The Florida Semiconductor Institute (FSI) invites teachers and students across the state to participate in the 2026 Chip in Florida: K–12 Semiconductor Education Challenge – a statewide STEM initiative designed to integrate semiconductor learning into classrooms while building early awareness of high-demand career pathways.
Educators will implement engaging, grade-appropriate semiconductor lessons and then guide students through a required culminating challenge submission aligned to their grade level. All grade levels will answer the essential question: How can semiconductors power a smarter future—and what careers make that future possible?
2026 Chip in Florida Winners
The Florida Semiconductor Institute (FSI) is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 Chip in Florida: K–12 Semiconductor Education Challenge. This statewide initiative engages educators and students in hands-on, design-based learning experiences that introduce semiconductor concepts and career pathways.
This year’s winning programs stood out for their creativity, innovation, and meaningful student engagement-helping build early awareness of the technologies shaping Florida’s future workforce.
PRIMARY AWARDS
FSI Trailblazer Award – Elementary School
William Elementary School – Gainesville
William Elementary School engaged students in creative, hands-on learning experiences that introduced foundational semiconductor concepts while sparking curiosity and early interest in technology and innovation.
FSI Trailblazer Award – Middle School
Oak View Middle School – Newberry
Oak View Middle School demonstrated strong application of semiconductor concepts through interactive, project-based learning that connected classroom instruction to real-world technology and career pathways.
FSI Trailblazer Award – High School
Murl Windsor Academy – Fort Lauderdale
Murl Windsor Academy showcased advanced student understanding through innovative projects that connected semiconductor concepts to real-world applications and future technology careers.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARDS
FSI Rising Trailblazer Award
North Elementary School – Okeechobee
North Elementary School demonstrated exceptional promise through creative and engaging learning experiences that introduced students to semiconductor concepts in meaningful and impactful ways.
FSI Innovation in Action Award
Peace Love Homeschool – Gainesville
Peace Love Homeschool exemplified innovation and initiative by bringing semiconductor learning to life through a unique, student-centered approach within an alternative learning environment.
FSI Engineering Impact Award
River City Science Academy, Southeast K-8 – Jacksonville
Recognizing a program that demonstrated exceptional engineering design and real-world problem solving by developing a functional, low-cost system to monitor and protect sensitive environments using microcontroller technology.
FSI Director’s Innovation Award
Palmer Trinity School – Miami-Dade
Recognizing an exceptional submission that demonstrated advanced innovation, creativity, and real-world application of semiconductor technologies across multiple solution-driven concepts.
Key Dates:
- Challenge Launch: January 12, 2026
- Classroom Implementation Window: January – April 24th, 2026
- UF Nanoscale Research Facility Virtual Tour: February 26, 2026, 9 am – 3 pm
Register here - Showcase Period: March 9 – April 24th, 2026
- Submit Entries By: April 24th, 2026
Entries may be submitted by tagging @uf_fsi on Instagram or emailing submissions to fsi-info@ufl.edu - Winning Classrooms Announced: April 30, 2026
How to Participate:
1. Register Your Classroom
Teachers register to participate in the 2026 Chip in Florida Challenge.
2. Access Lesson Plans
After registering, teachers will receive an email with a link to access a curated collection of FSI-approved semiconductor lesson plans organized by grade band.
3. Teach a Semiconductor Lesson
Teachers review the lesson list, select one or more lessons appropriate for their students, and implement the lesson(s) in their classroom.
4. Complete the Student Challenge Submission
After lesson implementation, students complete the required challenge submission for their grade level (outlined below), answering the essential question: How can semiconductors power a smarter future—and what careers make that future possible?
5. Submit & Share
During Showcase Week; teachers share student work on Instagram using designated hashtags and tagging partner accounts.
6. Win Recognition & Prizes!
Outstanding classrooms and educators will be recognized and awarded.
Industry Support & Recognition
The Chip in Florida Challenge is made possible through the generous support of our industry partners, including:
Grand Prize:
The FSI Trailblazer Award
Awarded to the educator demonstrating exceptional leadership and innovation in semiconductor education.
Semiconductor-themed classroom kits awarded to:
- One Elementary Classroom
- One Middle School Classroom
- One High School / CTE Classroom
Student Challenge Requirements (After Lesson Implementation)
For 2026, FSI is introducing a more structured, grade-level student challenge to strengthen learning outcomes, creativity, and career awareness across all grade bands.
After implementing a semiconductor lesson, students complete a creative, grade-level challenge submission that answers the guiding question and highlights both technology and careers. All grade levels may submit their work as a video in addition to other formats.
| Elementary School – Imagine It & Explain It | – Create a drawing, poster, simple model, or short video of a smart invention that helps people at home, school, or in the community – Explain what the invention does and why it matters – Share who might build it (engineer, technician, designer, etc.) and what that person’s job is Formats may include posters, photos, or short videos (30–60 seconds). |
| Middle School – Design It & Connect the Career | – Design a smart product, system, or solution powered by semiconductors – Explain how technology inside the device makes it “smart” (sensing, processing, decision-making) – Identify a related career and create a simple pathway map (skills to learn, classes to take, or training needed) – Present their idea through a poster, slideshow, or short video |
| High School / CTE – Pitch the Future | – Design and pitch a semiconductor-powered solution to a real-world or global challenge – Explain how chips, sensors, and data work together in their solution – Map a realistic career pathway including education, certifications, and potential job roles – Submit a pitch deck, video, CAD design, simulation, or prototype |
Additional Submission & Judging Notes
- One submission per classroom is required.
- Judging will consider creativity, understanding of semiconductor concepts, career awareness, and clarity of communication.
- Teachers are responsible for ensuring appropriate media permissions are on file for any student work shared publicly.
See Examples from the 2025 Challenge
Note: The 2025 challenge used a different guiding question and did not include the same grade-level student challenge requirements outlined above. These examples are provided to inspire creativity, project format ideas, and classroom engagement-not as submission templates for the 2026 challenge.
Want to see how classrooms approached last year’s challenge? Explore the 2025 winning entries:
Website & Social Media Features
Winning classrooms and standout educators will be highlighted on FSI’s website and social platforms.
Announcement of Winners
Winning classrooms will be announced by April 30, 2026, via Instagram and featured on the FSI website.
Register Here
Florida is one of the fastest-growing states for semiconductor employment, supporting thousands of jobs across advanced manufacturing, research, and innovation. The semiconductor industry powers AI, space exploration, healthcare, quantum computing, and nearly all modern technology student interacts with daily.
Workforce demand continues to rise-creating strong, high-paying career pathways for students in:
- Engineering
- Advanced Manufacturing & Technician Roles
- Scientific Research
- Business, Supply Chain, and Marketing
Critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, digital literacy, and real-world STEM applications.
Teachers are responsible for ensuring media release permissions are on file per district or school policy.
FAQs
Florida is one of the fastest-growing states for semiconductor employment, supporting thousands of jobs across advanced manufacturing, research, and innovation. The semiconductor industry powers AI, space exploration, healthcare, quantum computing, and nearly all modern technology student interacts with daily.
Workforce demand continues to rise-creating strong, high-paying career pathways for students in:
- Engineering
- Advanced Manufacturing & Technician Roles
- Scientific Research
- Business, Supply Chain, and Marketing
Critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, digital literacy, and real-world STEM applications.
Teachers are responsible for ensuring media release permissions are on file per district or school policy.
For any questions regarding the Chip In Florida Challenge, please contact: Dr. Roseanne Perez, workforce development program specialist at roseanne.perez@ufl.edu