Every year, Nikon Precision Inc. and Nikon Research Corporation of America support SEMI High Tech U, a STEM-based career exploration program for high school students. This program is hosted by the SEMI Foundation, which organizes educational and career activities for students to raise interest in engineering and other high-tech fields.
SEMI High Tech U students engage in hands-on activities that focus on topics such as statistics, nanotechnology, solar and alternative energy technologies, electronics and chemistry. Participants also develop essential soft skills and take part in mock job interviews with industry professionals. Additionally, students have the opportunity to find out about local college and university options.
Silicon Valley HTU students have historically attended the three-day program taught by industry representatives at the campuses of KLA-Tencor and San Jose State University, with similar events hosted in other regions as well. The curriculum serves as a platform for explaining the technologies used to create the microchips that are so prevalent in today’s electronic devices, while also highlighting the educational pathways and opportunities that lead to rewarding careers in the high-tech industry. Principal sponsors and hosts of the Fall 2015 program included Nikon, KLA-Tencor, Lam Research, Intel Corporation, and San Jose State University.
Figure 1. SEMI HTU students engage in hands-on engineering experiments as part of the career exploration program -- Fall 2015. Photo courtesy of SEMI Foundation.
In addition to sponsoring this industry-driven STEM career exploration program, Nikon was pleased to provide volunteer instructors to participate in mock job interviews with the students. Nikon also gifted a COOLPIX P610 camera with full HD video capabilities to the SEMI Foundation. The technology will be used to create mock interview videos and capture classroom activities at upcoming SEMI High Tech U programs in Silicon Valley.
"SEMI High Tech U provides an invaluable experience where students learn about the vital role that our industry plays in enabling today’s technology-based society," said Hamid Zarringhalam, Executive Vice President of Nikon Precision Inc. "Nikon is proud to provide funding and volunteer support for this exciting program that increases student awareness about future educational and career opportunities in the tech sector.”