Spring 2026
Presenting Our Impact
Dr. Tamara Moore presenting in Australia!
Dr. Tamara Moore traveled to Australia to share her work and connect with educators, researchers, and partners across the country. During her visit, she delivered several talks, including a research seminar at the University of Melbourne focused on representational fluency and its role in understanding student thinking in engineering and computational problem-solving.
Her engagements brought together a diverse audience from education faculty and students to researchers in photonic chip design, sparking rich conversations about strengthening pathways in K–12 microelectronics education. We’re grateful to our partners, including COMBS, for hosting and supporting these meaningful exchanges that continue to expand the global impact of this work.
ITEEA STEM Conference: Dr. Greg Strimel and Yubin Lee presented “Chip In! Hands-On Paths for Integrating Microelectronics.”
Dr. Greg Strimel and Yubin Lee presented “Chip In! Hands-On Paths for Integrating Microelectronics” at the 88th International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) Conference in Virginia Beach on March 26.
Their session highlighted the growing importance of microelectronics and semiconductors in response to evolving industry demands and workforce needs. Attendees explored how these concepts can be meaningfully integrated into K–12 classrooms to build student awareness of emerging career pathways.
The presentation drew strong interest from educators, sparking engaging conversations about practical, hands-on approaches to bringing microelectronics into the curriculum.
Advancing AI in K–12: Dr. Morgan Hynes Presents on Scaffolding AI-Robotics Learning
We are proud to recognize Morgan Hynes, Ph.D., for representing Purdue University in the Spring 2026 Engineering Education Research Seminar Series. His presentation, “Scaffolding an AI-Robotics Tool with Middle School Students,” highlighted innovative approaches to making complex technologies accessible and engaging for younger learners, supporting the expansion of AI and microelectronics pathways in K–12 education.
Dr. Greg Strimel and Purdue ETTE Host Professional Development Day at IMI
On February 20, 2026, Greg Strimel and the Purdue Engineering Technology Teacher Education (ETTE) program hosted a free professional development day at the Indiana Manufacturing Institute in West Lafayette. The event brought educators together to explore innovative approaches to engineering and technology education, strengthen industry connections, and expand classroom-ready resources. Featuring contributions from SCALE K-12, the day emphasized the importance of hands-on, workforce-aligned learning experiences that prepare students for careers in manufacturing and microelectronics.
Expanding Our Reach
Dr. Tugba Abanoz Leads International STEM Design Exhibition
We are proud to celebrate Tugba Abanoz, Assistant Professor at Ankara University and former Visiting Scholar at Purdue University, as she leads an Engineering Design-Based STEM Education Exhibition and Presentation Day. Building on her collaboration with SCALE K-12, Dr. Abanoz continues to advance design-centered, real-world learning experiences for students. This international effort highlights the impact of global partnerships in expanding innovative engineering education practices.
Showcasing Student Talent and Workforce Connections at SCALE-Con
SCALE-Con 2026 brought together employers, universities, and national leaders focused on strengthening the U.S. microelectronics workforce, with SCALE K-12 proudly contributing to the conversation. The event featured remarks from Mung Chiang, highlighting the national importance of building a future-ready talent pipeline through education, research, and industry collaboration. Throughout the conference, SCALE students demonstrated technical skills and career-ready competencies, reinforcing the value of cross-sector partnerships in advancing workforce development.
SCALE K-12 Participates in Indiana STEM Education Conference
SCALE K-12 is pleased to participate in the Indiana STEM Education Conference, themed “STEM Journeys.” The event brings together educators, researchers, and leaders to explore diverse pathways in STEM education and share strategies that support student learning and academic standards. This conference provides a valuable opportunity to connect, collaborate, and advance high-quality STEM education.
Hands-on learning at the Purdue Polytechnic IN-MaC Design & Innovation Studio Summit!
At the Purdue Polytechnic IN-MaC Design & Innovation Studio Summit, hands-on learning takes center stage in advancing microelectronics education. Led by Dr. Greg Strimel of Purdue University and SCALE K-12 graduate student Yubin Lee, the session “CHIP IN! Hands-On Paths for Integrating Microelectronics & Semiconductors” showcases engaging, classroom-ready activities that bring emerging technologies to life. Participants explore real-world applications of semiconductors while gaining practical strategies to integrate these concepts into K–12 learning, highlighting how experiential education can connect classrooms to industry and prepare students for the rapidly evolving technology workforce.
Cross-curricular learning was also on display at the summit. SCALE K-12 educator Keri Ballard from Holy Trinity showcased how microelectronics can meaningfully connect with English Language Arts in a 5th-grade classroom. As part of Novel Engineering, led by SCALE K-12 Research Lead Dr. Morgan Hynes, students used The Hundred Dresses alongside micro:bit technology to deepen literary understanding while engaging in hands-on STEM learning. This approach strengthens comprehension, builds problem-solving skills, and introduces real-world applications of microelectronics, demonstrating how educators can bridge literacy and STEM to create engaging, future-ready learning experiences.
