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，在通信、医疗保健和国家安全等重要应用和系统中发挥着重要作用。为了维持美国由于美国在半导体行业的全球竞争力不强，对熟练的半导体劳动力的需求不断增长。高中生是使用电子设备最频繁的人群之一。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学生一起开发半导体课程，并与高等教育、K-12和工业领域的合作伙伴一起开发，并辅以人工智能（AI）和其他创新技术。以游戏为基础的半导体模块将被创造出来，让学生们与同龄人一起选择不同文化的化身进行游戏和学习。这些学习模块将通过项目合作伙伴Stemuli（一家基于游戏的学习公司）向广大学生提供。此外，每年夏天（第2-4年）将有大约50名学生参加在缅因州和德克萨斯州举办的面对面研讨会。通过这些研讨会，学生们将参与动手活动，并到半导体公司实地考察，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，对工作坊和游戏课程进行迭代设计和完善。这个开发和测试创新（DTI）项目旨在通过一个创新的基于游戏的学习平台、实践活动和行业实地考察，帮助高中生发展半导体领域的技能和职业兴趣。首要的研究问题是：AI教育家（一种用于教育的生成式人工智能工具）、基于游戏的学习和实践经验的设计和集成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、帮助和额外的学习材料。AI组件将负责根据学生的兴趣、爱好和偏好调整输出内容，以使体验更具相关性。数据收集将包括学生的态度、游戏活动和实践学习成果。将采用基于设计的研究方法，结合NASA任务负荷指数、t检验、访谈和调查，以了解学生对游戏和研讨会课程的学习和效果。技术、教学法和内容知识（TPACK）框架将在整个人工智能和游戏技术集成到半导体课程和教育途径中使用和完善。该项目将以公平、无障碍、参与和协作为重点，迎合来自不同背景的学生。该项目由“面向学生和教师的创新技术体验”（ITEST）项目共同资助，该项目支持有助于提高学生对科学、技术、工程和数学（STEM）以及信息和通信技术（ICT）职业的知识和兴趣的实践、项目要素、背景和过程的理解。该项目还由推进非正式STEM学习（AISL）计划和发现研究PreK-12 （DRK-12）计划共同资助。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，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.