HOUGHTON COUNTY, Mich. (WLUC) – A new, state-funded program focused on semiconductors is building itself up for western U.P. fourth-grade classrooms this fall.
“This is a topic that is generally difficult for young students to comprehend, or understand,” CCISD Career Technology Education Instructor and Associate Work-Based Learning Coordinator Steven Kass said. “So, we feel that with some simple accommodations or modifications, we can bring the foundational concepts to the students.”
This is the goal behind the Storylines and Semiconductors program. Using kits developed by the program, students will learn about the fundamental aspects of semiconductors. Semiconductors can be found in your phone, computer, and other technologies. To help them along, students will have stories to follow that will support their learning about semiconductors.
“That really kind of build up a theme for them, or a challenge that they’ll be accomplishing,” Kass continued.
According to Kass, teachers will also be taught to use these kits and storylines so they can teach students on their own.
These stories stem from an in-development, Keweenaw location-based chapter book, according to Western Upper Peninsula MiSTEM Director Emily Geiger. She notes that optional field trips to these locations for lessons will be available, but the lessons can also be taught in the classroom. Through this early learning, the program aims to prepare students early for possible semiconductor careers.
“The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, or MEDC, has recognized that semiconductor manufacturing in our state is going to open up a lot of jobs in the near future,” Geiger said.
The MEDC, in partnership with the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s MiSTEM Network, funded the program through a $201,000 grant.
“A requirement of this grant was that we partner with a talent action team,” Geiger continued. “And Calumet Electronics, because of their role in the semiconductor industry, we are partnering with them to move this project forward.”
Geiger says the company will join each classroom that participates. The program will be open to all 20 school districts in the five Western U-P counties, including the Copper Country and Gogebic-Ontonagon intermediate school districts.
Teachers who are interested in joining the program are asked to reach out to Geiger and Kass at the Copper Country Intermediate School District.
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