MEDIA ADVISORY
SRP hosts high-tech workshop for high school students
SEMI High Tech U introduces Tolleson HS students to high-tech fields/solar industry
(Tolleson, Ariz.) Dozens of Tolleson High School students will meet at Glendale Community College to explore the high-tech industry through hands-on experiments and interactions with engineers in the high-tech industry. For the past eight years, the non-profit SEMI Foundation, based in San Jose, has teamed with the semiconductor industry and the local education community to introduce high school kids to math and science-based curricula that can lead to high-tech careers.
During the three-day SEMI High Tech U, sponsored by Salt River Project (SRP) and the Maricopa Community Colleges, the students will be introduced to careers in the microelectronics, solar, biofuels and other high-tech industries. The students will also tour Maricopa Solar, the world's first commercial-scale SunCatcherTM plant.
Students will:
- conduct hands-on experiments,
- tour a solar plant and
- learn from industry experts.
Despite the economic downturn, Silicon Valley high-tech industries are taking the long-term view and working with the SEMI Foundation to make sure that when the economy turns around, there will be a supply of young women and men who are prepared to enter the high-tech workforce. The program recruits a diverse student population, focusing on minorities, girls and students who show promise, but are not necessarily A and B students.
The hands-on program, administered by the SEMI Foundation, runs March 8 to 10 at Glendale Community College and will have a renewable energy focus as a way of introducing students to one of the country's growing technology sectors. The sessions will also include educational opportunities and career planning.
Volunteers from Glendale Community College, SRP and high-tech companies will serve as instructors.
High Tech U was created by San Jose, Calif.-based SEMI as a way of getting more students interested in science, math and high-tech careers. Since High Tech U began in 2001, 97 programs have been delivered to 2,600 students and more than 571 teachers in the United States, France, Austria, Japan and Singapore. An additional 41,000 students have been reached through the 476 teachers who have participated in High Tech U Teacher Edition programs.
There will be opportunities to talk to high-tech industry experts on the state of the industry in the current economy as well as students and educators on their views of the future.
BEST VISUAL OPPORTUNITIES
(All activities except the solar tour will be held at Glendale Community College at 6000 W. Olive Ave. in Glendale.)
Monday, March 8 -
10:15 - 11:30 a.m. - Hacky Sack Statapult: The air is filled with hacky sacks as students learn how the medieval technology of catapults relates to modern day, chip making in a math and statistics exercise.
Tuesday, March 9 -
10- 11:15 a.m. - Human Calculator: Using a "feet on" exercise, similar to the game "Twister," students try not to get tangled up as they simulate electron microprocessor flow.
1:45 - 3 p.m. - Solar Tour: Tour of Maricopa Solar plant, 8475 N. 75th Ave., Peoria, AZ 85345.
Wednesday, March 10 -
9 - 11:15 a.m. - Don't be Fuelish: Biodiesel, a renewable and domestically produced diesel fuel, has many characteristics of an alternative energy resource. Using common chemicals within Glendale Community College's state-of-the-art biotechnology lab, students will make biodiesel and use it to fuel a motorized device.
About Salt River Project
Salt River Project is the third-largest public power utility in the nation, serving more than 935,000 electric customers in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. For more information, visit www.srpnet.com.
About MATEC
MATEC, a member of the Academic and Student Affairs Division at the Maricopa County Community College District, is one of 34 national Advanced Technological Education centers funded by the National Science Foundation. For more information, visit www.matec.org.
About SEMI
SEMI is the global industry association serving the manufacturing supply chains for the microelectronic, display and photovoltaic industries. Since 1970, SEMI has been committed to helping members grow more profitably, create new markets, and meet common industry challenges. For more information, visit www.semi.org.
About Glendale Community College
GCC is one of the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges and offers associate degrees and certificate programs that in 2009 brought nearly 30,000 students to GCC's main campus on 6000 W. Olive Ave., Glendale, and the GCC North campus, 5727 W. Happy Valley Rd., Phoenix. Classes also are offered at the Communiversity @ Surprise, 15950 W. Civic Center Plaza, Surprise.