Driving Impact in Classrooms
ROI Supports District Planning with Microelectronics PD and Vertical Alignment Session
On March 3, ROI convened Vertical Alignment teams and Noyce Fellows for a day-long working session focused on advancing microelectronics education across participating districts. Educators explored new hands-on professional development modules designed to build familiarity with key concepts while offering adaptable, classroom-ready activities. District teams also began developing implementation plans for the 2026–2027 school year, supported by ROI-provided materials and $5,000 in funding per district. The session highlighted the importance of collaboration in scaling microelectronics education and strengthening district-wide alignment.
In the News
Local Teacher Featured for Early Microelectronics Education
A recent TV news story highlighted how microelectronics education is reaching younger students through the Noyce Microelectronics Master Teacher Fellowship at Purdue University, supported by SCALE K-12 and funded by the National Science Foundation. Featuring Lafayette teacher Dawn Evans Sargent, the segment showcased how hands-on engineering experiences are inspiring creativity and confidence in elementary classrooms while preparing the next generation of innovators.
Lafayette Educators Recognized for STEM Leadership
Six educators from Lafayette School Corporation have been recognized as fellows in the Noyce Microelectronics Master Teacher Fellowship at Purdue University, supported by SCALE K-12 and funded by the National Science Foundation. Highlighted for their local impact, these teachers are bringing hands-on microelectronics and engineering experiences into K–12 classrooms, helping students build technical skills, explore real-world technologies, and discover future STEM career pathways.
Making a Lasting Difference
New Journal Article Highlights Advancing Electronics Design in High School Classrooms
A new article in Technology and Engineering Education, “From Breadboards to PCBs: Bringing Electronics Design into the High School Classroom,” showcases innovative approaches to deepening STEM learning. Authored by Greg Strimel, Tamara Moore, Amiah Clevenger, Silas Owen, and Brady Barnes, the piece highlights how students can progress from basic breadboard circuits to designing and manufacturing printed circuit boards. This work emphasizes the value of hands-on, iterative design experiences in creating meaningful, career-connected engineering education.
SCALE K-12 Research on STEM–ELA Integration Recognized by Education Sciences
An open-access article featuring SCALE K-12 researchers has been selected for promotion by Education Sciences (MDPI). Titled “Synergizing STEM and ELA: Exploring How Small-Group Interactions Shape Design Decisions in an Engineering Design-Based Unit,” the study highlights how collaborative engineering design experiences support multilingual learners through integrated STEM and English Language Arts instruction. Authored by Deana Lucas, Emily Haluschak, Christine McDonnell, S. Selcen Guzey, Greg Strimel, Morgan Hynes, and Tamara Moore, the research underscores the critical role of collaboration, group dynamics, and teacher support in fostering meaningful engagement and success for diverse learners.
Real Experiences, Real Impact
Authentic voices highlighting the impact of hands-on, career-connected learning
🌟 Real-World Impact
A parent attending an event at Purdue shared that her son was uncertain about his future direction after high school. After engaging with SCALE K–12 curriculum and hands-on microelectronics activities, he chose to pursue engineering at Purdue. He is now a first-year engineering student at Purdue University.
💬 Teacher Perspective
“It’s amazing to see students go from unsure to deeply curious. SCALE K-12 sparks lasting interest in STEM.”
🎤 Student Voices
“It’s worth it to be an engineer. You can do anything. No matter what, nothing can stop you.”
“We got the code to work! We did it! We are greatness!”
“I wish all of my classes had fun units and clients like this!”
“I am happy my teacher joined this project. I have learned a lot and now an interest in a career related to ME.”
“ If you treat a tool with respect, there should be no reason why you are scared ”
Awards and Celebrations
Congratulations to Dr. Tamara Moore!
We’re proud to celebrate Tamara Moore for being newly ratified as a Named Faculty member in the 2025–26 Engineering Faculty Awards of Excellence. As the Crowley Family Professor of Engineering Education, her leadership continues to shape the field in meaningful ways.
Congratulations to Dr. Rachel Higbee!
We’re proud to celebrate Rachel E. Higbee for successfully defending her dissertation, Exploration of Secondary Science Teachers’ Environmental Justice Beliefs and Experiences. Her research explores how middle school science teachers implement an engineering design-based STEM unit focused on environmental justice, and how their beliefs shape instruction.
3 Minute Thesis Competition
Another big congratulations to Dr. Rachele Higbee for being named a finalist in the 3-Minute Thesis Competition! This recognition highlights her ability to communicate complex research with clarity, creativity, and impact. We are proud to celebrate this achievement and look forward to her continued success.
PhD Candidacy Milestone
We’re excited to share that Christine McDonnell has successfully passed her preliminary exam and advanced to PhD candidacy. Her dissertation explores STEM integration curricula and pedagogical reasoning in engineering design-based learning contexts.