Learn more about Lucy Cavendish student, Tara Murphy, and her fascinating work on making quantum physics more accessible.
“The year is 2122, and in a land not far away,
Qubit the Cat is fast asleep, not yet ready to play.
His Quantum Computing bed may look uncomfortable at first,
It’s wires and metal boxes, you’d think this bed must be the worst!”
…
And so begins the adventures of Qubit the Cat, in a recently self-published Colouring Book ‘The Colouring Adventures of Qubit the Cat’ by Lucy Cavendish student, Tara Murphy.
Tara, a NanoDTC student at Cavendish Laboratories, has always had an interest in Quantum Physics and a strong desire to make it more accessible to a broader audience. During her undergraduate studies in Theoretical Physics at Trinity College Dublin, Tara actively participated in Outreach Programs and took on the role of tutoring school students in Mathematics, Chemistry, and Physics. It was during these tutoring sessions that she observed the students' curiosity about scientific research conducted in university laboratories and industries. They often inquired about the "quantum world" and the meaning behind the term. However, many of them considered it a daunting and incomprehensible concept and were often reluctant to ask as many thought it was beyond their means of understanding. Nevertheless, Tara successfully introduced them to the fundamental concepts of quantum physics, helping them grasp these ideas with ease.
Embarking on a mission to bring Quantum Physics to a younger audience, Tara started by attending multiple outreach workshops at Cambridge. Her efforts led to the creation of a book about Qubit the Cat, cleverly presenting the fascinating world of quantum computing with an enjoyable and captivating approach. From demystifying the devices behind quantum technologies to exploring the practical applications of quantum computing, Tara provides students with a delightful and accessible introduction to the once daunting word "quantum," making it far less intimidating for them!
If you want to buy your own Colouring Book and introduce Quantum Physics to your family, click here.