Finals have now ended, students are returning home, and campus starts to quiet down – but not for long. At the Institute for Microelectronics Education and Research, the real excitement is just beginning! Summer marks one of our busiest and most dynamic seasons, filled with hands-on camps, educator trainings, and statewide outreach that bring microelectronics education to life for learners of all ages.
Summer means there is time for both students and educators to dive into exciting camps and professional development opportunities. Our Semiconductor for All team, led by Senior Programs and Projects Coordinator Camille Platts-McPharlin, Educational Specialist Hailey Lynch, and supported by a dedicated group of Boise State Chip Ambassadors, is gearing up for a packed season of events stretching all the way through August.
“We are fortunate to be able to have the ability to bring these programs statewide and reach as many Idahoans as we can,” said Camille Platts-McPharlin on the packed summer schedule. “I think it demonstrates how in-demand these programs are across Idaho! K-12 education events show the need to prepare students for future career pathways, and educator professional development events are major signifiers of demand, as educators recognize the need to gain pedagogy and teaching skills in these topic areas.”
The summer calendar includes student camps, partnerships with Boise State and local organizations, and workshops designed to support educator growth. Here’s a preview of what’s in store:
- May 14: Aerospace Day exhibit
- May 28-30, June 3-5: Micron Chip Camp
- June 10-13: iSTEM professional development workshop
- Starting June 11: TRIO Upward Bound collaboration lessons
- June 14: STEM Gems lessons
- June 17: Real World Immersion for Student Excellence (R.I.S.E.) photolithography lesson
- July 9: Stem in the Sagebrush with Foothills Learning Center
- July 10: ISAS workshop on campus
- July 15-18: Chip, Chip, Hooray! for Educators, partnering with Micron
- August: Finalizing certificate and class releases for fall semester
Among the standout events this summer is Micron’s Chip Camp, a three-day experience for incoming 7th and 8th graders that offers hands-on, exciting STEM adventures and a behind-the-scenes visit to Micron’s Boise campus.
IMER will also partner with TRIO Upward Bound to deliver Chip, Chip, Hooray! lessons throughout the summer, expanding access to semiconductor education. At STEM in the Sagebrush, hosted at the Foothills Learning Center, students will explore how semiconductors can be used in the world of natural sciences.
Meanwhile, Chip, Chip, Hooray! for Educators, a fully-funded, four-day professional development workshop in collaboration with Micron, will bring together teachers from Idaho and New York to deepen their knowledge and instructional skills. These events, along with many others, reflect our ongoing commitment to making microelectronics and semiconductor education accessible, engaging, and far-reaching across the state.
“We believe learning doesn’t stop when the school year ends, and summer is no exception! For students, it’s a chance to continue learning and exploring in new ways. For educators, it’s a time to reflect, recharge, and grow,” said Hailey Lynch, reflecting on the power of learning through the summer.
By the end of the summer, our impact will extend well beyond camps and workshops. We will have supported the revision of 36 Boise State courses to integrate semiconductor content, launched an official Semiconductor for All Certificate for university students, and introduced MSE 101 through the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA) for high school students. We’re also excited to debut Chip Class, an eight-week program modeled after Chip Camp, designed to bring in-depth, hands-on microelectronics education to students right here in the Treasure Valley.
The Semiconductor for All initiative, launched in 2023 in response to the national call for a stronger semiconductor workforce, is committed to delivering targeted, high-impact education across Idaho. With over 12,000 students reached statewide so far, the initiative continues to build momentum. This summer’s extensive slate of programs demonstrates our dedication to expanding access, fostering industry and education partnerships, and creating clear, meaningful career pathways in microelectronics for both students and professionals across the state.
“Since the program started at the end of 2023, it’s incredible to see what we have achieved in such little time,” said Platts-McPharlin. “Our outreach team in particular has been dynamic and dedicated in the last year to offering quality semiconductor and microelectronic education opportunities to students all across the state of Idaho.”
As Lynch thoughtfully noted, “these summer moments remind us that learning is lifelong!”
To read more about what the Institute is doing to provide microelectronics and semiconductor education, visit our Education Resources page.