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What people say
“All I want is the coolest quantum game in the known multiverse, please!”
“I've found this to be a quite remarkable simulator. You can even use it to click together your own experiment.”
“The Virtual Lab is an excellent resource for simulating photonic interference.”
“The result is polished, educational and challenging. It's also free and surprisingly entertaining.”
“Everybody enjoyed working with the Quantum Flytrap […] at the same time very engaging, entertaining and also very effective.”
“Colorful, limitless, engaging and mathematically very deep.”
“The player can test the behaviour of laser beams using tools that resemble actual quantum optics lab equipment, and these actions are depicted in a scientifically accurate manner.”
“Flytrap simulation of the experiment allows performing step-by-step measurements and verifying the violation of [Bell inequalities].”
“I really like quantum flytrap.”
“We hereby strongly encourage its use in the classroom and labs.”
“Another useful tool for playing with quantum thought experiments […] is the drag-and-drop Virtual Lab developed by Quantum Flytrap.”
“[…] a valuable educational tool that provides an interactive and engaging way to explore the world of quantum physics.”
“I tried it and it's excellent, and best of all clear.”
“The game is quite challenging, but it is also educational and a lot of fun.”
Teaching
- Introduction to Quantum Information Science. Artur Ekert, Tom Hosgood, Alastair Kay, and Chiara Macchiavello, University of Oxford
- Outreach. Centre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore
- Physics 116: Quantum Information Science. James D. Whitfield, Dartmouth College, 2022
- CS 4134 Quantum Computation. Jamie Sikora, Virginia Tech, 2024
- PHYS512: Introduction to Quantum Information and Computing. Ibraheem AlYousef, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, 2026
- Quantum Social Science Bootcamp: Math Tutorial. Jakub Tesar and Michael Schnabel, Mershon Center, The Ohio State University, 2022
- Introduction to Quantum Flytrap and Michelson Interferometer. Marconi Van, Magdalen College Oxford, 2021
- Researchers merged quantum optics with a treasure hunt. QPlayLearn, Aalto University, 2022
- Quantum School for Teachers. ICFO
- Quantum Optics Lab. Nile University Quantum Computing Summer School, 2025
- PhotonBrno. Abuzer Yakaryılmaz, QWorld, Brno University of Technology, 2024
- My Photonic Ship. Abuzer Yakaryılmaz, QWorld, University of Latvia, 2025
- Quantum Resources. Global Quantum Mechanics Challenge, 2026
- Der Elitzur-Vaidman-Bombentest. Jörg Thorwart, Science on Stage, 2026
- QuExplained: Quantencomputer für Schüler*innen. Katharina Simbeck, HTW Berlin, 2022
- Cesta ke kvantu z pohledu obyčejného studenta. Czech remake of Quantum Game with Photons, made for this lecture, 2026
Research
- Pathways to Quantum Science for High-School and Incoming College Students. D.-A. German et al., arXiv, 2026
Figure 14: Quantum seeing in the dark (student solution). - Jumpstarting Quantum Computing in the Middle and High-School Classroom: A Guide for Teachers and Learners. D.-A. German, ACM Inroads, 2025
Figure 14. Experimental proof in Quantum Flytrap (via a Mach-Zehnder Interferometer) that stacking two PETE boxes leaves the input unchanged. - Interference of interference effects. K. J. Randles and S. J. van Enk, American Journal of Physics, 2025
FIG. 7. Screenshot of our setup in QF’s VL after 100 experimental trials have been completed. We see that P2,3 ≠ 0 as 1/100 = 1% of the trials have resulted in a D2 D3 coincidence (shown using VL’s AND logic gate and output “stat counter”). - Defining quantum games. L. Piispanen et al., EPJ Quantum Technology, 2025
Figure 4 Screenshots from the educational games (a) Quantum TiqTaqToe (2019) and (b) Quantum Game by Quantum Flytrap (2020). […] In Quantum Game the player solves puzzles introducing the basic actions and logic of quantum optics equipment - From staging to insight: an educational path to understanding Bell’s inequalities. V. De Renzi, M. G. A. Paris, and M. Bondani, EPJ Quantum Technology, 2025Then, the real experiment can be discussed, both exploiting computer simulations, such as e.g. the one available from the Flytrap project [32, 33], and presenting one historical experiment […]. Flytrap simulation of the experiment allows performing step-by step measurements and verifying the violation of BI (when statistics is high enough).
