Two Homewood-Flossmoor High School teachers have created a game that uses the traditional tic-tac-toe squares to teach quantum concepts.
Jeanettra Watkins, a science teacher, and Tiffany White, a math and engineering teacher, teamed up to develop Quantum Tic-Tac-Toe as part of their work with the Inclusive Innovations in the Sciences STEM Education Initiative.
White told the Chronicle the game was developed “to introduce middle school students to foundational quantum concepts, such as superposition, entanglement and quantum measurement through engaging play and discussion.”
They shared the game at the Homewood Science Center’s Girls STEAM Ahead program in March held at Prairie State College. The two teachers were accompanied by members of the H-F National Honor Society who led the activity for the girls at the program.
“They represented our school and our mission beautifully by engaging dozens of participants in conversations about quantum mechanics, STEAM career paths and the importance of curiosity and inclusion in science,” White said.
“In our version of the tic-tac-toe game, players don’t place traditional X’s or O’s — instead, they place ‘quantum pieces’ that can exist in multiple positions simultaneously,” White explained. “The game board evolves through a process that mimics quantum observation, collapsing possibilities into definitive outcomes only when conditions are met.
“The activity supports conceptual understanding of core quantum mechanics ideas in a way that is developmentally appropriate, collaborative, and fun,” White said.
Watkins and White are planning to include the Quantum Tic-Tac-Toe game in their curriculum for the 2025-26 CISTEME365 — Quantum Information Sciences cohort. White said CISTEME365 (Catalyzing Inclusive STEM Experiences All Year Round), is part of the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
The program “is focused on broadening participation in STEM by creating more inclusive and accessible learning environments. As part of the Quantum IS cohort, educator teams will receive professional development on quantum topics, design action research projects for their STEM clubs and implement engaging learning experiences like our game,” White added.
