What if high school students could get a head start on college-level engineering without leaving their classrooms? Thanks to another collaboration between Boise State University and the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA), they can.
The newly launched Electrical and Computer Engineering 180 (Introduction to Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering) course is now available to high school students across Idaho, offering them a chance to explore the fundamentals of engineering in a hands-on, accessible way. Following the incredibly successful release of Chip, Chip, Hooray! this fall, Boise State University is continuing its commitment to expanding STEM education across Idaho.
Boise State’s Institute for Microelectronics Education and Research (IMER) teamed up with faculty and IDLA to bring this course to life. As the second installment in a three-part series (following Chip, Chip, Hooray! and paving the way for an upcoming third course), this class serves as a launchpad into the fast-paced worlds of electrical engineering, computer systems engineering, and computer science. Students will dive into the core principles, cutting-edge technologies, and real-world applications that power innovation in engineering fields. The course also offers a head start on college by awarding 1 university credit upon completion.
“This course is special because it is being offered as a concurrent enrollment course through Boise State. Students will earn both high school and college credit for this course,” said Camille Platts-McPharlin, Senior Academics Program Coordinator and manager of the Semiconductor for All grant. “It will give students a strong foundation and clear understanding of what it means to be an electrical or computer engineer while earning college credit.”
The most exciting part about this release is that, once again, enrollment is above and beyond what was initially predicted. The creation team estimated 15 students for the first semester, but the class has exceeded expectations with 38 students enrolling. Moreover, these students are all across Idaho, from places like Driggs, New Meadows, and of course within the Treasure Valley. This class, along with the other two in the series, will also continue to introduce students to the semiconductor industry, hopefully opening their eyes to potential educational and career pathways they may not have otherwise considered.
“By taking this class through IDLA, students will be able to make more informed decisions about their future career paths and build foundational skills before starting college,” said Dr. Kurtis Cantley, Boise State ECE professor and faculty liaison for the project.
He expressed his excitement at being part of a project that, for the first time, will support students all over Idaho in an industry that is growing rapidly across the globe. High school students will now have the opportunity to learn about engineering before entering the university atmosphere, either solidifying the goals of those who wanted to pursue engineering, or introducing others to the option.
“Whether students ‘see’ themselves as engineers or not – this course is truly meant for all Idaho students,” Platts-McPharlin explained. “It is a gateway to electrical and computer engineering programs and may open doors students didn’t know were available to them.”