- A Physics Lab Inside Your Head: Quantum Thought Experiments as an Educational Tool. M. Violaris, IEEE QCE, 2023Another useful tool for playing with quantum thought experiments, especially those using the Mach-Zehnder interferometer and behaviour of photons, is the drag-and-drop Virtual Lab developed by Quantum Flytrap [25]. There are many ready-made demonstrations in the Experimental Setups section, including a bomb tester and quantum eraser [26].
- Designing a one-day quantum technology workshop and evaluating its impact on affective variables in high school students. K. Tóth, M. S. Ubben, and F. Hennig, EJMSTE, 2026
Figure 3. Tablet-based hands-on station thematizing superposition and basic quantum gates using Quantum FlyTrap (Migdał et al., 2022) (the authors’ own photograph) - An analysis of demonstration materials in quantum physics education. B. Folkers et al., EPJ Quantum Technology, 2026
Figure 11 Examples of DM for single quanta interference. From LRTB: Computer simulation MZI Experiment [117], single photon interference analogy with attenuated laser [119], Mach–Zehnder interferometer in Quantum Game [42], “Build a Mach-Zehnder Interferometer” simulation [118] - Investigating the use of multiple representations in university courses on quantum technologies. E. Rexigel et al., EPJ Quantum Technology, 2025
Fig. 1: Selection of known graphical representations of single-qubit states provided for consideration with examples. c) from ”Visualizing quantum mechanics in an interactive simulation – Virtual Lab by Quantum Flytrap” by Migdal, P., Jankiewicz, K., Grabarz, P., Decaroli, C., and Cochin, P., 2022, Optical Engineering, 61(08), 81808 […]. Copyright 2022 by the authors. - Exploring and designing interactive physical-digital tools for quantum physics education. V. Casamayou, PhD thesis, 2025
Figure 2.9. Two virtual labs dedicated to quantum optics. a) an experiment on Virtual Quantum Optics Laboratory. b) an experiment on Virtual Lab by Quantum Flytrap. - Introducing quantum physics concepts and Dirac notation at the secondary school level: Insights into student reasoning from an acceptance survey. F. Hennig et al., Phys. Rev. Phys. Educ. Res., 2024
FIG. 10. Michelson interferometer as it is displayed on the Quantum Flytrap website [62]. The program visualizes the superposition state of a single photon by splitting it into two fainter parts, which subsequently follow a straight line up to the mirrors. - Aplicando Gamificação para Interpretação do Algoritmo de Deutsch-Jozsa via Plataforma Quantum FlyTrap. G. Rosa et al., WEIT, 2023
Figura 10. Simulação do Algoritmo de Deutsch-Jozsa com dois resultados: Balanceada e Constante. - Quantum Physics Literacy Aimed at K12 and the General Public. C. Foti et al., Universe, 2021A game revealing secrets of quantum optics laboratory, precisely a quantum optics laboratory playful simulation, was Quantum Game with Photons 2 [30].
- Immersive Cyber-Verse: The State of Immersive Learning Techniques in Cybersecurity Education in Small Colleges. S. Mandal, ECCWS, 2026For example, for quantum computing and quantum cryptography, the user-friendly simulation platform QuantumFlyTrap (https://quantumflytrap.com/virtual-lab/) and the comprehensive project lists at the Quantum Open Source Foundation are useful resources (https://qosf.org/project_list/).
- Immersive Quantum Phenomena Laboratories: Principle of Light and Polarization. R. Bulcão et al., JBTH, 2026Quantum Flytrap, which also uses 2D visualization, is aimed at younger audiences and researchers. To simplify simulations, the platform uses imaginative symbols to represent optical devices, creating recognizability and a welcoming introduction to quantum physics [26].
- The Quantum Education Ecosystem: A Review of Global Initiatives, Methods, and Challenges. S. A. Metwalli et al., arXiv, 2026
- Quantum Cinema: An Interactive Cinematic Exploration of Quantum Computing Hardware via Generative World Models. A. Zhang, D. Liu, and L. Zhang, arXiv, 2026In the optical domain, Quantum Flytrap’s Virtual Lab offers a no-code, drag-and-drop simulator for optical quantum circuits supporting up to three entangled photons [12].
- QubitQuest: Learning Quantum Computing through Mini-Games. B. Hill and M. Morales-Trujillo, arXiv, 2026Examples include The Qubit Factory [9] and the Virtual Lab by Quantum Flytrap [12, 16], which focus on exploratory learning and conceptual understanding.
