Micron shows off chemistry, electronics and robotics to future engineers

Conner Lewis traveled from Twin Falls to Boise this week to learn more about his passion — science, technology, engineering and math. He dreams of becoming an engineer for Microsoft someday.

“Science offers a lot of experiments,” said the Twin Falls Seventh-day Adventist School seventh grader.

Conner Lewis is piecing together a dancing electrons project.

Conner is learning how to program robots, launch rockets while touring the Micron fabrication plant in Boise as part of the Micron Foundation’s 17th annual Micron Chip Camp.

The free three-week camp is hosting 210 middle school kids from 40 schools across the state, with 70 students participating each week at the Boise School District Dennis Technical Education Center. Kids are learning what engineers and scientists do every day.

“These kids are exposed to what careers are offered in the science field,” said Laurie Anderson of the foundation. “Kids are excited about learning and the foundation wants to keep their interest in science.”

Chip camp was created to expose students to the semiconductor industry. The foundation hopes the camp will help influence students to incorporate challenging math and science courses into their high school schedules.

“I love learning how technology works and the physics behind it,” said Sophia Mullin, an eighth grader at Boise’s North Junior High School. “Maybe I’ll work for Micron in the future.”

Students will get three days of hands-on learning:

  • Virtual reality technology learning about the economy, industry, social interactions and entertainment.
  • Designing and building a capacitor with foil, plastic wrap and adhesive.
  • Building and launching rockets while learning Newton’s laws.
  • Lego building to simulate Micron products.

Micron engineers and professionals lead the activities, teaching kids about the intricate business of designing and manufacturing semiconductors and integrated circuits.

On the third day of camp, all the kids are bused to Micron for a tour and to participate in chemistry experiments and computer programming. Click here to learn more about the camp.

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Andrew Reed

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