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Collette MacAllister – Chemistry Teacher
Having worked in the semiconductor industry for 18 years prior to joining the teaching profession, I was keen to share my experiences not only with my own pupils but with fellow teachers and pupils out with my own classes. When chatting to two of the Physics teachers they mentioned that semiconductors was a topic within the Higher Physics course and asked if I would mind sharing my experience in this industry with their pupils and with them.
In the classroom the pupils learn about the device Physics (specifically n-channel enhanced MOSFET ) whereas my experience was in the manufacturing of many integrated circuit devices. I aimed to complement the theory taught in the class room to make this microscopic topic tangible and allow the pupils to see its real life application.
The pupils were keen to hear about the extensive travelling around the world that this line in work had taken me : from the UK, through mainland Europe ( France, Austria, Germany, Luxembourg to name but a few), through the US (from Washington State to Arizona) to Asia.
I was eager that the pupils experience as closely as possible to what it was like to work in the clean room and to be geared up in bunny suits so I called in a few favours from ex-colleagues who provided me with the clean room gear and additional hardware to allow me to bring the learning alive in a ‘hands on’ workshop style session.
The pupils responded enthusiastically to this experience and were grateful to see how they could ultimately apply the knowledge that they were learning in the classroom. Some were a little surprised at the many opportunities that a background in Science can offer and the interdisciplinary aspect to the job. They were keen to discuss further and hear more….
As the teachers had spent the majority of their career in education they also thanked me for this CPD opportunity by opening their eyes to the industrial application of semi conductors.
The aim now is to embed this into the Higher Physics course and to extend it to Advanced Higher Chemistry.
This was an excellent experience for both myself and my pupils. It was great to see pupils so enthusiastic about the careers that an education in the sciences can offer. Can I book my slot for this year please?!