European ExQuMe project aims to innovate quantum mechanics education and improve women’s inclusion in STEM fields

Launched in October 2025, ExQuMe (Experiental Quantum Mechanic) is a new Erasmus+-funded European project that aims to innovate quantum mechanics education and increase women’s participation in STEM fields. The ExQuMe consortium consists of experts from across Europe: Finland, Cyprus, Greece, Croatia and France. ExQuMe aims to innovate quantum mechanics education by addressing key challenges for students through virtual reality, gamification and digital storytelling, while actively supporting women’s participation in science education.

At the heart of the project is the creation of five stand-alone, interactive VR experiences that allow students to explore quantum mechanics through story-driven learning. The purpose of the gamified and story-driven elements is to make abstract concepts more accessible and engaging.

All learning materials, pilots and assessment tools in the project are based on gender-sensitive strategies. ExQuMe aims to create new, inclusive pathways to science and technology careers by identifying and breaking down barriers that have limited women’s participation in physics research.

The ExQuMe consortium includes:

University of Turku (Finland) – project coordination and learning analytics expertise
UCLan Cyprus (Cyprus) – educational framework and research design
University of Patras (Greece) – STEM innovations and VR-based educational games
University of Zagreb (Croatia) – student engagement and educational evaluation
ESTIA Institute of Technology (France) – technical development and VR content production
ThePressProject (Greece) – communication, distribution and impact strategy.