic concepts of quantum physics covered in high school physics education in Korea and abroad are reviewed, and suggestions are made for future topics that should be addressed in physics education research.