Just last week, Intel and Micron Technology announced plans to unveil its 3D NAND technology sometime in the first half of 2015. The 3D NAND technology is a big leap for storage tech to be used in data centers, tablets, laptops and mobile phones. Consumers have been demanding faster storage technology, and 3D NAND technology is the proposed solution.
Texas Instruments and Sanford Research have partnered to create new activities for parents and teachers. They hope to encourage students to explore the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Called “STEM Behind Health,” the new activities were developed by medical experts and researchers within and outside of TI. They are now available online at www.STEMBehindHealth.com.
Kids often lose their drive to study math and science because they don’t see how they would apply the learning. Has your kid ever asked you why they need to study algebra or biology? You may remember asking those questions yourself. It’s often difficult to give concrete examples of the real-world reasons to study these subjects. STEM Behind Health activities aim to get kids engaged in the subjects through real life examples.
For instance, STEM Behind Health shows examples of how biologists are working to find a cure for cancer. This real-world application gives students a context for their studies. The activities are accessible from any device that supports the TI-Nspire platform, including TI calculators and the Nspire app for iPad.
Middle and high school students and teachers looking for a challenging and interesting activity should check out “Managing a Critical Ratio.” In this activity, students learn about why insulin replacement is necessary for diabetes patients. While doing this, they'll get to explore the intersection of math and science disciplines.
Many experts project a shortage of STEM professionals for the near future. That is why TI and Sanford Health are taking a proactive approach to try to solve this issue. They’re trying to plant the seeds, nurture interest, and guide students to consider a future in STEM careers.
“From nurses and doctors to technicians and therapists, a solid understanding of math and science is critical in improving the well-being of all people. Together with TI, we are committed to getting students interested in STEM subjects and filling the pipeline for future careers in medicine,” said Dave Pearce, president of Sanford Research.
This program will please parents and teachers alike by providing engaging educational activities. Students will feel empowered by seeing real-world applications for what they’re learning in their textbooks. When students understand the challenges the world faces, they may feel inspired to continue their STEM studies. With STEM Behind Health, TI and Sanford Research aim to help students develop interest in finding innovative solutions to these big problems in the future.
Job demands for electrical engineers have always been— for the most part— pretty stable. Recent grads and veterans are often given well-paid positions if they manage to land the jobs they’re seeking. Jobs in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) sectors are usually reserved for highly trained individuals.
We are already the three weeks into the New Year. We believe that 2015 is going to be a fabulous year. Talent 101 finished 2014 with a hot market for qualified talent and we have seen many requirements for contract and full time hires in the first month of 2015. This is both an opportunity and a challenge.
It’s been another great year for the semiconductor industry. While 2014 hasn’t fully come to a close yet, the WSTS (World Semiconductor Trade Statistics) has forecasted that by the end of this month, the industry will have grown a full 9% over 2013, up to a $333 billion industry. Next year, the industry is expected to continue to grow to $345 billion, and by 2016, $355 billion.
While WSTS forecasts that the consumer and computer sectors of the semiconductor industry will remain flat at 2014 levels in 2015, they predict significant growth in the automotive and communications applications of semiconductor technology. The growth in the automotive sector has been supported by innovations like Texas Instruments’digital light processing (DLP) technology, automotive solutions for car consoles, and by inspiring visions of the car of the future by Freescale and partnering car manufacturers.
To compete in the tech world today, businesses must embrace creativity and innovation at every level. Tech businesses often emphasize the importance of employees possessing the right knowledge and experience, which matters. But to really set your work apart in the industry, creativity and innovation should be the business of everyone in your organization, from the highest senior executive to the lowest employee on the organizational chart. Making creativity a priority business value will both help you stay competitive and fulfill your mission in society.
This morning I had an experience most of you probably find familiar. As I turned on my car, a couple of lights came on to let me know my car needed service. With the help of the car's internal technology, I was alerted that my car needed a “C” scheduled service, the brakes needed attention, and my tires needed more air to accommodate the coming cold weather. I made an appointment with my mechanic and then started to wonder how his job's changed in recent years and how it stands to change even more as auto technology evolves over the next few years.
Our work at Talent 101 has given us a glimpse into some of the changes to come. We've had the good fortune to work with companies in the automotive industry to provide development and testing services for the semiconductor technology they use.
Last week when meeting with a promising lead, several of Talent 101's representatives encountered a memorable moment. We were one of a number of vendors meeting with this potential client, so we took some time for the usual networking and introductions before the presentation started. An executive of one of the attending vendors offered up this explanation of what his company does: "We peddle IT and engineering staffing.” I hadn't heard that phrase in years.
When we returned to the office and discussed our experience that day, I learned that we all had noticed the “peddling” remark. It stood out. It made us recall the old days when many of us saw what we did as “peddling staffing.”
