"Storytelling and Semiconductors" coming to western U.P. classrooms in the fall

What's happening: A new way of teaching and learning about the science of semiconductors to inspire skills building and potential careers in Michigan’s surging advanced manufacturing industry will debut in the fall in fourth-grade classrooms across the Western Upper Peninsula, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). The project is called "Storytelling and Semiconductors" and will educate fourth graders on what semiconductors are, how and where they are used, how they impact society, and provide introductions to relevant industry careers and opportunities.

Who benefits: The Storytelling and Semiconductors program will serve the 20 districts across the five counties of the Western Upper Peninsula -- Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Keweenaw, and Ontonagon counties, including two Intermediate School Districts: Copper Country and Gogebic-Ontonagon.

Funding: The first-of-its-kind project is funded through a $201,000 grant from MEDC in partnership with the Michigan Dept. of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s MiSTEM Network, which was created to make science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning more accessible and position more Michigan students for career success. Key partners include: Calumet Electronics, Regional Educational Media Center, Western Upper Peninsula MiSTEM, U.P. MiWorks!, InvestUP, the Michigan Department of Education, and Burton EMS. The mechatronics programs at Gogebic Community College and Michigan Technological University will also be consulted during program development.

What they're saying: “As we work to deliver economic prosperity for all through our ‘Make It’ in Michigan economic development strategy, the new Storytelling and Semiconductors program presents a win-win-win scenario for Michiganders,” said MEDC Director of Strategic Talent Initiatives Spencer Lucker. “It’s a win for Western UP students and their teachers to gain real-world education applications and hands-on workforce training at an early, impressionable age."

What's next: Classes begin in the fall and will continue throughout the 2025-26 school year.