Local High School Students Set to Participate In Next SEMI(R) High-Tech Workforce 'Chip Camp'; Ultratech Stepper and Intel to Host Second Workforce Development Institute in Silicon Valley.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- SAN JOSE, Calif., May 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Local high school students from Silicon Valley have been selected to participate in the next Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) Workforce Development Institute "Chip Camp," scheduled for May 27-30 in San Jose and Santa Clara. The industry-sponsored education program will be hosted by Ultratech Stepper, Inc., and Intel Corp.

The SEMI Workforce Development Institute (WDI) is an interactive, educational program designed to excite high school students about science and math and expose students to potential career opportunities in high-tech industry. Volunteers from industry, local schools and universities serve as the instructors and team leaders, guiding students through their lessons and offering practical advice and support on education and career development.

Each four-day "Chip Camp" explores the science and business of making semiconductors, exposing students to the technology and processes that enable the creation of the chips that power virtually every electronic device made today. In addition to hands-on experiments and technical coursework, students receive academic and career guidance, including practice job interviews. Students will also tour San Jose State University and experience hands-on manufacturing in the campus engineering fab.

"Given the current budget crises facing schools in California and across the nation, it is more important than ever for industry to step up and support educational initiatives," said Stanley Myers, president and CEO of SEMI. "The students participating in this program represent the future of our industry and the future of the valley. No matter what career path they ultimately choose, the important thing is to get them excited about the possibilities available to them and teach them what they need to do to realize their potential."

Since the first "Chip Camp" was held in 2001, nearly 300 students across the United States and more than 50 high school teachers have participated in the program. This month's program at Ultratech Stepper and Intel is the second to be held in Silicon Valley. Six additional high school-level "Chip Camps" will be held this year in the United States as well as a teachers' institute to be held this summer in Arizona.

Each institute is hosted by local semiconductor industry sponsors. San Jose-based semiconductor equipment manufacturer Ultratech Stepper and Santa Clara's Intel Corporation are co-hosting this month's institute.

"We believe it is important to support the development of our future leaders. Ultratech joins the WDI's efforts to ignite the Bay Area's young minds and imaginations with today's technology and tomorrow's opportunities," noted Arthur W. Zafiropoulo, chairman and CEO of Ultratech Stepper, and chairman of the SEMI Board of Directors.

Reporters and the media are invited to attend the program. For an agenda and additional information about the SEMI Workforce Development Institute, contact Michael Droeger, SEMI, at 408.943.6953 or mdroeger@semi.org

About SEMI: Based in San Jose, Calif., SEMI is an international industry association serving more than 2,500 companies participating in the semiconductor and flat panel display equipment and materials markets. SEMI maintains offices in Austin, Beijing, Brussels, Hsinchu, Moscow, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit SEMI on the Internet at http://www.semi.org/

About Ultratech: Founded in 1979, Ultratech Stepper, Inc. designs, manufactures and markets photolithography equipment used worldwide in the fabrication of semiconductor and nanotechnology devices. The company produces products designed to substantially reduce the cost of ownership for manufacturers in the electronics industry. Ultratech is the market leader in gold and solder bump lithography, and 300 mm wafer-level chip scale packaging (WLCSP). The company's home page on the World Wide Web is located at http://www.ultratech.com/

CONTACT: Michael Droeger of SEMI, +1-408-943-6953 or mdroeger@semi.org; or Angie Kellen of MCA, +1-650-968-8900 or akellen@mcapr.com

Web site: http://www.ultratech.com/

Web site: http://www.semi.org/