U of A Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing and CUSD partner for second annual Chips and Wafers summer camp, sponsored by Arm

Summer is here, and the University of Arizona Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing is once again partnering with Chandler Unified School District to host the second Chips and Wafers camp for rising ninth and 10^th grade students.

The camp was developed by CUSD’s Career and Technical Education Emerging Technologies Coordinator Janet Hartkopf  to introduce students to the wide array of career opportunities across the semiconductor sector. 

During the weeklong camp held June 9-13, campers will engage with U of A experts in the semiconductor field, including CSM Fellows and faculty members, and tour the NXP, Intel and Cirrus Logic facilities in Chandler. In addition, they will participate in hands-on activities at the Northern Arizona University North Valley Campus, and learn from experts there about the scientific and technical challenges faced in the development of next-generation semiconductor technologies. 

Last year, U of A and NAU signed an MOU to explore joint curriculum development, research projects, academic exchanges, and industry partnerships in identified semiconductor research areas of priority to Arizona and the nation.

As the 2025 camp sponsor, Arm will provide robotics kits and Raspberry Pi computing modules for students’ camp projects. Arm, one of the largest companies in the semiconductor space, develops the designs for critical components of modern semiconductor chips. 

“CUSD is thrilled to be supported by Arm in this effort. Industry support enables us to focus on drawing more students towards semiconductor-sector careers with engaging, relevant and exciting activities, as we seek to introduce the world of semiconductor technologies to our students,” said Hartkopf.

"The Arm School Program works with education and technology partners to support teachers and learners in STEM and computing education. Through the Chips and Wafers camp, we hope to encourage learners to experience the subject of physical computing as a combination of creative and social experiences, as well as a means of solving real-world problems,” said Stephen Ozoigbo, head of Government Partnerships & Ecosystems, Arm.

Soheil Salehi, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and CSM Fellow, added, “As our world depends increasingly on powerful, efficient and secure semiconductor chips to drive everything from artificial intelligence to quantum computing, the complexity and challenges of designing and manufacturing them continues to grow. The next generation of engineers and innovators will be at the forefront of solving these challenges. Through the Chips and Wafers camp, we hope to spark curiosity and inspire students to pursue careers that shape the future of technology and serve the greater good. Our goal is to open doors for students to imagine themselves as the innovators of tomorrow.”

Krishna Muralidharan, interim director of the Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing, noted that Arizona urgently needs to expand its semiconductor workforce in order to fill many career opportunities in this sector. “Our goal is that the Chips and Wafers camp will excite students about becoming part of this burgeoning ecosystem, and expand their understanding of how to pursue those careers.”