University of Tennessee secures $1 million NSF grant to build semiconductor workforce pipeline

(Press-News.org) The University of Tennessee has been awarded a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to prepare Tennessee’s high school students and teachers for careers in the rapidly growing semiconductor industry—one of the most critical sectors of the U.S. economy.

The three-year project, Explorations: Tennessee Experiential Learning for Teachers and Students to Empower Pathways into Microelectronics, is funded through NSF’s Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) program.

Led by the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS) and in close partnership with Tickle College of Engineering’s (TCE) Min H. Kao Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, the initiative leverages collaborative expertise across UT to deliver innovative workforce training in the high demand field of chip design and manufacturing.

Building on Past Success The Explorations: Tennessee Experiential Learning for Teachers and Students to Empower Pathways into Microelectronics expands the work of the NSF IUCRC ASTEP program, which introduced high school and community college students to chip design through coursework, hands-on projects, and internships at UT’s NorDIC Lab.

“The experience and momentum from ASTEP laid the groundwork for CHIPS STARS to scale its reach across Tennessee,” said EECS Assistant Professor Ahmedullah Aziz. “This award empowers us to align Tennessee’s educational strengths with the urgent workforce needs of the semiconductor industry.”

A Pathway for Students and Teachers The program will train high school teachers in UT labs alongside faculty and graduate students, equipping them to deliver classroom-ready modules in semiconductor design and manufacturing.

“ExLENT is more than a curriculum. It is a talent pipeline, a training ground for teachers, and a launchpad for students into the future of microelectronics,” said EECS Professor Aly Fathy.

Program Highlights Teacher Professional Development: Twenty Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers will receive training in chip design and manufacturing, supported with lab kits and year-round classroom assistance by UT faculty and graduate students. Student Engagement: Students will participate in lab visits, lectures, and paid work-based learning with partners such as Siemens, Texas Instruments, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The program is expected to impact more than 2,000 students annually. Dual Enrollment Micro-credential: In partnership with CECS and regional community colleges, Tennessee’s first high school-to-college credential in semiconductor design will launch, giving students industry-recognized qualifications upon graduation. Statewide Expansion:  A “train-the-trainer” model will scale the program across Tennessee, strengthening the workforce pipeline through collaboration with district leaders, community colleges and industry partners. Impact for Tennessee Semiconductors power everything from smartphones to cars, yet the U.S. faces a critical shortage of skilled workers. The Explorations: Tennessee Experiential Learning for Teachers and Students to Empower Pathways into Microelectronics addresses this gap by preparing students for high-demand, high-wage careers while enhancing Tennessee’s competitiveness in advanced manufacturing.

“Investing in our students today ensures Tennessee is ready for the industries of tomorrow,” said Vice Provost and Founding Dean of CECS Ozlem Kilic. “This program doesn’t just change classrooms. It changes futures. This NSF investment affirms the power of our approach to open opportunity for every Tennessean in the industries that will define our economic future.”

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