MEDC grant helps launch new cutting-edge ‘Storytelling and Semiconductors’ instruction program coming to 4th-grade student classrooms this fall in Western Upper Peninsula

Project that will serve all 20 school districts in the Copper County ISD and Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD regions is being hailed as a model for Michigan schools to embrace in the state’s push to advance 21st-century learning and promote high-tech, advanced manufacturing careers

LANSING, Mich. – 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 this fall in 4^th-grade student classrooms across the Western Upper Peninsula (Western UP).

The first-of-its-kind “Storytelling and Semiconductors (or S and S)” project is funded through a $201,000 grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (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 (STEM) learning more accessible across the state and position more Michigan students for career success.

Proponents are touting the project as a model for all Michigan schools to consider embracing as part of the state’s push to advance 21^st-century learning and build a talent pipeline that connects future high-tech skilled workers with good-paying jobs in key Michigan advanced manufacturing sectors such as semiconductors, electronic vehicles and mobility, aerospace and defense.

“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,” Lucker said.

“It’s a win for our state’s innovative companies, such as Calumet Electronics, to develop talent pipelines that are fundamental to their success,” he said.  “And, ultimately, it’s a win for Michigan by promoting our advanced manufacturing career opportunities, strengthening the skills and competitiveness of our already top-tier workforce and our cutting-edge school systems.”

More details about the Storytelling and Semiconductors project will be announced to Western UP educators at approximately 2:15 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, as part of a 10-minute highlight session during an areawide teacher in-service day at Houghton High School.

“The Storytelling and Semiconductor program will be a launch pad for Western UP students to discover and explore the career path to success in the semiconductor industry,” said James Rautiola, superintendent of the Copper Country Intermediate School District (ISD) that serves Baraga, Houghton and Keweenaw counties.

“We wholeheartedly support this exciting project and believe it will best prepare teachers by improving their instruction skills in the classroom, then use that training to inspire and equip students for achievement in the semiconductor industry and beyond,” Rautiola said.

“The Storytelling and Semiconductors program is a forward-thinking initiative that addresses a critical educational need and connects to direct economic opportunities for our students,” said Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD Supt. Alan Tulppo. “Its innovative approach and strong industry partnerships make it an exemplary model of STEM education.”

 

Who Benefits

The Storytelling and Semiconductors program will serve the 20 districts across the five counties of the WUP (Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Keweenaw, and Ontonagon counties), including two Intermediate School Districts: Copper Country and Gogebic-Ontonagon.

The 20 districts include:

Arvon Township Schools, Adams Township School District, Baraga Area Schools, Public Schools of Calumet, Laurium, & Keweenaw, Chassell Township Schools, Copper Island Academy, Dollar Bay-Tamarack City Area Schools, Elm River School, Grant Township School, Hancock Public Township Schools, Houghton-Portage Township Schools, Lake Linden-Hubbell Public Schools, L’Anse Area Schools, Stanton Township Public Schools, Bessemer Area School, Ewen-Trout Creek Consolidated School, Ironwood Area School, Ontonagon Area School, Wakefield-Marenisco Schools, and Watersmeet Township Schools.

 

What Is ‘Storytelling and Semiconductors’?

Storytelling and Semiconductors will address Michigan’s and the nation’s semiconductor workforce needs by increasing 4^th graders’ awareness of what semiconductors are, how and where they are used, how they impact society, and provide introductions to relevant industry careers and opportunities.

“Elementary school students’ awareness and understanding of semiconductors are generally limited, given the complexity of the topic and the level of abstract thinking required to grasp it,” said Copper Country ISD Career Technology Education Instructor and Associate Work-Based Learning Coordinator Steve Kass, who is managing the S and S project.

“The knowledge of semiconductors is not only limited to young students, but teachers themselves are often unfamiliar with the topic and overwhelmed with the prospect of teaching about them,” Kass said. “The MEDC’s grant in support of the collaboration with Western UP educators and employers is designed to change that dynamic.”

During a four-day training session series that will begin this June, the Storytelling and Semiconductors program will prepare and train select Western UP teachers to introduce fundamental concepts and simplify the world of semiconductors to their students through storytelling and hands-on classroom activities. The professional development sessions will involve a ‘flipped classroom’ where the teacher-participants experience the same stories and lessons as the students they will be teaching.

In addition to making the semiconductor industry visible and viable to young learners, the Storytelling and Semiconductors program is structured to create a community of empowered elementary teachers who are dedicated to teaching content that is relevant to the “real world” while tackling the challenge of making difficult content appealing to a young target audience.

When classes begin for this fall and continuing throughout the 2025-26 school year, 4^th-grade Western UP students will discover stories with engaging age-appropriate plots that immerse them in the world of semiconductors.

The lessons will build upon one another in story plot and complexity, starting with properties of materials, moving into what, where, and how semiconductors are used today on a personal to global scale, then explaining electronics and circuits, and incorporating careers related to the semiconductor industry.

For example, students will discover the conductive properties of materials through a story that puts the student in a role that will actively involve a scavenger hunt for the “right” material to complete a circuit. Students will test materials on their own, resulting in student-led, inquiry-based lessons. 

The S and S program also will intersect with mechatronics, offering students hands-on experience in designing and building integrated systems that combine mechanical engineering, electronics, computer science, and control engineering. This approach broadens their skillset in related technologies, preparing them for careers in advanced manufacturing and robotics.

