As the semiconductor industry continues to evolve, successful workforce development initiatives are becoming increasingly essential. In Malaysia, around 60,000 new engineers are needed to support the country’s plans for industry growth. However, despite the rising need for new engineering talent, student interest for STEM in Malaysia is declining. Women in particular, are even less likely to consider careers in engineering fields than their male counterparts, and this holds true worldwide. One reason is due to gender biases that form around STEM in early childhood. The Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology found that boys are more likely to consider themselves “good” at STEM, and this stereotype is later reinforced by male dominance within STEM classes. To mitigate the talent shortage, and to encourage more young women to consider STEM careers, STMicroelectronics created its "STEM your way" initiative. This program supports STEM education throughout Malaysia, as well as all other countries that STMicroelectronics operates in. Through STEM your way, STMicroelectronics shares its passion for science and electronics with today’s primary and high school students. Over the last three years, STEM your way has reached nearly 70,000 students globally. To address the STEM gender disparity in Malaysia, SEMI Southeast Asia (SEA) has been proudly collaborating with STMicroelectronics since 2023 on its ST Maur GEMS program, as part of STEM your way. The girls in engineering, mathematics, and science (GEMS) program is foundational for developing future engineering talent and sparking STEM interest among female students. One of SEMI SEA’s first GEMS program initiatives was a “train-the-trainers” session, where SEMI SEA representatives shared creative approaches for teaching STEM-focused course material. This involved the use of Circuit Scribe and Micro:bit Smart Science IoT kits to make lessons tactile, engaging, and memorable. These interactive teaching aids form the basis of a “STEM kit,” and as of today, SEMI SEA and STMicroelectronics have sponsored roughly 200 kits. These efforts culminated in December 2024 during the GEMS IoT Challenge at Universiti Technikal Malaysia Melaka, where 68 students from 17 primary schools showcased their innovative projects. Students demonstrated their technical knowledge and creativity by coupling Micro:bit IoT kits with AI cameras, Wi-Fi modules, servomotors, and more, with the intention of solving day-to-day problems. Posters of students’ solutions at the IoT ChallengeWith the collaborative success of the ST Maur GEMS program, SEMI SEA is excited to help scale the challenge to include additional countries. To partner with SEMI SEA to bring STEM education opportunities to Southeast Asia, please contact Cecelia Fong at [email protected]. SEMI Southeast Asia ContactCecelia Fong, Technology Programs ManagerEmail: [email protected]