- Quantum Intuition XR: Tangible Quantum Mechanics using Interactive XR Experience. J. N. Dinh et al., IEEE TVCG, 2026[…] introduced Virtual Lab, a browser-based interactive simulation platform that visualizes quantum phenomena—including entanglement, measurement, and quantum computing—through an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, enabling users to explore quantum mechanics in a no-code, visually rich environment.
- Evaluation of a Virtual Laboratory Platform in General Education on Quantum Information Science. H. Song, IJIET, 2026A no-code online laboratory of an optical table, Virtual Lab by Quantum Flytrap, has been developed to present quantum phenomena interactively and intuitively [32].
- Affordances and challenges of incorporating a remote, cloud-accessible quantum experiment into undergraduate courses. V. Borish and H. J. Lewandowski, Phys. Rev. Phys. Educ. Res., 2025For example, students can begin with the virtual equivalent of an empty optical breadboard and place various optical elements […] to design custom quantum optics experiments [51,52]. These simulations allow students to visualize aspects of physics that are impossible to visualize in actual experiments and are easily scalable for large class sizes [52].
- Pushing the boundaries of hands-on optics experiments with interactive digital simulation. V. Casamayou et al., Discover Education, 2025A similar approach was taken by Piotr Midgal et al. [23], who developed the Virtual Lab by Quantum Flytrap, a digital simulation to build quantum optics experiments. It provides pedagogical content along with the propagation of light, a sandbox mode similar to those of VQOL, and a game mode in which users can challenge themselves with puzzles about quantum experiments.
- Realidade Virtual: uma ferramenta moderna para visualizar conceitos abstratos da óptica quântica. R. de S. C. Rodrigues et al., SVR, 2025Já o Quantum Flytrap, também bidimensional, tem uma estrutura mais gamificada e lúdica para a explicação da experiência. Fazendo assim, que o estudante consiga visualizar sua progressão de conhecimento [Migdał et al. 2022].
- La enseñanza de la física cuántica en educación primaria y secundaria: una revisión sistemática. S. Martí Fernández, Bachelor's thesis, 2025Un simulador en línea interactivo para explorar fenómenos cuánticos con una interfaz muy intuitiva. Permite simular hasta cuatro fotones entrelazados, algoritmos y protocolos de computación cuántica. Sirve tanto para principiantes como para expertos.
- Q'GAME: An Interactive Game to Teach Quantum Computing Basics. M. Moss, Master's thesis, 2025Virtual Lab, a game by Quantum Flytrap, covers optical physics related to polarizing and non-polarizing beams, mirrors, Faraday rotators and photon sources [21]. As an open-source puzzle game, it covers many optical concepts related to quantum physics, and classical physics, during the 34 playable missions.
- Immersive quantum: A systematic literature review of XR in quantum technology education. G. Song, X. Wang, and R. Ghannam, Computers & Education: X Reality, 2024Among them, the popular ones include […] ‘Virtual Lab by Quantum Flytrap’ (Migdał, Jankiewicz, Grabarz, Decaroli, & Cochin, 2022), which can simulate the behavior of photons; […] The application of these games in the field of quantum education has received positive feedback, proving their effectiveness in teaching complex scientific concepts (Seskir et al., 2022).
- Exploring Gamification in Quantum Computing: The Qubit Factory. G. Evenbly, arXiv, 2024It should be noted that Quantum Flytrap²⁷ also employed a custom representation of components (e.g. a flytrap to represent a photon detectors) for similar reasons as outlined above.
- QuantumCrypto: A Web Framework for Quantum Cryptography Education. J. Ossorio et al., IEEE QCE, 2024Moreover, Migdał et al. created Virtual Lab by Quantum Flytrap [14], a web-based tool that allows users to simulate interactions between up to three entangled photons.
- Qupcakery: A Puzzle Game that Introduces Quantum Gates to Young Learners. T. Liu et al., ACM SIGCSE, 2023[…] other games such as Quantum Flytrap’s optical-based puzzle games [10] and Quantum Moves 2 [15] expose players to more fundamental physics concepts […]
- Defining the quantum workforce landscape: a review of global quantum education initiatives. M. Kaur and A. Venegas-Gomez, Optical Engineering, 2022Quantum Flytrap has created a virtual lab for playing games with photons to make undergraduate physics experiments more enjoyable and interactive. With a drag and drop interface, it helps learners to visualize quantum phenomena, recreate existing, and prototype new experiments.⁹⁴
- Mapping a Decade of Research on Gamification and Computational Thinking: A Bibliometric and Thematic Analysis (2015–2025). S. A. Triantafyllou and T. Sapounidis, Interchange, 2026Cluster 6 (with 3 references) draws on works by Castellanos ( 2021 ), Curioni ( 2022 ), and Quantum Flytrap (n.d.), highlighting recent and less conventional tools and platforms in the quantum technology landscape.
