Active Learning in Microelectronics and Cybersecurity for Our Community
Opportunities for Students, Parents, and Teachers
The University of Delaware’s Center for Cybersecurity, Assurance, & Privacy (CCAP) is launching a new initiative funded by the NSF CyberCorps grant to engage students, young adults, and families in microelectronics and cybersecurity through hands-on learning. Starting this spring, we will host Microelectronics Week and five Community Science Days on Saturdays (at no cost), each exploring themes in engineering, technology, and microelectronics. These events will take place at the University of Delaware’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, featuring state-of-the-art facilities like the iSuite Maker Space and Cyber Range.
In addition to these informal experiences, we’re offering a week-long program to Delaware teachers to explore microelectronics through hands-on projects, lectures, and collaboration. It equips educators with the knowledge and tools to create instructional materials, such as microelectronic kits, for classroom integration. Participants will work with expert faculty and advanced facilities to deepen their understanding of this crucial field. Funded by the CHIPS and Science Act, the program includes a $2K stipend for 20 teachers, supporting their role in enhancing STEM education.
Microelectronics Week (for Students)
(July 28 – August 1, 2025)
- Day 1: Introduction to Microelectronics
- Day 2: Fundamental Electronic Components
- Day 3: Voltage Regulation and MOSFETs
- Day 4: Microcontrollers and Microprocessors
- Day 5: Cyberphysical Systems
Microelectronics Community Science Days (for Students and their Parents/Guardians)
(Select Saturdays between March 22 – May 10, 2025)
We will offer 5 community science days on Saturdays and engage 12 high school students/young adults (plus one adult family member for each). Each day will include about 3 hours of educational activities and regular breaks.
- March 22: Motor Day
- April 5: Nano Drone Day
- April 19: MEMS Day
- May 3: Robot Vision Day
- May 10: Self-Driving Car Day
Microelectronics Security Competition (for Students)
The hardware security competition focuses on side channels. The competition will have 2 tracks: (a) basic side-channel attacks to embedded devices using ChipWhisperer (5 teams of college students) and (b) basic side-channel attacks to cyberphysical systems (5 teams of high school students). Each team consists of up to four participants and will receive a chipwhisperer nano or an arduino-based PCB developed by UD. The competition will last 5 weeks during Summer 2025 (one new challenge will be released each week for each track). Dates to be determined.
Microelectronics Week for High School Teachers
(July 14 – July 18, 2025)
Microelectronics Week for Teachers offers Delaware teachers a unique, week-long opportunity to explore microelectronics through hands-on projects, lectures, and collaboration. It equips educators with the knowledge and tools to create instructional materials, such as microelectronic kits, for classroom integration. Participants will work with expert faculty and advanced facilities to deepen their understanding of this crucial field. Funded by the CHIPS and Science Act, the program includes a $2K stipend for 20 teachers, supporting their role in enhancing STEM education.
- Day 1: The theme of the day is an introduction to microelectronics.
- Day 2: The second day’s theme is microelectronic circuits to drive electric motors.
- Day 3: Building on the training of the first two days, day three will focus on Microcontrollers.
- Day 4: The focus will be on learning how MEMS systems work, emphasizing sensors.
- Day 5: The last day will focus on the security of microelectronics, emphasizing side channels.
Space is limited, apply Today!
Feel free to download the brochure which highlights all of these programs.
Questions regarding our Spring and Summer Outreach programs? Contact the University of Delaware’s Center for Cybersecurity, Assurance and Privacy, or Email: cybersecurity-info@udel.edu