ChipQuest: Gamifying the Semiconductor Manufacturing Process to Inspire Future Workforce

Semiconductor manufacturing is crucial for national economies; however, the industry faces significant talent shortages. While extensive research exists on motivating students in STEM learning, there is little work specifically addressing semiconductor education. To fill this gap, we first examined current barriers and motivational factors influencing students’ pursuit of careers in semiconductor fields through interviews with 13 participants. Findings reveal that limited recognition of semiconductor companies relative to software engineering poses a barrier, while early exposure to the field and hands-on experience emerge as pivotal factors motivating prospective students. Drawing upon these insights, we introduce ChipQuest, an educational game designed to enhance K-12 students’ engagement and interest in semiconductors. ChipQuest integrates gamification elements to simulate the complexities of semiconductor chip manufacturing, featuring a pedagogical agent, interactive tasks, a reward system, and competitive components. By incorporating gaming principles into semiconductor education, ChipQuest aims to offer a promising approach to inspire young students as the future workforce in the semiconductor industry.