Presenting Our Impact

Dr. Tamara Moore at the DoD STEM Technical Exchange

Her session, “Powering Defense Innovation: A Microelectronics Workforce Development Ecosystem in Action”, highlighted how innovative partnerships and curriculum design are preparing the next generation of talent in microelectronics manufacturing, engineering, and technology.

Yubin Lee for presenting at the Pupil’s Attitude Toward Technology (PATT) Conference in Montréal.

Yubin’s presentation, “Integrating Microelectronics into Technology Education: Exploring the Influence of Workforce Demands,” highlighted important connections between emerging workforce needs and classroom instruction.

Congratulations to Emily Haluschak and Azizi Penn for presenting at Frontiers in Education (FIE) Conference!

Research presentations highlighted SCALE K-12 work and explored how undergraduate mentors support K–12 students in engineering and computer science outreach.

Expanding Our Reach

Strengthening STEM pathways in Illinois through SCALE K-12

As part of the ongoing SCALE K–12 expansion in Illinois at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the Illinois SCALE K–12 team recently led a hands-on workshop with implementation teachers from Champaign Central, Uni High, and St. Joseph-Ogden

The Illinois SCALE K-12 Team, led by Molly H. Goldstein, PhD, presented their work at the Illinois Technology Education Conference (ITEC)

Teacher Fellow Tom Kiesel and GRA Josh Katz shared Guardians of the GRID, a high school computer science curriculum that engages students in computational thinking and systems engineering through interactive, story-driven learning experiences. This work reflects the team’s continued commitment to expanding access to meaningful, hands-on computer science education across Illinois.

Making a Lasting Difference

SCALE K-12 PI Dr. Rick Hill of University of Detroit Mercy participated in the SEMI Women in Semiconductors

The event united leaders from education, government, and industry to celebrate women’s contributions in semiconductors and explore strategies for equity, career growth, and systemic change. We thank SEMI for fostering these important conversations and for including SCALE K-12 in advancing a stronger, more inclusive semiconductor workforce.

SCALE K-12 Graduate Student Inspires Future Microelectronics Engineers

Emily Haluschak at Crane led hands-on activities for students, presenting “Microelectronics Careers” and “How a Chip is Born.” Kids got an interactive introduction to the world of microelectronics, sparking curiosity and inspiring the next generation of innovators.

Nation’s Largest University of Scouting Event: Purdue University

More than 1,700 Scouts and leaders from 26 states traveled to Purdue University for the country’s largest University of Scouting event, a full day of hands-on STEM exploration, leadership training, and real-world skill development.

SCALE K-12 contributed to the day’s STEM programming by hosting an information table, teaching the Electronics Merit Badge, and providing a workshop for adult leaders on integrating engineering habits of mind into troop activities.

Growth and Innovation

Purdue AI in P–12 Education Conference

SCALE K-12 was proud to be part of this year’s conference, supporting efforts to connect AI innovation and workforce readiness with K–12 education.

The 2025 conference theme, Empowerment, explores how AI can empower teachers and students through innovative classroom practices, research, and policy. With more than 50 presentations focused on AI in curriculum, bias, privacy, and teacher development, this event showcased how AI can shape the future of learning.

Why is it important to introduce AI concepts to students at the P–12 level?

We sat down with Dr. William (Bill) Watson, Professor of Learning Design & Technology at Purdue University and organizer of the Purdue AI in P–12 Education Conference, to explore this key question.

Dr. Watson shared how early exposure to AI can empower teachers and students to understand, use, and shape technology responsibly, preparing today’s learners for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.

SCALE K-12 Partners with ARM on AI Education Initiative

Purdue University’s SCALE and SCALE K-12 programs are partnering with global compute leader Arm to launch the EducateAI Coalition, a national effort to expand AI literacy and strengthen the future workforce.

Announced at the White House during the Pledge to America’s Youth: Investing in AI Education, the coalition will connect K–12 schools, colleges, and industry to bring high-quality AI and microelectronics learning to students nationwide.

“With SCALE and SCALE K-12 serving as primary partners, we are ensuring young people gain the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in an AI-driven world,” said Dr. Tamara Moore, Program Director of SCALE K-12.

Over the next 4 years, the coalition will:
500+ teacher workshops and training events
20 regional programs bringing AI tools into classrooms
40,000 trained and certified teachers
Partnerships with 5,000+ schools and institutions

During a summer workshop at Purdue, SCALE K-12 teacher fellows explore microelectronics, learn new soldering techniques and collaborate on writing curriculum units to take back to their classrooms.

STEM Education Through the Noyce ME Master Teacher Fellowship

Funded by the National Science Foundation and supported by SCALE K-12, the Noyce Microelectronics (ME) Master Teacher Fellowship at Purdue University strengthens the K–12 STEM teaching workforce to meet the nation’s emerging microelectronics needs.

This multi-year fellowship develops teacher leaders who deepen ME content knowledge, build integrated STEM instructional expertise, and expand access to high-quality technology education for students.

**The Noyce ME Master Teacher Fellowship is designed to:**
Strengthen teacher expertise in microelectronics content and integrated STEM pedagogy
Support and retain highly effective teachers in high-need districts
Prepare teachers to serve as instructional leaders who guide STEM innovation in their schools
Increase student access to ME learning and build pathways toward microelectronics career

The program is powered by a network of regional partners, including Regional Opportunity Initiatives, the Naval Surface Warfare Center–Crane Division, and the Silicon Crossroads Microelectronics Commons Hub, serving four school districts: