On March 3-5, approximately 30 female high school students will attend SEMI High Tech U, an industry driven math and science-based career exploration program for high school students and teachers. The students will learn about high-tech careers and the science behind the semiconductor chips that power modern day products such as hand-held games and cell phones. This all-girl program confronts the fact that fewer females than males pursue math and science-based careers in the United States, and will explore the idea that young women and men may learn better in a same gender environment.
SEMI High Tech U is a collaboration that includes the non-profit SEMI Foundation; semiconductor industry companies Intel, Avnet, and Air Products; the Maricopa Advanced Technology Education Center (MATEC); Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC); and Phoenix Union High School districts. Students were recruited from Betty Fairfax, Cesar Chavez, and South Mountain high schools. Industry and education community volunteers will serve as instructors, introducing students to the technology used to create chips that power virtually every electronic device made today, and explaining the educational pathways that lead to rewarding careers in the high-tech industry. Under a special arrangement with the SEMI Foundation, MATEC organizes and presents SEMI High Tech U programs in Arizona and New Mexico. MATEC is a member of the Academic and Student Affairs division of the Maricopa Community Colleges.
"The opportunity for these young women to be exposed to STEM careers and engage with industry partners, SEMI High Tech U, and Estrella Mountain Community College faculty, is a key component to showing them the value of higher education and the career opportunities available to them in these areas. We hope at the end of the day, each young woman leaves with the encouragement she needs and the feeling that she can be successful in the world of technology," said Anna Russo, coordinator of instructional services at EMCC, one of the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges.
"At Intel, we are proud to collaborate with organizations such as SEMI, MATEC, and Estrella Mountain Community College to create innovative solutions that will spark an interest in the minds of young women," says Carlos Contreras, Intel's Arizona education manager. "We believe that creating a diverse workplace strengthens U.S. competitiveness, providing opportunities such as High Tech U is just another way to accomplish this."
"The SEMI Foundation is committed to reaching out to student populations that are underrepresented in our industry," says SEMI Foundation Vice President Lisa Anderson. "Focusing on local female students is an ideal way to address this need."
"The simple fact is we need to get more young women and other diverse populations interested in pursuing science-related careers. Our entire industry is facing a shortage of workers that will only widen unless each and every one of us does our part and that means reaching out to underrepresented groups," said Richard Jordan, Air Products' Chandler, AZ Plant Manager and also High Tech U instructor. "At Air Products, we think High Tech U is a great way for the public and private sectors to partner and impart in these students the passion for science that we come to work with every day."
"Engaging students and encouraging students to pursue careers in math, science and technology is fundamental to Avnet's community relations strategy and critical to building a high tech workforce of the future," says Teri Radosevich, Avnet's Vice President of Community Relations and Public Affairs. "Avnet and Intel have done business together for years, so it's a great way to extend the benefits of our partnership into the local community. Plus, this unique venue allows us to focus our attention on young women and help them explore the fascinating opportunities that exist in the high tech industry."
Day One: Tuesday, March 3 - Location: All Tuesday activities are at Intel Chandler Campus, Bldg C6, 5000 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler.
10:15-11:30 am- Hacky Sack Catapult: The air is filled with hacky sacks as kids learn how medieval technology relates to modern day chip making in a math and statistics exercise called "Statapult."
12:30-1:45 pm - Human Calculator: Using a "feet on" exercise, like the game "Twister," students try not to get tangled up as they simulate electron microprocessor flow.
Day Two: Wednesday, March 4 - Location: All Wednesday activities are at Estrella Mountain Community College, MON 284, 3000 N. Dysart Road, Avondale.
12:00 - 1:30 pm - Barbie Bungee. Students will model a bungee jump using a Barbie doll and rubber bands. The distance that the doll will fall is directly proportional to the number of rubber bands. This context is used to examine linear functions.
Day Three: Thursday, March 5 - Location: All Thursday activities are at Estrella Mountain Community College, Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), 3000 N. Dysart Road, Avondale.
2:45-3:45 pm - Job interview skills and mini college fair: Students learn job interview techniques; conduct mock interviews with industry professionals.
4:30-5:00 pm - Graduation. High Tech U grads receive their diplomas. Two students will each receive a $1000 scholarship.
*Activities are subject to change.
For more information contact:
Angela Obolsky, MATEC, 480-731-8322; 480-612-4390 (cell)
Dawn Jones, Intel, 480-552-2002; 602-418-0617 (cell)
Lisa Anderson, SEMI, 408-943-6918 (office); 408-482-5235 (cell)
Carissa Pool, EMCC, 623-935-8054