Project Grant 2415749

This National Science Foundation (NSF) Project Grant award under the STEM Education (CFDA 47.076) program provides $497,905 to the University of Florida (UF) Division of Sponsored Research to design and develop Virtual Reality (VR) training modules for microelectronics physical assurance, inspection, and metrology education. The project, titled "VR MIPA", aims to create interactive 3D graphics and simulations in VR to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes in this critical field supporting the integrity and security of the global electronic component supply chain. The VR training will be integrated into an existing microelectronics course at UF, and the project will conduct comparative studies to assess the efficacy of the VR-based training approach. Dissemination efforts will extend the VR training to professional trainees and K-12 educators through web-based platforms and industry conferences. This award, co-funded by the NSF Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE: EDU) and Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) programs, aims to advance the fields of human-computer interaction, educational technology, and microelectronics assurance.