Elementarizing quantum algorithms: clarification of the internal structure and preliminary learning outcomes

Introducing elements of quantum information and computation in the secondary school curriculum is a trend which has very recently emerged in physics education. In this paper we describe a tentative elementarization scheme for the information processing phase of quantum algorithms, and report on a preliminary evaluation of its feasibility on Italian self-selected secondary school students in distance learning. While the test was conducted on a very small sample in special conditions, this work of clarification promoted a consistent understanding of the algorithmic structure in informational terms and, at least partially, in physical ones. The feasibility test had for us a positive outcome, which led to refinements of the approach and further tests, also on curricular teaching, which were performed from 2022 onwards.