CU Boulder IMOD students partnered with CU Science Discovery to provide a week-long science camp for high school students, exploring the importance of semiconductors– their production, applications, and the science behind them.
In a nutshell, the awesome power of today’s computers, phones, and wireless devices are made possible by one very special class of materials: semiconductors! In this course, students will gain an introduction to materials science as we learn the atomic origins of semiconductors’ unique properties. We will unveil the mysterious characteristics of light, and how photons across the electromagnetic spectrum interact with semiconducting materials. Through hands-on experiments, demonstrations, and engineering challenges, students will discover the core workings of powerful modern technologies such as LEDs, lasers, and photovoltaics. Finally, we will explore the future of semiconductors and the endless possibilities of quantum information and renewable energy, with an emphasis on how interested students may enter these fields as scientists and engineers to change the world for the better.
This was a very rewarding event to design and complete. Most content for the week was being piloted with the high school age audience after >6months of planning, discussion, and design. CU Science Discovery was a very valuable partner organization for this sort of test run, and enabled us to really focus on developing the curricula and science activities to complete. Now with the first year complete, I’m quite excited to refine the course and improve the visibility and accessibility to students that may otherwise lack opportunities like this summer course.