MicroSpark 2025 ignites innovation in microelectronics education
ASU Preparatory Academy empowers educators to spark the next generation of STEM talent
Arizona is at the center of a global microelectronics boom, and ASU Preparatory Academy is making sure students across the state are ready to be part of it.
This fall, ASU Prep hosted MicroSpark 2025, a first-of-its-kind professional development and conference experience designed to help K–12 teachers integrate microelectronics and semiconductor concepts into their classrooms.
The two-day event brought together 87 participants, including 65 K–12 teachers and youth-serving professionals, from more than 20 Arizona school districts to learn, experiment and reimagine how STEM can come alive for students.
“Our goal is creating awareness and pathways toward this industry,” said Rachna Mathur, Senior STEM Strategist for ASU Preparatory Academy. “We want Arizona’s students, families and educators to know about these opportunities and have access to the many jobs connected to microelectronics.”
Bridging education and industry
MicroSpark combined the hands-on learning of a workshop with the energy of a full-scale conference. Teachers explored keynotes, industry panels and a VIP tour of ASU’s new School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks, a leading engineering hub shaping the future of advanced manufacturing education.
The event was made possible through partnerships and sponsorships from SEMI Foundation, SHIELD USA, Southwest Advanced Prototyping (SWAP) Hub at ASU and the ASU Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.
Together, these partners share a mission: to strengthen Arizona’s K–12 STEM pipeline and prepare students for high-demand technology careers.
“This was a very unique offering,” Mathur explained. “Teachers weren’t just learning new concepts—they were experiencing the industry from every angle.”
Hands-on workshops spark curiosity and creativity
At the heart of MicroSpark 2025 were interactive, hands-on workshops that turned complex STEM ideas into tangible, classroom-ready activities.
Educators experimented with:
- Micro:bit® coding and circuit design, led by the SEMI Foundation
- Squishy Circuits®, where PLAY-DOH® conducts electricity
- Chibitronics® paper circuits, using conductive tape and LEDs
- Custom LEGO® lithography kits, designed exclusively for MicroSpark by Alec Post, global master LEGO® builder and YouTuber
“Alec created an activity and kit that teachers walked away with,” Mathur said. “It really inspired them to see how you could teach these complex concepts using tools kids already love, like Legos.”
These workshops connected playful, hands-on experimentation to real-world semiconductor concepts like coding, design and manufacturing.
What really excited educators was realizing these lessons aren’t just tied to this industry. They can extend to music, art, business and other subjects, showing how STEM thinking connects across disciplines.”
Inspiring all educators—not just STEM teachers
MicroSpark welcomed teachers from a variety of disciplines, including English, history and the arts.
Some participants discovered how micro:bit® could be programmed to create sound patterns for music lessons or interactive art projects, including a Styrofoam guitar that played music, blending creativity with coding.
“It changed the perspective of teachers who thought this was only for STEM,” Mathur said. “We showed that there are so many ways to connect microelectronics to any subject.”
That inclusivity mirrors the event’s broader goal: to open doors to technical and non-technical careers within Arizona’s booming semiconductor and advanced manufacturing sectors—from engineering and design to business, marketing and project management.
“We watched teachers experience that same joy of critical thinking and problem-solving that we see in students,” Mathur shared. “When something finally works after trial and error, that spark of discovery is what STEM education is all about.”
If each teacher brings even one element of MicroSpark back to their classroom, the potential reach could exceed 14,000 Arizona students in a single school year.”
Bring innovative learning and STEM programs to your school
Explore online training courses and individual, student-ready STEM lessons from ASU Prep Global. Our programs are flexible, designed to fit your goals and timeline for high-impact learning without added lift.
ASU Prep Global offers:
- A catalog of training options for educators, including customizable online or in-person professional development from trusted experts in education.
- Individual courses and online instruction with highly qualified Global Academy teachers who deliver remote learning and courses that can be challenging for schools to staff.
- Partnership opportunities that empower educators, students and school communities.
Let’s connect to discuss models, products and how we can help.
Building Arizona’s future workforce—one spark at a time
MicroSpark 2025 reflects ASU Prep’s commitment to education innovation and real-world learning. By uniting educators, researchers and industry partners, ASU Prep is helping to build a more informed, inspired and future-ready generation.
As Mathur wrote on LinkedIn: “Together, we’re building Arizona’s future workforce—one spark at a time.”
Partner with ASU Prep to spark what’s possible
MicroSpark began as an internal initiative at ASU Prep, expanded to teachers across Arizona and is now poised to reach educators and students nationwide.
“We want to continue and expand the conference to reach as many people as possible,” Mathur said.
Interested in hosting MicroSpark in your region?
Contact globalacademy@asuprep.org.
