Engineering Teacher James Higdon ‘10 Attends Prestigious SCALE K-12 Summit at Purdue University

January 16, 2025

This past July, Mr. James Higdon ‘10, Brother Rice engineering teacher, was invited by Dr. Richard Hill, Assistant Dean of Engineering at the University of Detroit Mercy, to attend the prestigious SCALE K-12 summit at Purdue University.

The SCALE K-12 initiative (www.scalek12.org), funded by the Department of Defense through the CHIPS Act, is dedicated to increasing high school engagement in careers in Microelectronics Engineering. Its primary goal is to inspire high school students to pursue engineering careers, particularly those tied to the manufacturing of microchips in the United States.

As part of the week-long summer seminar at Purdue, Mr. Higdon collaborated with other educators to develop lesson plans that incorporate microcontroller concepts into their respective subject areas. Notably, he is credited as one of the authors of the innovative “Rolling the Dice” unit.

Purdue University provides ongoing support to educators like Mr. Higdon by helping implement these lesson plans in classrooms and tracking student learning outcomes. Ultimately, the lessons are refined and released as standalone resources for teachers nationwide.

New Concepts Coming to Brother Rice’s Engineering Curriculum

Through his participation in the SCALE K-12 summit, Mr. Higdon will introduce exciting new concepts and hands-on experiences to his students, including:

  • Micro:Bits: Small, user-friendly computers that teach basic electronics without requiring extensive coding knowledge.
  • LED Wiring: Lessons on basic circuitry concepts, presented in a scalable and accessible format.
  • Circuit Board Design and Fabrication: Students will use the same software employed by Purdue University students to map out electronic pathways on circuit boards.
  • CNC Mill: A CNC mill, provided to Mr. Higdon at no cost, will give students hands-on experience with advanced manufacturing technology, typically reserved for Robotics teams or Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.

A Brighter Future for Engineering Students

This remarkable opportunity highlights Mr. Higdon’s dedication to providing cutting-edge learning experiences for his students. The new additions to the curriculum will not only enhance their technical skills but also expose them to real-world engineering applications, paving the way for future success.