Quantum Light Labs: Turning Photons into Power

Maker Faire Bay Area 2026

September 25th-27th

Join us for a hands-on activity that helps kids explore quantum mechanics by seeing how light can become electricity. Quantum Light Labs introduces one of the strangest ideas in modern science: light can behave like a wave, but when it interacts with a solar panel, it acts like tiny packets of energy called photons. In this project, kids will build simple circuits using a mini solar panel, alligator clips, an LED light, a buzzer, and a multimeter. They will shine a flashlight onto the solar panel and test whether photons from the flashlight can create enough electricity to turn on a light or make a buzzer sound. Kids will learn that light contains photons, photons carry energy, solar panels can convert that energy into moving electrons, and moving electrons are electricity.