Collaborative Research: A Semiconductor Curriculum and Learning Framework for High-Schoolers Using Artificial Intelligence, Game Modules, and Hands-on Experiences

半导体是电子设备的重要组成部分，可促进通信、医疗保健和国家安全等重要应用和系统的发展。为了维持美国。随着半导体行业的全球竞争力不断增强，对熟练半导体劳动力的需求日益增长。高中生是电子设备最频繁的用户之一。然而，许多人不知道这些设备是如何设计和制造的。为了公平地解决知识差距和劳动力需求，该项目将与来自不同背景的高中生以及高等教育，K-12和行业的合作伙伴一起开发半导体课程，并通过人工智能（AI）和其他创新技术进行增强。将为学生创建基于游戏的半导体模块，与选择文化多样性化身的同龄人一起玩耍和学习。这些学习模块将通过项目合作者Stemuli（一家基于游戏的学习公司）提供给广大学生。此外，每年夏天（2-4年级）约有50名学生将参加在缅因州和得克萨斯州举办的现场研讨会。通过这些研讨会，学生将参与实践活动和实地考察半导体公司，在那里他们将把基于游戏的学习与行业经验联系起来。根据学生的反馈，工作坊和游戏课程将迭代设计和改进。这个开发和测试创新（DTI）项目旨在帮助高中学生通过创新的游戏式学习平台，实践活动和行业实地考察来发展半导体领域的技能和职业兴趣。首要的研究问题是：AI Educator（一种用于教育的生成式AI工具）的设计和整合、基于游戏的学习和实践经验在多大程度上提供了公平的机会，并加强了学生在STEM职业中的参与度、意识、兴趣和知识？AI教育者将为学生提供有关主题的建议，帮助和其他学习材料。AI组件将负责根据学生的兴趣、爱好和偏好调整输出内容，使体验更具相关性。数据收集将包括学生的态度，游戏活动，和动手学习成果。设计为基础的研究方法将被用来结合美国宇航局的任务负荷指数，t检验，访谈和调查，以了解学生的学习和游戏和研讨会课程的有效性。技术，教学法和内容知识（TPACK）框架将在人工智能和游戏技术集成到半导体课程和教育途径中的整个过程中使用和完善。该项目的设计将侧重于公平，无障碍，参与和协作，迎合来自不同背景的学生。该项目由学生和教师创新技术体验（ITEST）计划共同资助，该计划支持建立对实践，计划要素，背景和过程的理解的项目，有助于增加学生对科学，技术，工程和数学（STEM）以及信息和通信技术（ICT）职业的知识和兴趣。该项目也由推进非正式STEM学习（AISL）计划和发现研究PreK-12（DRK-12）计划共同资助。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Semiconductors are essential components of electronic devices, enabling advances in important applications and systems such as communication, healthcare, and national security. In order to sustain the U.S.'s global competitiveness in the semiconductor industry, there is a growing demand for a skilled semiconductor workforce. High-schoolers are among the most frequent users of electronic devices. However, many do not know how these devices are designed and manufactured. To address the knowledge gaps and workforce needs equitably, this project will develop a semiconductor curriculum with high-school-aged students from diverse backgrounds, and with partners in higher education, K-12, and industries, enhanced with artificial intelligence (AI) and other innovative technologies. Game-based semiconductor modules will be created for students to play and learn with peers choosing culturally diverse avatars. These learning modules will be made available to a wide range of students through the project collaborator Stemuli, a game-based learning company. In addition, approximately 50 students each summer (years 2-4) will be engaged in in-person workshops hosted in Maine and Texas. Through these workshops, students will be engaged in hands-on activities and field trips to semiconductor companies where they will connect their game-based learning with industry experiences. Based on students' feedback, the workshop and game curriculum will be designed and improved iteratively. This Developing and Testing Innovations (DTI) project aims to help high-school students develop skills and career interests in the semiconductor fields through an innovative game-based learning platform, hands-on activities, and industry field trips. The overarching research question is: To what extent do the designs and integration of AI Educator(a generative AI tool for education), game-based learning, and hands-on experiences provide equitable access and strengthen students’ engagements, awareness, interests, and knowledge in STEM careers? The AI Educator will provide students with suggestions, assistance, and additional study materials about the subject matter. The AI component will be responsible for tuning the output content based on the student’s interests, hobbies, and preferences to make the experience more relatable. Data collection will include students’ attitudes, game activities, and hands-on learning outcomes. Design-based research methods will be used incorporating the NASA Task Load Index, t-test, interviews, and surveys to understand students’ learning and efficacy of the game and workshop curriculum. The Technology, Pedagogy, and Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework will be used and refined throughout the AI and game technology integrations into the semiconductor curriculum and education pathways. The project will be designed with a focus on equity, accessibility, engagement, and collaboration, catering to students from diverse backgrounds. This project is co-funded by the Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) program, which supports projects that build understandings of practices, program elements, contexts and processes contributing to increasing students' knowledge and interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and information and communication technology (ICT) careers. This project is also co-funded by the Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program and the Discovery Research PreK-12 (DRK-12) program.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.