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The cute, half-dead cat Kitty Q is proving to be a global sensation, boasting over 500,000 downloads. The game app Kitty Q – A Quantum Adventure, starring the charming feline, demonstrates the appeal of quantum physics to children and teenagers. In collaboration with acclaimed app designer Philipp Stollenmayer, the Würzburg-Dresden Cluster of Excellence ct.qmat has devised an entertaining, award-winning game with 21 quantum-themed puzzles, inspiring youngsters aged 11+ to delve into the fascinating world of physics. The gamification initiative is set to continue in 2024 with the launch of Germany’s first-ever quantum physics escape room for kids as well as engaging teaching material.
A Feline’s Foray into Physics
Kitty Q has piqued a global interest in physics since its launch in the fall of 2021. Available on smartphones and tablets, Kitty Q – A Quantum Adventure has garnered over half a million downloads, with children and teenagers around the world exploring the enigmatic quantum realm. The game, available in both German and English, has seen particular popularity in its English version (about 400,000 downloads). Aimed especially at students eleven years old and up, and notably encouraging participation among girls, the project addresses the gender disparity in physics engagement. With women significantly underrepresented in physics degree programs, the initiative by the Cluster of Excellence ct.qmat – Complexity and Topology in Quantum Matter – and app designer Stollenmayer brings a novel approach to education through gamification, a method involving game-like elements to foster learning. This innovative strategy is gaining traction at German universities but remains a fresh concept in attracting young talent.
Kitty Q Has Its Own Wikipedia Entry
“We really hit the mark with our gamification approach,” says Matthias Vojta, professor of theoretical solid-state physics at Technische Universität (TU) Dresden and Dresden spokesperson for the ct.qmat research alliance. Katze Q has achieved international acclaim, securing awards such as the Goldener Spatz in the DIGITAL category at the German children’s media festival Goldener Spatz 2022, Best Mobile Indie Game at the Valencia Indie Summit 2022, and ranking among the top ten European game apps at the Google Play Indie Games Festival 2022. “The Q-Gaming Lounge is consistently a hit with kids and teens at public events like science days and open houses. The fascination with our quantum cat remains as strong as ever. It now even has its very own German Wikipedia entry!” says Vojta. “This success has made quantum physics a popular topic of discussion among children, parents, and teachers alike.”
Recently, Kitty Q even made its way into the curriculum at the German International School in Washington D.C., where students have been exploring quantum physics through the engaging medium of the game app.
The Quantum Adventure Continues
“Our research community is very international, with scientists in ct.qmat hailing from 34 different countries. This makes the worldwide success of Kitty Q all the more gratifying. We want to continue the fun of quantum physics in 2024 – and still have big plans for our cat!" says Würzburg cluster spokesperson Ralph Claessen, professor of experimental physics at JMU Würzburg. Together with teachers, ct.qmat is working hard to ignite fascination with the enigmatic world of quantum physics in schools. “To take the cutting-edge discoveries of quantum physics into classrooms as quickly as possible, we’ve launched a partnership with the national excellence network of science schools, MINT-EC. This project sees teachers and researchers developing educational resources on quantum phenomena together, all with a unique gamification twist,” explains Claessen. “Based on our game app, quantum physics content is to be included in the curriculum from Year 6 onwards.” The first teaching materials are already available for free download.
Desperately Seeking Kitty Q! Experience the Quantum World up Close
The year 2024 heralds a thrilling addition in Dresden with the debut of the Kitty Q escape room. A mysterious box conceals a walk-in quantum apartment complete with four enigmatic rooms, available in both German and English. Designed for youngsters to explore alongside their teachers or families, the adventure aims to make learning about quantum physics a fun and collaborative experience. This spring, Germany’s first quantum physics escape room for children will open its doors in Dresden, marking a significant collaboration between ct.qmat and the Technische Sammlungen Dresden.
Game app Kitty Q – A Quantum Adventure
The starting point for the award-winning mobile game is the famous thought experiment in quantum physics known as Schrödinger’s Cat. Young players are invited to unravel the mysteries of particles, donuts, randomness, and quantum entanglements. Players eager to dig deeper into the puzzles can turn to Kittypedia, in which articles written in an accessible manner are unlocked when puzzles are solved. The game app, available globally in the App and Play stores, is offered free of charge, ad-free, and without any in-app purchases. An update was carried out for the first time in December 2023.
Cluster of Excellence ct.qmat
The Cluster of Excellence ct.qmat – Complexity and Topology in Quantum Matter has been jointly run by Julius-Maximilians-Universität (JMU) Würzburg and Technische Universität (TU) Dresden since 2019. Over 300 scientists from more than thirty countries and four continents study topological quantum materials that reveal surprising phenomena under extreme conditions such as ultra-low temperatures, high pressure, or strong magnetic fields. ct.qmat is funded through the German Excellence Strategy of the Federal and State Governments and is the only Cluster of Excellence in Germany to be based in two different federal states.
The adorable, half-dead cat starring in the Kitty Q app celebrates 500K+ downloads!
Philipp Stollenmayer/ct.qmat
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The adorable, half-dead cat starring in the Kitty Q app celebrates 500K+ downloads!
Philipp Stollenmayer/ct.qmat
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