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The world of high tech opened its doors to San Jose high school students last November for a tantalizing hands-on look at challenges in the microelectronics field. Students from the San Jose State University MESA center spent three days at High Tech U, splitting their time between Intel and Applied Materials, and San Jose State University. The event is sponsored by the SEMI Foundation, which promotes education and awareness of the high tech industry. High Tech U gets students excited about careers based in science and math. We put in an extra spin by connecting high tech to real-life applications,” said Lisa Anderson, SEMI Foundation Vice President. Students examined circuits, tested electronic devices and worked on nanotechnology. They also donned white suits, gloves, headgear, and footgear to enter a clean room to make sample silicon wafers. MESA Industry Advisory Board member Jerry Kissinger from Intel arranged for 10 of 30 coveted slots to be allotted to MESA students because of the close similarity of mission between MESA and High Tech U. The experience was an important one for the MESA students. Each will be the first in their family to attend college. Parents of half the students did not have an opportunity to graduate from high school. Prior to High Tech U, MESA Director Yesenia Guerrero and Academic Coordinator Maria Cristina Lopez developed a short crash course on corporate culture for students and parents. “It was challenging for our students to go into the program,” said Guerrero. “Most haven’t been in that type of (corporate) environment before. It can be very intimidating.” But students found the experience exciting and inspiring, including junior Alex Corona Mora, who received a $1,000 scholarship after being nominated by his peers for his leadership skills. Corona appreciated the hands-on nature of the experience, which he felt was more meaningful than filling out classroom worksheets. “High Tech U gives you insight on areas you can be in. It can be a life-changing experience if you don’t know what engineering is,” said Mora, who attends the MESA Washington Square Saturday program and who plans to double major in engineering and psychology. Junior Ayiesha Williams liked best the chance to meet other students who are interested in computers and engineering. “High Tech U gave me another perspective on engineering,” said Williams, who is part of MESA’s Green Scholars Program and plans to be a computer engineer. MESA students were well prepared to participate in High Tech U, said Anderson. “ MESA did a great a great job supporting students for our program,” she said. “We’ve got a great partnership and I look forward to MESA continuing as part of High Tech U.”
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