Local Tech Industry, Education Community Introduce Area High School Students To STEM-Related High Tech Careers At SEMI High Tech U, February 19-21

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- For three days, 42 high school students from Austin, Round Rock, Manor New Tech and other area school districts will engage in a high energy, highly interactive experience, learning the fundamentals of electronics, solar technology, semiconductor manufacturing, microchip logic, and automated process fundamentals.

They'll be attending SEMI High Tech U, a highly acclaimed three-day tech career exploration program for high school students presented by the SEMI Foundation, and hosted by Spansion, Samsung, and Texas State University. The Applied Materials Foundation is also supporting the event. Additional funding was provided by the Fab Owners Association.

"We recruit students from local high schools who have the potential to do well in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math)-related careers and give them an 'experience' that helps move them towards planning for their future," said SEMI Foundation vice president Lisa Anderson. "Students who have gone through our program report they feel more motivated to take STEM subjects in school, understand the value of teamwork and understand the educational pathway needed to move forward.  This is all good news in the technology world where finding young people to fill technology jobs is becoming increasingly difficult."

"SEMI High Tech U is truly an exceptional program because of the level at which students are being engaged," said Samsung senior manager of human resources, Charmaine Winters. "The impact of the hands-on and interactive experiences for the students is both valuable and long-lasting. We are pleased to be partnering once again with SEMI Foundation in their mission to support education and career awareness in the fields of high technology."

"Spansion has a long standing commitment to education, and STEM programs in particular, to provide vital knowledge, confidence and guidance to students interested in exploring avenues to a bright future in science, technology, engineering and math," said Randy Blair, senior vice president, wafer fab operations at Spansion.  "Hosting the first day of SEMI High Tech U reinforces our commitment as a partner in strengthening the foundation of STEM programs."

"For Central Texas students, this opportunity to explore STEM careers is increasingly important," said Michele Walker-Moak, program manager with the Applied Materials Foundation.  "Today's students struggle to make concrete connections between classroom instruction and real-world experiences. High Tech U crystallizes those connections, allowing students to actively engage, experiment and explore these essential careers."

Participating Schools
Students attending the program are from area secondary schools, including Bastrop, Bowie, Cedar Creek, Cedar Ridge, Del Valle, Eastview, Lanier Health Sciences Institute of Austin, Manor Tech, McNeil, Round Rock, Stony Point, and Westwood.

Since its inception in 2001 SEMI High Tech U has been presented to 4066 high school students and 774 high school teachers in the US, Austria, France, Japan, Korea, Singapore, The Netherlands, and The United Arab Emirates. 

BEST VISUAL/INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:

TUE, Feb 19 — All Tuesday events at Spansion:  5204 East Ben White Blvd., Austin, Building 4, Auditorium

10:30-11:15 am — Microchips and Solar Chips: Students simulate the laying process that takes place in the manufacture of chips.

11:15 am-12:15 pm — Hacky Sack Catapult: The air is filled with hacky sacks as kids learn how medieval technology relates to modern day chip making in a math and statistics exercise called "Statapult".

1:15-2:15 pm — Chemistry - Matter Matters: Using batteries, light bulbs and salt water, students learn about conductivity and electricity.  The module is linked to a team game that tests students' knowledge of the periodic table in a "Jeopardy" type atmosphere.

2:30-4:10 pm — Electronics - Making Things Work:  Students work in teams with diodes, transistors and capacitors on a specially designed circuit board to learn how we store and transmit energy.

WED, Feb 20 —Wednesday events at Texas State University, 1104 A Thorpe Lane, San Marcos

10:15 am –12:15 pm  — Students divide into groups for two activities:

Human Calculator: Using a "feet on" exercise, like the game "Twister", students try not to get tangled up as they simulate electron microprocessor flow.

TSU Campus Tour: Includes viewing space simulator chamber and wind tunnel

12:15 -12:45 pm: Two student groups engage in Human Calculator contest.

THURS, Feb 21 — All Thursday events at Samsung Austin Semiconductor, 12100 Samsung Blvd., Austin,

11:25 am-12:25 pm — Mock Job Interviews: Students practice job interview techniques with industry professionals

4-4:30 pm — Graduation and Awarding of Scholarships: Family and friends gather as students receive graduation certificates, and one student is awarded a $1000 scholarship.

About the SEMI Foundation
The SEMI Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit charitable organization founded in 2001 to support education and career awareness in the fields of high technology through scholarships and the career exploration programs SEMI High Tech U for high school students, and SEMI High Tech U Teacher Edition. Since 2001, 126 programs have been delivered to over 3500 students and 650 teachers in the US, Austria, France, Japan, The Netherlands and Singapore.  For information visit www.semi.org/foundation.

About Samsung Austin Semiconductor, LLC
Samsung Austin Semiconductor (SAS) is one of the most advanced semiconductor manufacturing facilities in the United States. Owned by Samsung Electronics Corporation Ltd., SAS manufactures logic components for digital devices, tablets, smart phones, and other mobile platforms. Since 1997, SAS has been at the forefront of manufacturing technology, enabling the world's digital devices to operate at the highest performance.

About Spansion
Spansion's (NYSE: CODE) technology is at the heart of electronics systems, powering everything from the internet of today to the smart grid of tomorrow, positively impacting people's daily lives at work and play. Spansion's broad Flash memory product portfolio, smart innovation and industry leading service and support are enabling customers to achieve greater efficiency and success in their target markets. For more information, visit http://www.spansion.com.

About the Applied Materials Foundation
The Applied Materials Foundation, a California nonprofit corporation qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, was established in 1994 by Applied Materials, Inc., the global leader in providing innovative equipment, services and software to enable the manufacture of advanced semiconductor, flat panel display and solar photovoltaic products.  The Foundation's mission is to make a positive social contribution in regions where Applied Materials employees work and live through philanthropic investments in the areas of education, civic development, arts and culture, and the environment.

SOURCE Samsung