A team from SUNY Polytechnic Institute has created a quantum rule-based simulator called Quantum Tic-Tac-Toe, designed to help students grasp abstract quantum mechanics concepts without needing to use complex matrix algebra. The game incorporates key principles of quantum mechanics, such as wavefunction collapse, quantum entanglement, and quantum superposition. In this version of tic-tac-toe, players can place more than one mark on the board per turn, reflecting the idea of playing multiple "games" simultaneously based on the superposition of previous moves. This quantum twist dramatically increases the number of possible game configurations—up to 10 billion, compared to fewer than 400,000 in traditional tic-tac-toe. The project was led by Dr. Shing-Chi Leung, an assistant professor of physics at SUNY Polytechnic, and Quintin Weigand, a senior computer science major. Together, they co-authored an article titled "STEM Project Design: Blending Quantum and Computational Physics with Tic-Tac-Toe," published in the journal Physics Education. The research was based on a student project completed through the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) in 2025. This program offers students a 10-week research internship where they work with faculty mentors, receive training in research and communication, and present their findings in a public poster session at the end of the program. To develop the simulator, Leung and Weigand used statistical methods to analyze the game's vast number of configurations. They examined over 10 million configurations and discovered patterns in how the game could evolve, creating numerical benchmarks that other educators can use. The team also explored new strategies for players to increase their chances of winning. Leung emphasized that the project was a multidisciplinary effort, combining software engineering with quantum systems. Weigand noted that visualizing complex quantum interactions in a simple, engaging format represents a growing area of interest in software engineering. The study was published in Physics Education in 2026, highlighting the potential of educational tools that use familiar concepts to teach advanced scientific principles. The Quantum Tic-Tac-Toe simulator not only makes quantum mechanics more accessible but also demonstrates the power of combining different fields—physics, computer science, and education—to develop innovative learning experiences.