SUPER MONDAY

A motivational and informational morning message from Superintendent Willis

Week 23 ~ January 27th, 2025

Super Monday Message

Every digital device has a microchip, even your Airpods. Small pieces of silicon the size of a fingernail that contain billions of transistors. Microchip manufacturing is one of the most intricate and precision-driven processes in the modern world. It has been described as an art as much as it is a science and many of the biggest tech companies haven’t attempted manufacturing their own microchips. Every step in the creation of these tiny technological marvels demands extraordinary attention to detail, as even the smallest imperfection can compromise their performance.

The process begins with the most pure silicon wafer, derived from flawless quartz sand, which is refined and shaped into a thin mirror-like disc. These wafers serve as the canvas for the intricate circuitry of the microchip. Using ultraviolet lights and carefully crafted masks, microscopic patterns are etched onto the wafer's surface. Each line, no wider than a fraction of a human hair, must be perfectly aligned, as these patterns form the pathways that guide electrical signals within the chip.

Computers speak using either a “0” or a “1”. A “0” is used when the power to a transistor is off, a “1” when the power is on. Combinations of 0s and 1s have different meanings for a computer to display. For example, everytime you type “Piute” on a digital device, the microchip is processing this, “01010000 01101001 01110101 01110100 01100101”. 19 transistors turned on and then went off. Your typical iPhone screen will have over two million little light pixels on the display. For just one of those pixels to turn Piute Blue, 24 transistors have to be used and make this combination, “00000000 11111111 11111111”. Now imagine over a billion of those transistors that can all turn off and on more than one billion times in a single second. This level of precision requires advanced tools, such as electron beam microscopes and atomic-level fabrication techniques, which operate at the frontier of human capability.

Microchips are etched, polished, and tested repeatedly. Each step is performed in cleanroom environments, where the air is 1,000 times cleaner than a hospital operating room. A single speck of dust could ruin the entire chip, underscoring the importance of absolute control and meticulous attention.

Microchip manufacturing is a testament to the incredible feats we can achieve when precision and dedication guide our efforts. It reminds us that attention to detail is not just a skill—it is the foundation of innovation. Every day we all benefit from the step by step precision engineering of others. Our day to day work may not include a science lab 1,000 times cleaner than an operating room, but we all seek to be the best we can be at our craft. We can help inspire the world with focused attention to improving every day. Have the best week 23.

Super High Fives

Just a couple of the awesome recent accomplishments that need a big thank you. 

• A super high five to Mrs. Aleia Nay on being named the 2025 Utah Art Teacher of the Year. Aleia is a leader in Art education in Utah and we’re excited to see her receive this recognition. Aleia will be recognized at the Utah Art Education Association conference next weekend in Orem. 
• A super high five to the state champion cheerleaders. Last Wednesday the Piute High School Cheer team defended their title as State Champions. Big thank you to everyone involved in supporting the team. Back To Back Champions!
• Super high five to everyone that assisted in hosting divisional wrestles on Saturday. We have great parents and great community support.

Other Super Information

• School District Mission Statement & Slogan Survey
• Latest Elementary Schools Design Draft
• Circleville Elementary School Virtual Walkthrough (Draft)
• Winter Sports Calendar
• 2024-2025 School District Calendar

Super Weekly Schedule