SEMI High Tech U kicks off 10th year with NYSUT

LATHAM, N.Y. Aug. 21, 2017 — Dozens of Capital District STEM educators will become students this week as they take part in a two-day program that provides industry-led, hands-on activities and curriculum focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

SEMI High Tech U will be held at New York State United Teachers headquarters Tuesday and Wednesday and will also include a tour of SUNY’s Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering for an up-close look at how relevant STEM skills are utilized in a high-tech workplace. The High Tech U curriculum — which features instruction from industry professionals — is designed to be brought back to local classrooms this fall.

This week’s program marks the 10th anniversary of the partnership between NYSUT and the SEMI Foundation. More than 600 New York State educators have taken part since 2007; nearly 40 teachers will participate this week.

“This has been an incredibly fruitful partnership,” said NYSUT President Andrew Pallotta. “Teachers never stop learning and NYSUT is proud to offer this well-regarded, proven professional development opportunity to so many of our members.”

The 10-year anniversary will be celebrated at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday with a reception at NYSUT recognizing industry instructors from Applied Materials, KLA-Tencor and Global Foundries, supporters of the program this year.

“For a decade, the SEMI Foundation and NYSUT have teamed up to help ensure that many of our members receive the most cutting-edge instruction from industry professionals,” said union Executive Vice President Jolene T. DiBrango. “And the best part is that their students are the beneficiaries.”

New York State United Teachers is a statewide union with more than 600,000 members in education, human services and health care. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.