Thirty students bounded off a bus and into the halls of our main campus in Dallas with excitement, and a bit of trepidation. They were invited to celebrate innovation while learning about engineering. Oftentimes, students and educators hear that science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education is important. But the struggle is helping make the concept of engineering real for students in their science and math classes. That’s where we helped bring engineering to a classroom – in real time.
During our second annual Jack Kilby Day– a day when we celebrate innovation and honor a former TIer who invented the integrated circuit – we extended our employee celebration to inspire the next generation of engineers. Eight of our bright engineers served as mentors for the day to these middle school students from DeSoto, a suburb near Dallas. Jill Burrows, digital marketing business manager and former DeSoto school district graduate, welcomed the students, encouraging them to see how, with perseverance and creativity, these students could be the next Jack Kilby.
“I was so excited to be a part of the day and share my journey to engineering with these kids,” Jill said. “I went through the entire DeSoto school district and majored in software engineering in college.”
After watching a brief video on the history of Jack Kilby and his role in shaping today’s modern electronics, the students teamed up and completed a worksheet naming 10 electronic products they would not have today without the invention of the integrated circuit. They also brainstormed big ideas of what they might invent and how it could change the world.
Eighth grader Jevonta Stokes’ idea could revolutionize clothing – and comfort.
“I would invent smart clothing with heating and cooling to keep people comfortable,” he said. “They wouldn’t even need coats.”
Microcontroller engineer Adrian Fernandez explained the concept of the microchip – a miniature computer – and how programming microcontrollers with code can make a variety of everyday objects smarter. Toys, clothing, cars, phones and so much more can become smarter and more interactive with these microchips and computer code.
Then the part the students had been waiting for: hands-on programming of a microchip on TI MCU LaunchPad™ development kits, a development circuit board with microchips. With TI mentors Adrian, Jill, Rachel Moore, Mark Easley, Will Goh, Daniel Ogilvie, Walter Schnoor, Chris Roberts and Joseph Yehle, the students in their small groups walked through the computer coding steps to light up the LED on the LaunchPads.
The students were captivated by the day, and their teachers and school district leadership were impressed with the entire experience.
“This experience can be life changing for these students,” said Dr. JoAnn Green-Rucker, assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and high schools at DeSoto ISD. “You never know what will pique their interest in becoming an engineer."
Whether it’s blinking a light on a LaunchPad or dreaming up the future of fashion, the experience for Jovanta and his fellow students showed the possibilities for those who focus on STEM studies.
“I never thought I would have come this far or done this much in middle school,” Jovanta said.
To see the students in action, watch this story from WFAA-TV in Dallas, click here.
If you’d like to do the lesson and engineering activity with your class, click here.