IEEE Receives Grant to Develop Semiconductor Lesson Plans

The ON Semiconductor Foundation, an onsemi Giving Now program, recently awarded the IEEE Foundation a two-year grant totaling $137,125 for IEEE TryEngineering to develop semiconductor technology content for middle school students and their teachers. The pre-college outreach program is overseen by IEEE Educational Activities. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Onsemi funds STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) education activities for disadvantaged youth in underserved communities where the company operates worldwide. The company is a leading semiconductor manufacturer that supplies tens of thousands of customers in various markets with intelligent power and sensor technologies.

“With our Giving Now program, onsemi is driving positivity by creating meaningful change for our planet and every community in which we live and work, around the world,” said Tyler Lacey, CEO of the ON Semiconductor Foundation. “On behalf of the Foundation, we are proud to support the work of the IEEE Foundation and IEEE TryEngineering as we work together to make the world a better place.”

Thanks to the ON Semiconductor Foundation grant, students will learn how semiconductors are made through hands-on activities.IEEE TryEngineering

Expanding the semiconductor workforce pipeline

The US CHIPS and Science Act 2022 has highlighted a gap in the workforce pipeline. According to the Semiconductor Industry Association, the semiconductor industry is expected to have a workforce shortage of nearly 67,000 by 2030. That’s why onsemi and IEEE recognize the importance of introducing students to the industry.

The Giving Now grant will fund the creation of video-based professional development courses to help educators teach middle school students about semiconductors and the industry, officials say. The project also includes on-site professional development for Phoenix-area teachers and lesson plan materials, including video-based classroom activities.

IEEE Educational Activities staff and the organization’s semiconductor experts develop content for use in classrooms and to support teachers.

“A skilled and diverse workforce is critical to supporting plans to build capacity in the semiconductor industry worldwide.” –Jamie Moesch, Executive Director, IEEE Educational Activities.

“IEEE has experts in all areas of semiconductor manufacturing, and we also have many outstanding faculty in these areas,” says Tom Coughlin, 2024 IEEE President. “We are proud to be a resource and help build the next generation of semiconductor process technicians and engineers.”

“A skilled and diverse workforce pool is critical to supporting plans to build capacity in the semiconductor industry worldwide,” said Jamie Moesch, executive director of IEEE Educational Activities. “IEEE Educational Activities is pleased to partner with onsemi to provide educational resources to pre-college students so they can learn more about the opportunities in this growing industry.”

IEEE TryEngineering educational resources

Since 2006, IEEE TryEngineering has empowered educators to develop the next generation of technology innovators. The program focuses on contributing to the global STEM (science, technology, technology, engineering) workforce by providing resources to overcome barriers in education systems.

This includes free, web-based access to culturally relevant, developmentally appropriate, and educationally sound teaching resources for teachers and community volunteers. IEEE TryEngineering also provides unbiased information about STEM careers as well as access to mentors and learning communities.

“Partnering with onsemi will enable IEEE to develop engaging content that students and their teachers are looking for,” said Debra Gulick, director of IEEE Student and Academic Education Programs. “IEEE TryEngineering is uniquely positioned for this project because the organization has a large network of volunteers who will help us provide the most up-to-date semiconductor information and resources needed to inspire the next generation of engineers.”

The funds are managed by the IEEE Foundation in collaboration with IEEE TryEngineering.