- Trends, Themes, and Conceptual Networks of Immersive Technologies in Quantum Science Education: A Bibliometric Analysis. M. Musyaddad, L. Hasanah, and A. Aminudin, JEP, 2026Studies such as Migdał et al. (2022) and Seritan et al. (2021) also show considerable influence, each receiving 29 citations, underscoring the growing importance of interactive virtual reality environments for visualizing quantum mechanics and molecular dynamics.
- QuBridge: Layer-wise Fidelity Decomposition in Quantum Computation Pipeline. K. Sotokawa et al., arXiv, 2026Visualization platforms such as IBM Quantum Composer [9] and Quantum Flytrap [10] address single stages in isolation.
- Visualising quantum entanglement using interactive electronic quantum dice. B. Folkers et al., Physics Education, 2026Current approaches include computer simulations [11, 12], analogies [13], single-photon optical experiments [14, 15], virtual laboratories [12], games [16], and interactive classroom simulations [17].
- The Marb(e)lous BB84: Exploring Tangible Interfaces to Explain Quantum Key Distribution to Adults. S. Delgado Rodriguez et al., ACM IMWUT, 2026Correspondingly, prior work has proposed digital Quantum education tools that explain QKD, including Kohnle and Rizzoli’s [60] interactive simulations of BB84 and other QKD protocols, as well as the online laboratory platform Quantum Flytrap [56].
- Online “Advanced Labs” in physics. P. A. Bennett, American Journal of Physics, 2025Simulators and virtual labs have been widely used for online instruction, mostly at the lower-division undergraduate level.[6, 7] A few are available for upper-division, graduate or professional level.[1, 8-10]
- Teaching and learning quantum entanglement: a discussion on different perspectives. S. Faletič, M. Michelini, and G. Pospiech, Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2025What suitable model experiments or games to introduce entanglement exist? What experiences have been made with their use? [12-15]
- Building Europe’s quantum technology education community. S. Goorney, E. Karydi, and J. F. Sherson, EPJ Quantum Technology, 2025[…] quantum physics labs (e.g., Quantum Composer, Quantum Flytrap, 3D space, Labster), quantum concepts labs (Quantum Composer), quantum algorithms labs (Qiskit, Quantum Odyssey) […]
- Enhancing Quantum Literacy in Secondary Education Through Quantum Computing and Quantum Key Distribution. A. V. Oikonomou, I. K. Savvas, and O. Iatrellis, Education Sciences, 2025Based on the existing literature, various interactive logics, educational platforms, web-based tools and quantum games such as IBM Q Experience are listed as examples, […] Virtual Lab by Quantum Flytrap Migdal et al. (2022); Migdal and Cochin (2022), Quantum Odyssey Nital et al. (2021), […]
- Second quantum revolution: The progressive design of an approach to value its cultural and conceptual scope. S. Satanassi and O. Levrini, Phys. Rev. Phys. Educ. Res., 2025A trend toward game-based learning has led to the development of interactive tools and quantum games, such as Hello Qiskit, Particle in a Box [14], QPlayLearn [15], Quantum Odyssey [16], and many others like Hello Quantum, Psi and Delta, ScienceAtHome, Virtual Lab by Quantum Flytrap, and The Virtual Quantum Optics Laboratory [17].
- A Survey on Quantum Literacy within Gamification in Science Education. K. Theodoropoulou et al., IJAMRS, 2025Quantum serious games (QSG) are designed for a specific educational purpose as tools of innovating the education process through a playground for scientific concepts that cannot be easily experimented (Anupam, 2018; Jankiewicz et al., 2022; Dorland, 2019; […]) [3, 42, 26, 5, 57, 58, 50, 6] .
- A teaching approach to quantum computing at the secondary school level. K. Tóth and P. Bitzenbauer, EJMSTE, 2025Quantum technology education literature also encompasses games (Piispanen et al., 2025), computer-based simulations and experiments (Bronner et al., 2009; Migdał et al., 2022; Solvang et al., 2025; University of St. Andrews, n. d.) and extended open-access learning materials […]
- The Effectiveness of Virtual Laboratory Media in Physics Education: A Meta-Analysis on Students’ Conceptual Understanding and Higher-Order Thinking Skills. I. Fitriah and S. F. Zawanis, ISEJ, 2024[…] less is known about how virtual laboratories can support more complex or abstract concepts such as electromagnetism or quantum phenomena (Castro-Gutiérrez et al., 2023; Dengel & Magdefrau, 2020; Migdał et al., 2022; Tarng & Pei, 2023).
