Elementary School (Grades K-5)
Introduction to Semiconductors through Hands-on Exploration
Young learners will discover the role of semiconductors in everyday devices through engaging activities that introduce size and scale, conductivity, and basic electronics concepts.
Featured Lessons:
- Big vs. Little – Understanding size and scale in technology.
- Exploring the Powers of Ten – A closer look at nanoscale science.
- Insulators and Conductors – Learning how materials affect electricity.
- Flashlights and Batteries – Simple circuits in action!
- Semiconductor Innovations – How small chips make a big difference.
Additional Lessons:
- Learning about surface area and volume
- Noodling Around: Powers of Ten
- Right Tool for the Job
- Shrink Me: A measurement activity
- Scale Models: Size, scale and measurement
- Size and Scale – Learning about measurement
- Sometimes we need big numbers to describe small things
- Taking a Closer Look at Objects: Exploring Scientific Tools
- The Bigger the Better – Not always true: Exploring size effect on chemical reactions
- What’s In Your Neighborhood? A size and scale activity
- What’s the smallest thing you know? A size and scale activity
- The Petnapping of Maya – A Forensic Lesson
- Understanding Nanotechnology Size and Scale
- Gone With the Wind – Building a Sailcar
- Electrical Conductors (5 lessons-micro:bit) elementary lessons for kits
- Sustainability & Renewable Energy
- Be a Scanning Probe Microscope
- Try Your Hand at Nano
- Electric Switches
- Binary Basics
- Ignite Your Creativity!
Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Exploring Semiconductor Applications & Engineering Concepts
Middle school students will investigate semiconductor technology, learning about automation, design thinking, and real-world applications in medical, automotive, and consumer tech.
Featured Lessons:
- Introduction to Semiconductor Processing – How semiconductors drive progress.
- Think Fast – Comparing Human Reactions – Understanding automation.
- Automation for the People – Hands-on problem-solving activity.
- Taking a Closer Look at Objects: Exploring Scientific Tools – Exploring nanotechnology tools.
- LEGO Build Some Microchips – Engineering microchips using LEGO.
Additional Lessons:
- Get Connected With Ohm’s Law
- What is a Nanometer?
- Fizzy Nano Challenge
- The Bigger the Better – Not always true: Exploring size effect on chemical reactions
- Make a Light Bulb with Batteries
- LEDs and Resistors
- What’s In Your Neighborhood? A size and scale activity
- The Power of Graphene
- Exploring at the Nanoscale
- Nano Waterproofing
- Size and Scale – Learning about measurement
- Arduino Blink Challenge
- Sketching Circuits
- Solar Structures
- Working with Watermills
- Making Sense of Sensors
- Measuring the Wind
- Solar Power
- Light Sculpture
- Here Comes the Sun
- Biomimcry in Engineering
- Heart of the Matter
- Hand Biometrics Technology
- Scale Models: Size, scale and measurement
- Shrink Me: A measurement activity
- What’s In Your Neighborhood? A size and scale activity
- Electric Messages: Then and Now
- Series and Parallel Circuits
- Electric Dough
High School (Grades 9-12)
Deep Dive into Semiconductor Technology & Career Pathways
High school students will engage in advanced projects and career exploration, learning about cleanrooms, photolithography, and semiconductor fabrication while connecting STEM concepts to future careers.
Featured Lessons:
- The Silicon in Silicon Valley – A look at semiconductor innovation.
- Photolithography in Semiconductor Manufacturing – A deep dive into the process.
- What are Semiconductors? – The production of semiconductors and exposure to other industrial and commercial uses.
- Introduction to Cleanrooms – Why precision matters in chip-making.
- Semiconductor Career Research – Mapping a future in this high-demand field.
- Transition to Electric Cars – The role of semiconductors in sustainability.
Additional Lessons:
- Components of a Cell Phone
- Semiconductor Front-end Manufacturing
- Running and Interpreting Tests & Troubleshooting
- Matrices and Semiconductors
- Robots vs Cancer
- Let’s Go Solar!
- Biomimics Aren’t Gimmicks
- Automating our Lives
- Phototherapy/Biomedical Engineering
- Big Ideas in Nanoscale Science and Engineering – Posters
- Coffee Break with Nanoscience: Film Formation and “Coffee Rings”
- Demonstrations for the Materials Science Classroom
- Electro-deposition of Copper on a Filter Template for Growing Nanowires
- Help or Hype: The Ethics of Bio-nanotechnology
- Inhibition of Bacteria by Silver Colloid Impregnated Bandages
- Introducing LEDs, Thermistors and Transistors: Nanotechnology in Electronics
- Nanomotors: Nanoscale Propulsion
- Nanoparticle Pollutants: Can we absorb these?
