Semiconductor Industry Introduction
(Teachers)

Semiconductor Industry Introduction: This is a Module focused on an introduction to the  Semiconductor Industry. 
It will cover the careers in the Semiconductor Industry.  It will introduce a high level view of how we use chip in our everyday life, how it makes our lives better, but also the risk of technology.  You will learn how chips are made. 

Modules deliverables will include: 6+ Lessons Introducing the Semiconductor Industry. About 6-12 hours of 30 min Lectures & 10+ hours of Lab & Assessment activities. 

Prerequisites:

Topics:

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  • Unit - Chips & Salsa
  • Module: Semiconductor Industry Introduction
  • This is a LEARNING Activity : Lesson / Lab

Sponsor Shout Out - Ignited - Semiconductor Resources for Educators

We would like to thank ignited for their support of this project  and curriculum development.

With new national education and workforce investments arriving this year, semiconductor industry leaders from across the U.S. are developing classroom materials and experiential learning opportunities for students. The Bay Area has a phase 1 project, funded by the California Apprenticeship Initiative and led by Foothill College, SEMI Foundation, Ignited, and the Krause Center for Innovation (KCI) to design K-12 classroom materials and an apprenticeship pathway into the industry.

The resources below present opportunities for K-12 teachers to seamlessly integrate these topics into their classrooms, preparing students for future possible careers in this exciting growing industry.

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If you would like to sponsor Curriculum Development, please contact TopClown@STEAMClown.org  or check out our "How To Help Page"

Learning Objective:

Module Scope:
  • Introduction to Silicon & Semiconductor Industry
  • Light introduction to Chip & Silicon Manufacturing Processes
Learning Targets:
  • Have a high level understanding on Semiconductor & Silicon Chip design process
Prior Knowledge:
  • No explicit prerequisite course work, Electronics, Logic, or coding knowledge is required. Come as you are. 🧠
Resources & Materials Needed:
  • PC, Laptop or Other device to access the Apps and sites.
  • Each lesson will have specific items needed to complete the labs and tasks

Caution & Safety  Considerations:

Primer:  "Aaron, I can imagine no way in which this thing could be considered anywhere remotely close to safe. All I know is I spent six hours in there and I'm still alive... You still want to do it?"

Essential Questions:

Key Academic Vocabulary or Concepts:

Modules & Lessons

Learning About Semiconductor Technology - Lesson #1 - Semiconductor Introduction

Lesson #1 - Semiconductor Introduction


Coming Soon...

Introduction to Semiconductor Processing - 195 minutes
Students will learn the lifecycle of a semiconductor, from a silicon ingot to a microchip that can be installed in a complex electronic device.

What are Semiconductors? - 90 minutes
Students will create copper sulfate crystals, then develop a model at the molecular level to apply their observations to other substances. In doing so, students will learn about how semiconductors are produced, and be exposed to other industrial and commercial uses for these materials.

Introduction to Cleanrooms - 210 minutes
Students will participate in a cleanroom simulation in order to learn about microchip contaminants that can impact the semiconductor manufacturing process, and the personal protective equipment (PPE - or “bunny suits”) that prevent contamination.

Semiconductor Front-end Manufacturing - 200 minutes
Students will learn about the manufacturing methods used to transform raw Silicon into positively- and negatively-charged components, along with the function of diodes and transistors in a computing system.

Photolithography - 200 minutes
Students will learn how computer chips get transformed from a brick of processed material into the items we associate with electronic devices, by addressing Photolithography, or the method of stenciling complex designs into silicon wafer.

Running and Interpreting Tests & Troubleshooting - 200 minutes
By engaging in a real engineering design challenge, students will be able to experience a high-stakes competition to solve their challenge through troubleshooting.

Components of a Cell Phone - 175 minutes
Students will learn about elements on the periodic table, including ones instrumental to semiconductors, and how they are used to make electronic devices work.

Robots vs Cancer - 90 minutes
Students will conduct research on current nanotechnologies utilized in cancer treatment and then will create a simulated nanotechnology to bind--and cure--cancer cells.

Think Fast - Comparing Human Reactions - 90 minutes
Students will compare the information processing capabilities of a human brain and a computer in order to explore why computers seem to have faster reaction times.

Automating our Lives - 90 minutes
Students will use systems design to propose ideas for using semiconductor automation systems to improve their communities.