In the Fall 2023 issue of Journeys, Delta announced its partnership with the Talent Action Team (TAT) for Semiconductors organized by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).

Officials from MEDC and area employers, Hemlock Semiconductor (HSC) and SK siltron css, joined us last fall to help announce the $292,531 in grant funding the college received. The funds are helping to build a nationally recognized semiconductor technician and transfer curriculum and establish new ways to engage middle and high school students with STEM career opportunities in our region.

As a part of this initiative, the STEM Explorer team at Delta developed the Semiconductor Experience that took place every Tuesday over seven weeks, this past winter. Each week, nearly 100 high school students visited campus and spent the day learning about the semiconductor industry in our community and the related educational opportunities available at Delta.

Participating students were asked to take a survey at the end of their visit. The survey found that 100% of respondents said they learned about new STEM careers they did not know about before. It also showed that 100% of respondents said they learned about the importance of semiconductors in our region. And 80% of respondents expressed interest in new Delta STEM programs.

“When the high school students came to campus, they had an opportunity to participate in hands-on activities where they learned the process of semiconductors,” shared Megan Birdwell, STEM Explorer coordinator. “They rotated through five different stations, which included a campus STEM tour and simulated manufacturing processes for both HSC and SK siltron css. This helped introduce students to educational opportunities they might be interested in and future jobs that they might want to pursue.”