- Silver nanoparticle synthesis, spectroscopy, and bacterial growth
- The Effects of Gold and Silver Nanoparticles on Brine Shrimp: A Toxicology Study
- Supermarket Science: Investigating Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
- Using Media to Explore Social and Ethical Issues in Nanoscience and Nanotechnologies
- The Water Race: Hydrophobic & Hydrophilic Surfaces
- Synthesis and Characterization of CdSe Quantum Dots
- Teaching Nanotechnology across the Undergraduate STEM Curriculum
- Synthesis and Stability of Silver Nanoparticles
- NNIN NACK Network Webinar on Nanoeducation Resources
- Polyaniline Synthesized Conducting Polymer for Applicable Uses as Nanomaterials
- Quantum Dots: Real-world particles in a box
- Electrodeposition: Copper and Zinc Deposition and Synthesis of Nickel Nanowires
Expand Your Semiconductor Toolkit
Beyond our core lesson plans, these carefully curated resources provide interactive tools, professional development opportunities, and industry insights to help educators integrate semiconductor concepts into their classrooms. From virtual labs and engineering challenges to career exploration tools and teacher training webinars, these materials will enhance student engagement and deepen their understanding of the semiconductor industry.
Explore these resources and bring the future of technology to life in your classroom!
- Global Foundries – These fun, engaging, hands-on activities educate students about semiconductor concepts. The activities can easily be connected to math and science topics in the classroom. Each can be done as a stand-alone activity, or you can try as many as you like! Note that these activities can be done with common household/classroom items, and you won’t need special supplies.
- TryEngineering – IEEE TryEngineering empowers teachers to inspire the next generation of engineering and technical innovators. The site provides teachers, students, and volunteers with pre-university resources designed to engage the next generation of STEM professionals. The following TryEngineering resources incorporate concepts and/or technologies that are closely tied to semiconductors.
- Lesson Planet – Semiconductor Teacher Resources
- Engineering Tomorrow Labs – Engineering Tomorrow’s nationwide program offers a wide-array of Virtual Labs (that simulate real-world projects) developed and delivered by engineers and available at no cost to your school. Kits are mailed to your school and a zoom call is set up for an engineer led virtual presentation.
- IET The Institution of Engineering and Technology – We are the IET and we inspire, inform and influence the global engineering community to engineer a better world. As a diverse home across engineering and technology, we share knowledge that helps make better sense of the world in order to solve the challenges that matter. It’s why we are uniquely placed to champion engineering.
- South African Institute of Electrical Engineers – The South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE) has ±6000 members professionally engaged in various engineering activities, including academic research, manufacturing, electronics, telecommunications, measurement and control, mining, and power infrastructure services. Members make meaningful contributions to the quality of life in communities and the steady advancement of technology. Their efforts are acknowledged in many countries worldwide.
- (SPIE) International Society for Optics and Photonics – SPIE is the international society for optics and photonics. We bring engineers, scientists, students, and business professionals together to advance light-based science and technology. Over the past five years, we have invested more than $25 million in the international optics community through our advocacy and support, including scholarships, educational resources, travel grants, endowed gifts, and public-policy development.
- Chip In Documentary by Roadtrip Nation-This PBS documentary follows three young people who are trying to find their way in the semiconductor industry. The documentary explains semiconductors well, and its portrayal of the authentic struggle with career uncertainty can resonate with many students.
- SEMI Career Exploration Website-The SEMI Foundation has created a career exploration website as a tool educators can use to raise career awareness within the industry for their students. Students can complete interest surveys, identify transferable skills, and even search local companies and jobs.
- SEMI Stories-The SEMI Foundation works with its member companies to highlight a variety of professionals from the semiconductor world. Watch as they talk through a day in their lives, their career path, and what drives them to do the work they do.
- OSCN Train-the-Trainer Semiconductor 101 – This is the Ohio Semiconductor Collaboration Network (OSCN) Semiconductor 101-16 Week course. Please note, these materials can be used in a 16-week or 8 week format. As improvements are made, the content will be updated–so check back frequently!
- Video & Visual Resources – Why Semiconductors?
- National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure – NNCI Curriculum Materials – View All Education Levels
- NNIN NACK Network Webinar on Nanoeducation Resources Curriculum resources from Elementary through Undergraduate
- The Semi Career and Apprenticeship Network – Landing page with additional resources from SEMI and partners
This page will be continuously updated with new lesson plans and resources. Be sure to check back often and ignite curiosity in your classroom!
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