Boise State University and Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA) have worked together to create the first of three semiconductor focused courses for secondary students – Chip, Chip, Hooray! The course is geared towards 8th-10th grade students who are interested in learning about semiconductors. It focuses on basic circuitry design, semiconductor use across various industries, and career pathways for students to enter the semiconductor industry.
This school year marks the launch of Chip, Chip, Hooray!. Our team anticipated enrolling 30 students at the start of this project, and have far exceeded that number with close to 130 students enrolled across Idaho for the Fall 2024 semester. Students represent all regions of the state, from New Meadows to Wendell and Montpelier to Parma. According to MER Institute’s Education Specialist, Hailey Lynch, “this demonstrates the interest and excitement surrounding the course, and the future it presents to students across the nation, as the curriculum is nationally aligned to NGSS and ISTE education standards.”
All materials are available on the Open Education Content Catalog through IDLA, making it accessible to educators and students across the nation. We are excited to bring this resource to educators and their students to strengthen semiconductor education in secondary schooling.