When SEMICON West opens in downtown Phoenix this October, it won’t just be industry leaders gathering. Just a few blocks away, students will step into SEMIquest, a new interactive exhibit at the Arizona Science Center that brings the semiconductor world to life for Arizona’s middle and high schoolers. Created by the SEMI Foundation, the experience blends hands-on science, emerging technology and career exploration in one place.
Inside, students will wire circuits using breadboards, handle materials used in chip manufacturing and take part in coding challenges. They’ll explore how semiconductors support everything from electric vehicles to medical devices and learn what it takes to build the tools powering AI and clean energy systems.
Educators will also gain a toolkit of classroom-ready resources, including industry-developed activities, professional development opportunities and structured pathways to extend learning beyond the event.
A select group of students will tour the SEMICON West show floor, exposing them to the very heart of the global semiconductor industry.
And, in an industry where the workforce of tomorrow begins with inspiration today, it is crucial that students no longer just learn textbook science. Through this experience, they are seeing the invisible world of chips made tangible and being inspired to imagine themselves shaping what’s next.
SEMIquest is proactively getting students to think about the possibilities early and is providing a launchpad for Arizona’s next generation of engineers, technologists and innovators.
Photo courtesy of SEMI Foundation
