What is High Tech U?

High Tech U is a unique program sponsored by the non-profit SEMI Foundation that encourages high school students everywhere to become productive members of the workforce by pursuing math and science based careers. The Foundation also offers a High Tech U program for high school teachers.

High Tech U was created by SEMI and is administered by the SEMI Foundation as a way of increasing student interest in science, math and careers in high technology.  The highly interactive three-day curriculum includes hands-on experiments that demonstrate semiconductor manufacturing concepts and explain microchip logic, as well as sessions on educational pathways and career planning.  The teacher program, called High Tech U Teacher Edition, is designed to reinforce the student program, by providing teachers with a curriculum and teaching materials for use in the classroom.

Partnership among industry, the education community, and parents

High Tech U is successful because it is built on a partnership among the semiconductor industry, local secondary schools, higher learning institutions, and the parents of children attending the program. Sponsoring companies provide financial support, teaching venues, assistance with curriculum development, and teaching assistance. Local secondary schools identify students for the program, while local colleges and universities host tours and provide teaching assistance. Because parental cooperation and support are so important to the success of the program, parents are invited to attend an orientation program. They are also encouraged to attend the High Tech U graduation ceremony, where students receive graduation certificates, and scholarships are awarded.

Program history and international expansion plans

Since High Tech U began in the United States in 2001, 46 programs have been delivered to over 1,200 students and more than 300 teachers in the U.S. and Singapore. Through teacher course curriculum integration, nearly 25,000 students have been reached. In 2007 the program will be delivered in Japan and France, and will continue to expand in the US.