Building the Future Workforce: Sparking K-12 Excitement with Microelectronics Education

The rapid growth of the semiconductor industry requires a robust and scalable workforce development pipeline. Arizona State University (ASU) and Arizona State University Preparatory Academy (ASU Prep), in partnership with key industry stakeholders, are piloting and expanding a multifaceted K–12 microelectronics education model. This model serves as a catalyst for regional and national replication, targeting students, teachers, parents, and educational professionals to build awareness, skills, and pathways to microelectronics careers. In partnership with government-funded initiatives, such as Southwest Advanced Prototyping (SWAP) Hub and Substrate-based Heterogeneous Integration Enabling Leadership Demonstration for the USA (SHIELD USA), this model aims to provide outreach to 25,000 K-12 students and 500 teachers in the next 5 years.

ASU and ASU Prep will present as a panel on their collaboration, focusing on three core pillars: Exploration Events, Experiential Learning, and High School Academic Pathway Development.

Exploration Events include initiatives like Microspark, where ASU faculty and academic and industry partners—such as the SEMI Foundation—share insights into the microelectronics industry with middle and high school educators. Semiconductor Adventure Day connects students, teachers, and industry professionals through hands-on, interactive learning experiences. Summer programs, such as MicroMaker Camp, immerse K–12 students in semiconductor-focused learning. These events have already engaged thousands of participants and generated growing interest in the semiconductor field. Ongoing improvements are guided by stakeholder feedback, with plans to expand Microspark to 50–70 teachers by Fall 2025 and establish Semiconductor Adventure Day as a scalable, national model.

Experiential Learning opportunities include a pop-up exhibit at the Arizona Science Center, ASU campus tours of the MacroTechnology Works (MTW), Nanofabrication, and Polytechnic facilities, and mobile “Science on Wheels” units that bring STEM education to underserved communities. Students engage with a combination of physical and digital gamified tools, such as SWAP Hub’s Mars 3D semiconductor fabrication game, which simulates a cleanroom environment. They also explore the SHIELD USA thermal packaging video game and interact with hands-on learning aids like a 3D integrated circuit (IC) puzzle, which supports tactile and visual understanding of complex semiconductor concepts.

High School Academic Pathway Development is achieved between ASU/ASU Prep and industry partners through ASU’s Universal Learner Course (ULC) program, ASU Prep is piloting courses that introduce semiconductor and robotics concepts, with an anticipated launch in Spring 2026. Curriculum collaborations with industry partners, such as Spark Photonics, will bring a project-based learning and entrepreneurship-infused curriculum to ASU Prep students in Fall 2025. These offerings, along with the development of a broader microschool model in partnership with ASU’s Educational Outreach and Student Services (EOSS), will allow high school students to dive into their career potential.

This holistic model addresses the workforce gap by raising awareness and building skills and educational pathways early. With continued support from industry, educational institutions, and federal initiatives like SHIELD USA and SWAP Hub, this scalable approach could serve as a national model for microelectronics education and engagement.