Boise State and Micron Foundation Launch Inaugural Chip Class for Idaho Middle Schoolers
A first-of-its-kind semiconductor education program co-developed by Boise State University and the Micron Foundation has wrapped up its inaugural year in Idaho, reaching 74 middle school students across Ada County and the surrounding Treasure Valley region. The Micron Chip Class introduced young learners to the fundamentals of semiconductor technology, engineering, and STEM careers — with the aim of building both skills and confidence in the next generation of Idaho innovators.
How the Program Works
Modeled after a similar initiative the Micron Foundation launched in Taiwan, the eight-week Chip Class curriculum was designed to go well beyond textbook instruction. Students simulated wafer fabrication, assembled brick-based models of solid-state drives, programmed Arduino circuits, and worked through engineering challenges using recyclable materials. They also explored the expanding role of artificial intelligence and how it connects to real-world STEM careers.
The program concluded with a field trip to Micron Technology’s headquarters in Boise, where students participated in a chemistry lesson, explored an AI-focused hands-on activity, and toured an actual semiconductor fabrication facility where memory chips are produced. For many participants, the visit served as a turning point — making the connection between classroom concepts and career possibilities tangible.
“Chip Class is a fantastic opportunity for students to explore semiconductors through hands-on activities that spark confidence and excitement in STEM,” said Hailey Lynch, an educational specialist at Boise State and one of the program’s founding organizers. “Students experience the innovation and career opportunities shaping Idaho’s growing tech industry today.”
Three Community Partners, 74 Students
The inaugural year of Chip Class reached students through three distinct community partnerships across the region:
At the Kuna Library District, 19 students in grades five through eight took part in an after-school version of the program. At Union Middle School in Nampa, 31 eighth-grade students worked through the curriculum as part of their STEAM class. At Kuna Middle School, 24 seventh and eighth graders completed the full eight-week experience.
The variety of settings — from a public library to a classroom — reflects the program’s intention to reach students regardless of their school’s resources or location.
Impact on Ada County Students and the Regional Workforce Pipeline
Chip Class was built with an explicit goal beyond technical instruction: helping students envision themselves as future STEM professionals. To measure that impact, participants completed surveys both before and after the program. The results showed meaningful gains across three areas — students’ sense of belonging in STEM, their likelihood of pursuing STEM coursework, and their openness to considering a STEM career.
That kind of early exposure matters, particularly in a region where Micron Technology stands as one of the largest employers and continues to invest in semiconductor manufacturing capacity in Boise. Connecting middle schoolers to that industry at a formative age strengthens the long-term workforce pipeline for one of Idaho’s most significant economic sectors.
The program also aligns with the mission of Boise State’s College of Engineering and its Microelectronics Education and Research Center, which have prioritized outreach to students of all ages and backgrounds across the state. Boise State has been expanding its role in semiconductor education in recent years — a priority that gained additional urgency following a cyberattack that disrupted campus operations earlier this spring, underscoring the importance of building robust technology literacy at every level.
What Comes Next
Curriculum materials for the 2026–2027 school year are currently in development, and teachers interested in bringing Chip Class to their students will be able to sign up to participate. With continued backing from the Micron Foundation, the program is slated to expand to one school partner and one out-of-school partner each semester.
Educators and school administrators in Ada County and the broader Treasure Valley who want to stay informed about upcoming opportunities can reach out to Boise State University’s College of Engineering for details on enrollment and partnership options as they become available. Families interested in related education policy and workforce development should also follow updates from West Ada School District and area school boards, where new negotiation agreements between districts and unions are reshaping how educators are supported across Idaho.
With 74 students completing the first cohort and demand expected to grow, Chip Class appears positioned to become a fixture in Idaho’s STEM education landscape — one eight-week session at a time.