Members of the Rotary Club of Sun Lakes (RCSL) recently gathered at Chandler Unified School District’s (CUSD) Hamilton High School to gain insight into the district’s groundbreaking Semiconductor Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program.
Program Overview
The meeting began with RCSL Club President Ed Anderson introducing fellow Rotarian Janet Hartkopf, who serves as CUSD’s Emerging Technologies Coordinator and Cyber Security Program Director. Janet provided an in-depth overview of the CUSD Semiconductor CTE Program, which holds the distinction of being the first semiconductor program established in a public U.S. high school.
Program Development and Partnerships
Janet played a pivotal role in the creation and development of the program, notably building a 25-member business advisory board and designing the curriculum. During her presentation, she discussed the program’s history, the importance of business and academic partnerships, and the program’s state-of-the-art $1 million laboratory center.
Student Opportunities and Achievements
She also highlighted various aspects of the program, including specialized camps, a diverse curriculum, and the emphasis on student diversity. Janet further shared her experience attending SEMICON Asia in New Taipei City, Taiwan, regarded as the premier industry event in the region. She participated as part of a 55-member Arizona academic and business delegation, underscoring the program’s connectivity to global industry developments.
