Quantum Lab

Quantum computing, artificial intelligence, robotics, future mobility, aerospace and immersive learning at Sunmarke School.

Overview

One flagship lab, six specialist zones.

Quantum Lab is Sunmarke School’s flagship future technologies lab, built as a dedicated environment for students from Year 7 onwards to investigate the technologies reshaping science, engineering, computing, transport, communication and work. Rather than placing one technology at the centre, the lab brings several connected fields together so students can move between theory, experimentation, construction, simulation and communication.

What makes it distinctive

One flagship lab, multiple technology domains

Students connect quantum computing, robotics, AI, mobility, aerospace, immersive media and communication rather than encountering each field in isolation.

Research before spectacle

Equipment is organised around questions, investigations and projects. Students are expected to understand what a technology does, test it, and explain what they learned.

From specialist room to whole-school reach

AI Karts carry selected technologies into normal classrooms, so teachers and students outside the lab can run AI, robotics, fabrication and computing activities.

A complete learning cycle

Students can research in QLAB, build in AION or DRIVEX, simulate in ASTROX or IMMERSA, then use PODEO to communicate their findings to a wider audience.

Key activities and activations

What students do inside the lab.

AION — Humanoid and quadruped robotics

Students investigate how embodied AI systems sense, move, balance, navigate and interact with people — programming movement, designing tasks and examining the ethics of robots working alongside us.

QLAB — Quantum computing

Dedicated simulator hardware takes students beyond diagrams into structured experiments with qubits, superposition, probability and measurement, comparing quantum and classical approaches.

DRIVEX — Smart mobility and electric transport

Smart-city robotics for autonomous navigation, traffic systems and route planning, alongside a real electric motorcycle as a research asset for drivetrains, batteries, control electronics and materials.

ASTROX — Flight, drones and space systems

An advanced flight simulator, drone simulation and physical drone kits, plus a zero-gravity desktop station where students explore how tasks must be redesigned when gravity cannot be assumed.

IMMERSA — Full-room immersive learning

Walls and floor become a shared visual environment — entering a cell, exploring a historical site, visualising a mathematical structure or examining an engineering system. Students also build and present their own immersive content.

PODEO — Research storytelling and podcasting

Students turn technical work into clear communication: planning episodes, interviewing experts, debating emerging technologies and publishing the reasoning behind a project, not only its result.

Initiatives

Four annual challenges, ending in a flagship research showcase.

Quantum Futures Challenge

An annual research and problem-solving challenge. Teams investigate a quantum concept or application, create an accessible explanation or prototype, and present what current quantum systems can and cannot do.

Autonomy and Robotics Mission

Teams use humanoids, quadrupeds, smart-city robots or drones to complete a defined mission. Recognition covers programming, reliability, safety, teamwork, iteration and the quality of the engineering explanation.

Future Mobility and Aerospace Challenge

Students respond to a transport or aerospace brief involving electric mobility, autonomous systems, flight, drones or space operations, testing ideas through simulation and presenting a technically reasoned proposal.

Quantum Lab Research Showcase

The flagship annual event. Students exhibit projects from every zone and record selected research stories through PODEO, while parents, universities, industry partners and external experts question them on evidence and design decisions.

Skills students develop

Quantum computing literacy — qubits, probability, measurement and quantum circuits

Artificial intelligence and robotics — programming intelligent behaviour, sensors, actuators and autonomy

Embedded systems and electronics — connecting hardware, controllers and software into responsive systems

Autonomous mobility — navigation, route planning, sensing and connected transport

Aerospace and drone systems — flight, control, mission planning and operating constraints

Engineering design and testing — requirements, prototyping, fault-finding and evidence-led improvement

Immersive and spatial media — visualising and explaining ideas at scale

Research communication — reports, presentations, interviews, podcasts and public demonstration

Ethics and responsible technology — safety, privacy, bias, sustainability and access

Where this can lead

Study and career pathways this lab opens up.

Top-tier universities in the UK, USA, Canada, Europe, the UAE and beyond. Students are never expected to navigate their next steps alone – expert careers and university guidance helps them choose courses, prepare strong applications and connect subjects to future pathways.

Quantum computing and quantum information
Artificial intelligence and machine learning
Robotics and autonomous systems
Embedded systems
Mechatronics
Electric vehicles and future mobility
Aerospace engineering
Drone systems
Space technology
Computer science and software engineering
Cyber-physical systems
Simulation and digital twins
Immersive media and spatial computing
Engineering research
Science communication
Technology entrepreneurship

Curriculum

Curriculum integration and future pathways

Quantum Lab has a dedicated Year 7+ curriculum designed to connect specialist technologies with existing subject learning. The lab should be used when the technology adds a meaningful experiment, model, design problem, simulation or communication task. Projects can be taught within individual subjects or as interdisciplinary work involving two or more departments.

Curriculum Focus

Computing Physics Mathematics Design & Technology Geography English Science PSHE

Students build foundational knowledge of AI, robotics, quantum ideas, electric systems, flight, drones and immersive media through guided investigations. The focus is on understanding systems, collecting evidence, coding simple behaviours and explaining technical ideas clearly.

Sample Learning Experiences

Program a robot to complete a navigation or manipulation task and explain the sensors it uses.

Compare classical bits with introductory qubit models through simple probability and measurement activities.

Investigate electric mobility through batteries, motors, energy transfer and smart-city transport problems.

Plan and fly a simulated drone mission using coordinates, distance, time and safe operating rules.

Use IMMERSA to explore a curriculum topic and create a short spatial explanation for other students.

Record a PODEO episode that translates a technical idea into language suitable for a non-specialist audience.

Curriculum Focus

GCSE Computer Science Physics Mathematics Design & Technology Geography Business English Media

Students apply more formal subject knowledge to technology projects. They plan investigations, use data, compare designs, evaluate limitations and connect emerging technologies with real systems and industries.

Sample Learning Experiences

Design and test a robot or autonomous mobility solution against defined performance criteria.

Build and run introductory quantum circuits on the simulator and interpret repeated measurement results.

Analyse EV or smart-city systems using energy, efficiency, sensors and sustainability evidence.

Use flight or drone simulation data to study motion, control, navigation and performance.

Develop an immersive curriculum experience or technical demonstration for a defined audience.

Produce a research interview or debate on the social, economic or ethical impact of an emerging technology.

Curriculum Focus

A-Level Physics Computer Science Mathematics Design & Technology Geography Business Media Extended Project Qualification

Students undertake deeper research and more independent projects using specialist zones as investigation and prototyping environments. They are expected to justify methods, evaluate evidence, consider uncertainty and communicate work to authentic audiences.

Sample Learning Experiences

Complete an extended research project involving quantum computing, robotics, autonomy, mobility, aerospace or immersive technology.

Develop and evaluate a more complex control, AI or robotic system with documented testing and iteration.

Compare technological solutions using technical performance, sustainability, ethics and economic considerations.

Design a simulated mission in aviation, drones or space operations and defend the engineering decisions made.

Create an immersive explanation, simulation or research visualisation for a curriculum or public audience.

Publish a PODEO research episode, documentary or expert interview that forms part of a project portfolio.

SCHOLARSHIP

Interested in a technology scholarship?

To find out about scholarships at Sunmarke, please contact our Admissions team.

Contact Admissions

Learning Without Barriers

Supporting Every Student to Explore, Create & Innovate

All students from EYFS through Year 11 — regardless of prior technical knowledge. Support is available for all learning needs, including Students of Determination.