Thanks to generous funding from the ON Semiconductor Foundation, TryEngineering has partnered with IEEE members to develop several new resources about semiconductors for middle school educators. The resources include lesson plans, an e-book, and videos. The grant also paid for the creation of in-person professional development sessions for educators—which were held at three locations in the United States.

The foundation is part of Onsemi’s Giving Now program. The company, headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., is a semiconductor manufacturer serving tens of thousands of customers across several markets with intelligent power and sensing technologies. Onsemi funds STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) educational activities for underprivileged youth in underserved communities where it operates globally.

“We are so grateful to have partners like Onsemi who share our passion for inspiring students to change the world as an engineer or technology professional,” says Jamie Moesch, IEEE Educational Activities managing director. “The work we have developed together is being used by instructors around the world to become more comfortable teaching students about semiconductors, microelectronics, and more.”

Microchip lesson plan and e-book

The Making of a Microchip lesson plan covers how a chip is created using low-cost accessible materials. Included is an introduction to the engineering design process and an overview of terms used in the semiconductor industry.

The plan has additional exploratory activities, called missions, to introduce students to semiconductor technology. Teachers can assign the missions as a series of projects over a two-week period or to differentiate instruction, providing opportunities for further exploration to anyone interested in semiconductors.

Complementing the lesson plan is the new Microchip Adventures e-book, which explains how semiconductors are made.

Engaging video resources

The grant also funded the creation of three recorded interviews with IEEE members who have semiconductor expertise. The three videos—Electronic Packaging, The Semiconductor Industry, and What Is a Semiconductor?—are intended to familiarize students with industry terms used by engineers. The videos can supplement the lesson plans or act as standalone resources.

One of the videos features interviews with staff members at Ozark Integrated Circuits, a privately held company in Fayetteville, Ark., owned by IEEE Region 5 Director Matt Francis. The company specializes in design techniques and modeling and design tools for integrated circuits and systems on chip for extreme environments.

Another interview was with Kathy Herring Hayashi, an IEEE member and Region 6 director. She is a software consultant and a computer science instructor in the San Diego Community College District and at Palomar College, in San Marcos, Calif.

Francis, an IEEE senior member, and a team of IEEE members and semiconductor experts—Stamatis Dragoumanos, Lorena Garcia, and Case Kirk—developed the video content.

Professional development sessions

Onsemi’s award included funding to create and deliver in-person professional development sessions to teachers across the United States. The first Technology for Teachers sessions were held in Phoenix; Fayetteville, Ark.; and New Brunswick, N.J.

The Arizona State University electrical engineering department hosted the first session. Faculty members gave the participants a tour of the university’s NanoFab, a nanoscale processing and fabrication facility.

In Fayetteville, teachers toured Ozark Integrated Circuits, where they met with engineers and technologists. In addition, the Making of a Microchip lesson was launched at the sessions, and the teachers viewed the videos.

“The work we have developed together is being used by instructors around the world to become more comfortable teaching students about semiconductors, microelectronics, and more.” —Jamie Moesch, IEEE Educational Activities managing director

“Fifteen Arkansas and Missouri middle school teachers learned about the semiconductor supply chain, and they left with guided lesson plans, engaging videos, and the newest content for their classrooms,” Francis says. “We toured Ozark Integrated Circuits and ended up brainstorming about the future. Listening to them talk about their kids back home—and how they are going to ‘get this’—really tugged at my heart. It reminded me of wanting to know how those ‘magic computers’ worked when I was at their age.”

Participants in New Brunswick, welcomed by Rutgers University, toured its Nanofabrication CORE Facility, which provides students with skills and capabilities to have a career in the semiconductor industry.

“TryEngineering’s Technology for Teachers program offered a unique professional development opportunity for educators,” says Debra Gulick, IEEE Educational Activities director of student and academic education programs. “Combining access to engaging resources and the opportunity to meet with IEEE engineers and tour state-of-the-art facilities made this an inspiring experience and one that teachers were able to bring into their classrooms.”

Funding for more outreach programs

As a result of TryEngineering’s efforts this year, Onsemi’s Giving Now program has renewed its financial support for next year.

IEEE Educational Activities is honored to be a part of the ON Semiconductor Foundation’s generous support of US $2 million to fund global outreach programs, Moesch says.

Teachers receive the materials they need to bring the activities back to their classrooms, and to inspire the next generation of engineers and technologists.

TryEngineering staff and volunteers are collaborating with Field Day researchers at the University of Wisconsin—Madison to develop a game that simulates challenges faced in the semiconductor industry. Players can learn about the technology and the supply chain while playing the game.

“We have such an incredible opportunity right now to reach traditionally underserved populations with information about the career paths available in the semiconductor industry,” says Jennifer Fong, IEEE Educational Activities director of continuing education and business development. “This creates more economic opportunity for more people.

“As IEEE takes a comprehensive approach to semiconductor workforce development, starting with preuniversity programs and continuing with microcredentials for those without four-year degrees [as well as] skills and competency frameworks for technical jobs, training courses, and more, we will have the greatest impact through partnership. I applaud Onsemi’s focus on making sure we engage kids early so we have the workforce needed for the future.”

The content can be found in the TryEngineering website’s semiconductors section.