What do you get when you bring together 120 campers, 10 counselors, nearly 50 volunteers, and six days of hands-on fun? Micron Chip Camp! And this year’s camp, held in May and June, was another incredible success.
Now in its 25th year, Micron Chip Camp continues to introduce students to the fascinating world of semiconductors and microelectronics. This year, the team at the Institute of Microelectronics Education and Research (IMER) proudly took the lead in organizing the event, carrying forward Micron’s original mission to inspire and educate the next generation of innovators. Through numerous hands-on activities, group collaboration and team building, and an exclusive visit to Micron Technology, these students were exposed to the thrilling world of semiconductors in ways that many of them had never before experienced.
“The Micron Chip Camp was an amazing opportunity for my child,” said one parent after the end of camp. “The staff had everything well planned out, from the activities to the lunch menu! One of the highlights for my child was getting to tour Micron. The whole camp was a fun experience for him!”
Both of the 3-day camp sessions followed the same dynamic schedule, kicking off with team-building activities on Boise State’s campus. Once students got to know their teammates and counselors, they dove headfirst into STEM exploration with visits to the Boise State Makers Lab and GIMM Studio, where they were introduced to the fundamentals of microelectronics through hands-on activities.
Day two, campers and counselors headed to Micron. There, they were greeted by an incredible group of Micron volunteers who led them through Arduino lessons, a silver nitrate deposition activity, and the ever-popular tour of the campus.
The final day brought even more excitement as campers suited up in full bunny suits for a visit to Boise State’s Idaho Microfabrication Lab to experience what it is like to be in a real cleanroom environment. The day wrapped up with Sphero activities, car building and racing, and of course, a popcorn and popsicle party to close out the week!
None of this would be possible without the generous support and partnership of Micron. The collaboration between academia and industry is essential, not only in creating exciting, hands-on learning experiences, but also in opening students’ eyes to future career paths they otherwise may never have considered. By bridging the gap between the classroom and the workplace, programs like Chip Camp help spark lasting interest in STEM.
“Campers from across the Treasure Valley get a one of a kind experience through this camp. We strive to provide lifelong memories that hopefully drive student interest in engineering, science, technology, and beyond,” said Camille Platts-McPharlin, Senior Academic Projects Coordinator for IMER, and a key leader in organizing the camp. “The Micron Chip Camp model is a unique example of critical partnership between academia and industry, demonstrating how to effectively come together and provide a community resource. Of course, the bonus is the fun we get to have with students and seeing the moment they start to consider engineering as a potential career pathway.”
At its core, Micron Chip Camp is all about combining fun with meaningful learning; and it delivers. As one camper put it, “Chip Camp had really fun activities and I got to learn a lot while having so much fun! I got to turn a glass vial silver, make a keychain, and so much else, all while learning STEM concepts.”
Experiences like these are what ignite curiosity and introduce students to future educational and career pathways. By fostering collaboration between industry and academia, programs like Micron Chip Camp not only strengthen the talent pipeline for rapidly growing fields like microelectronics, but also support local companies like Micron and the broader STEM ecosystem. Inspiring young minds to imagine where they could be in the future isn’t just exciting, it’s essential.
