2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Program Description:
The Introduction to Microelectronics curriculum is for a 2-week summer program for high-school participants as part of the [Program name]. The curriculum aims to create a holistic impression of the rising semiconductor and microelectronics ecosystem, building basic capacities and skills to develop a more competent future workforce in the US. The content was organized into 5 units integrating electronics, design, and social awareness. We adopt a STEAM education approach to emphasize the life cycle of microelectronics. In the last two days of the camp, the participants integrated their learnings through a design project using microcontrollers to address social needs.

Activity Description:
A handout will be provided during the exchange providing links to downloadable printables of selected units. Selected units below:

Engineering Unit (7th-12th grades): The micro:bit Shuffle – Intro to Microcontrollers

Nurses with broken thermometers, a fit and healthy community, and undercover agents communicating with each other! What do they have in common… Microcontrollers! Based on the UN’s sustainability development goals (SDGs), this 6-module unit introduces BBC micro: bits as a hands-on starting point to operate microcontrollers. Each 20-minute module introduces participants to different sensors found on the micro: bits microcontroller through problems that can be worked out in pairs or small groups (4 max). For each module, participants are introduced to a sensor and its associated code, have the opportunity to explore the use of the sensor in a real-time application, can modify or add enhancements to the code, and reflect on its usage in their everyday lives!

The following modules include:
Thermo:Bit – micro:bit as an Electric Thermometer
Magno:Bit – micro:bit as a Metal Detector
Glow:Bit – micro:bit for LED and Light Sensing
Fitness:Bit Jr. – micro:bit as an accelerometer (Foot step counter / Fitness Tracker)
Music:Bit Maestro – micro:bit for Sound and Music Creation
Morse:Bit – micro:bit for mimicking Morse Code Communication using Bluetooth

Arts and Social Awareness Unit (7th-12th grades): Tech Tales: Murals to depict the cradle-2-grave journey of electronics

This unit focuses on raising awareness about the product life cycle of electronic devices. Participants will watch a short documentary on the lifecycle of electronic devices that highlights the ecological responsibilities of users, and the social and environmental implications associated with electronic devices.
Following the viewing, participants will form teams of four to engage in a collaborative mural project. Each team will receive large Post-it notes, along with various art materials, to visually depict their understanding of the documentary’s content. As they create their murals, participants will develop characters and stories that connect to their themes.
This hands-on unit encourages creative expression and emotional engagement, enabling participants to express their thoughts, feelings, and emotions on the implications of the semiconductor industry. The final presentations allow teams to share their murals and stories with the group, promoting a rich dialogue about the broader social and environmental impacts of engineering. Through this process, participants will not only enhance their understanding of electronic devices but also appreciate the diverse perspectives that contribute to engineering and STEM fields.

Engineering Design Unit (7th-12th grades): Mapping the Machine – Understanding Socio-Technical Systems

This 120-minute unit introduces participants to the concept of socio-technical systems, bridging their understanding of both technical and social components in the design and development of everyday electronics. After a brief 10-minute presentation explaining the elements of socio-technical systems—organizational, physical, cognitive, and practical—participants form teams to select an electronic device of their choice, such as a car, toaster, or electric toothbrush.
Each team conducts research on the socio-technical components involved in their product, considering factors from planning and procurement to manufacturing, consumption, and recycling. Using post-it notes, art materials, and online resources, they map out how these four components interact at different stages of the product lifecycle. This process helps participants develop an awareness of the engineering challenges and constraints that arise in the design of modern technologies.
This unit encourages open-ended research and collaborative problem-solving, offering participants a hands-on opportunity to explore the broader ecosystem of engineering design.