- Teaching Quantum Informatics at School: Computer Science Principles and Standards. G. Paparo et al., arXiv, 2024In addition, a variety of serious games [27], visualization tools [21], zines (i. e. self-published DIY magazines) [11], and role-playing [18] approaches were developed that could be used to engage high school students along with the broader public.
- Educating to the “Culture” of Quantum Technologies: A Survey Study on Concepts for Public Awareness. Z. C. Seskir, S. Goorney, and M. L. Chiofalo, European Journal of STEM Education, 2024[…] games and interactive tools (Wootton, 2017; Cantwell, 2019; Ahmed, 2021; Seskir et al., 2022b; Migdał et al., 2022; La Cour et al., 2022; Piispanen et al., 2022), and other novel methods (Goorney et al., 2022) have been developed as QT are becoming more and more realised.
- From light polarization to quantum physics: Supporting lower secondary school students’ transition from gestalt to functional thinking. K. Tóth, M. Michelini, and P. Bitzenbauer, EJMSTE, 2024In addition, many educational pathways making use of light polarization have been developed to introduce university students (French & Taylor, 1978; Singh, 2008; Tóth, 2023, 2024) and secondary school learners to QM (Migdał et al., 2022; […]) and to quantum computing (Berbhardt, 2019; Bondani et al., 2022; Migdał et al., 2022; Walsh et al., 2022).
- Using Game-Based Learning and Quantum Computing to Enhance STEAM Competencies in K-16 Education. D. Escánez-Expósito, J. Correa-Marichal, and P. Caballero-Gil, IEEE Transactions on Education, 2024[…] an extensive overview of quantum games and interactive tools, including many Web or mobile-based games, such as Particle in a Box [22], Psi and Delta [23], QPlayLearn [24], Virtual Lab by Quantum Flytrap [25], Quantum Odyssey [26], ScienceAtHome [27], and The Virtual Quantum Optics Laboratory [28].
- Implementation and goals of quantum optics experiments in undergraduate instructional labs. V. Borish and H. J. Lewandowski, Phys. Rev. Phys. Educ. Res., 2023There are additionally virtual optics labs, where instead of having only specific modules that teach students about individual topics, students may design their own optics experiments using the same components as in the single-photon experiments [60,61].
- EntangleVR++: evaluating the potential of using entanglement in an interactive VR scene creation system. M. Chen, M. Peljhan, and M. Sra, Frontiers in Virtual Reality, 2023For casual users who are interested in learning the basics of quantum computing or understanding quantum phenomena, there are very limited options available. For example, Quantum Flytrap Migdał et al. (2022) and Entanglion Weisz et al. (2018) are educational games.
- Eigengame: a primer to introduce wave functions and probabilities. F. Sabater, C. Calero, and B. Juliá-Díaz, Frontiers in Quantum Science and Technology, 2023In this review, quantum games such as Hello Quantum, Particle in a Box Anupam et al. (2018), QPlayLearn, Virtual Lab by Quantum Flytrap Migdał et al. (2022), Quantum Odyssey Nita et al. (2021), ScienceAtHome and Virtual Quantum Optics Laboratory La Cour et al. (2022) are discussed.
- Quantum Picturalism: Learning Quantum Theory in High School. S. Dündar-Coecke et al., IEEE QCE, 2023Students can be attracted to quantum through games and interactive tools [35]–[40], programming [41]–[43], collaboration [44], [45], and art [46], [47].
- Computational Complexity of Games and Puzzles. D. M. Costa, Master's thesis, 2018One example uses the particle deflection experiments to create puzzles: http://quantumgame.io/
Press and recognition
- A browser-based quantum game in which players create a virtual quantum optics lab. Inside Quantum Technology, 2022
- Quantum Flytrap. IEEE Quantum Education, 2021
- Webby Awards nominee, Science. 27th Webby Awards, 2023
- D&AD Awards shortlist, Side Hustle. D&AD, 2021
Videos and web
- We're playing a quantum computing puzzle game! (Quantum Flytrap). James Murdza, YouTube, 2024
- Quantum Networking Basics: Introduction to qubits with real-world examples. Daniel Winton, Aliro Quantum
- BB84 protocol. Quantum Secure Networks Partnership glossary, 2025
- "Quantum Game with Photons", as played by Dr James Wootton. James Wootton, Decodoku, YouTube, 2016
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