The 4^th-grade population in the Western Upper Peninsula (across the Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD and Copper Country ISD) was selected as the target audience because, by 7^th and 8^th grades, students need to have already started their education track to narrow down career pathways geared towards interests in careers, according to the Michigan Department of Education’s Career Development Model.

 

 

Proud Partners

The Western UP’s Storytelling and Semiconductors program benefits from the collaboration and support of a diverse array of state government, business leaders and community partners, each bringing unique expertise and resources to enhance the educational experience for WUP students and educators.

Along with the MEDC as the funding partner, the key partners include Calumet Electronics, REMC, WUP MiSTEM, U.P. MiWorks!, InvestUP, the Michigan Dept. of Education (MDE), and Burton EMS. The mechatronics programs at Gogebic Community College and Michigan Technological University will also be consulted during program development.

“The involvement of all these outstanding partners will create opportunities for students to interact with professionals outside their immediate school environment,” said Gogebic-Ontonagon Director of General Education Megan Hagen.

“This helps students build relationships, understand diverse perspectives, and develop empathy which are all important components of social-emotional learning,” Hagen said.

Calumet Electronics is a primary partner, contributing to the co-creation of semiconductor lessons and providing industry insights that ensure the educational content is both current and relevant. The company designs, manufactures, and engineers printed circuit boards (PCBs) and IC substrates, specializing in high-performance PCBs for industries like aerospace, defense, medical, and industrial. The company’s role in the Storylines and Semiconductors effort will extend beyond content creation to include Calumet Electronics experts engaging with educators and students to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world applications.

“We believe that our involvement in Storytelling and Semiconductors will significantly enhance its impact, providing students with valuable insights and inspiration for their future careers,” said Dr. Meredith Ballard LaBeau, Chief Technology Officer of Calumet Electronics.

“By bridging the gap between education and industry, we can help prepare students for the technological challenges and opportunities of the future,” LaBeau said.

Burton EMS, the electronics manufacturing services company in Ironwood, will prepare students to engage with the assembly of PCBs to help grow a better-informed Western UP workforce. Burton EMS will support the Storytelling and Semiconductors program by facilitating in-person classroom visits, particularly in the GOISD districts. Due to their geographic proximity, the Burton EMS team can offer practical demonstrations and interactive sessions that provide students with a deeper understanding of the subject matter. 

 

Leading the Charge

The regional Western Upper Peninsula MiSTEM Network, under the leadership of WUP MiSTEM Director Dr. Emily Geiger, is contributing significantly to the program’s evaluation and reporting processes.

Additionally, WUP MiSTEM will aid in facilitating the Storylines and Semiconductors professional development days, ensuring that teachers are well-prepared to deliver the semiconductor lessons effectively. Geiger will serve as a connector between Calumet Electronics and the classrooms, fostering meaningful interactions that enrich the educational experience.

“The collaborative efforts of our Western UP partners will ensure that the Storylines and Semiconductors program is robust, comprehensive, and aligned with both educational standards and industry needs,” Geiger said.

“By combining resources, expertise, and a shared commitment to educational excellence, we can significantly enhance the program’s impact, providing students with an enriched learning experience that prepares them for future careers in STEM fields.”

The Storytelling and Semiconductors program will also be integrated into the Western Upper Peninsula Computer Science Pathway, providing a structured progression of computer science education from elementary through high school. This will ensure continuous and escalating exposure to semiconductor and computer science concepts, fostering a deeper understanding and sustained interest in computer science.

The REMC and MiSTEM Network’s extensive reach and established infrastructure will facilitate the dissemination of the program’s materials, training modules, and best practices to other regions. By leveraging this network, the program can expand its impact and benefit a larger number of students and educators across Michigan.

 

Talent Solutions

The MEDC created its Talent Solutions division in 2023 to lead the largest state talent attraction and retention initiative in the United States.

Talent Solutions is the MEDC’s bold strategy designed to develop and deliver talent specific to Michigan's new, tech-forward economy in areas where the state has the most opportunity to grow advanced manufacturing – areas like electric vehicles, mobility, semiconductors, aerospace and defense.

Plans call for the MEDC’s Talent Action Team to expand its focus to other tech-driven, future-economy industries and strive to position Michigan as second to none for top talent and investment for businesses and career opportunities for young people, boost the state’s population and create communities where generations will thrive.

The MEDC’s consortium of EV/mobility and semiconductors partners includes more than 20 major employers (such as Calumet Electronics) and national industry groups, 17 higher education partners and workforce and PK-12 leaders across Michigan.

Beyond issuing more than $30 million in higher education grants since it launched last year, the MEDC has also:

• Connected and trained more than 4,100 people directly into good-paying, high-tech roles with leading Michigan employers.
• Created cohorts for skills building and networking that 1,100 students at universities are leveraging to connect to Michigan’s strategic industries and employers.
• Expanded the state’s STEAM Ahead internship program, incentivizing employers to create and expand internship opportunities; more than 1,500 students have benefited from these internship experiences this year.
• Awarded 350-plus scholarships for students and graduates to stay in state for internship and postgraduate employment as part of the nationally acclaimed Michigander Scholars program.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.