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24 SMT007 MAGAZINE I MAY 2026 a next-level approach to experiential learning," he said. "It's a lot of fun but also technically advanced, in order to challenge younger kids." The series is specifically designed to support workforce development in electronics and semi- conductors by bridging the gap between imagina- tive storytelling and real-world science. Jace Krasselt, a teacher at Copper Island Acad- emy, attended the event along with his students. "The entire experience was a learning adventure," he said. "It gave them confidence and helped make their science learning come alive in a whole new way. Several students told me it was the cool- est thing they'd ever done." Licavoli-Wall earned his B.S. and Ph.D. in Materi- als Science and Engineering from MTU in 2006 and 2013. He wears a lot of hats these days, serv- ing as chief metallurgist at Völundr Scientific, sub- ject matter expert at Verdigris Group, and research scientist at Michigan Tech. Past positions include stints at Daimler Chrysler CIE, Sandvik Hard Ma- terials, Alcoa Howmet, and the National Energy Technology Laboratory. He has also written for The Why Files, an entertaining, well-researched, and skeptical look into paranormal, UFO, and con- spiracy theories, with over 5 million subscribers on YouTube. Joining the fourth graders on campus just before Thanksgiving, Licavoli-Wall got to see his creative vision come to life for the very first time. Like a Dream Come True Licavoli-Wall walked into the Plexus Lab maker- space before the lunch break just in time to see ECE undergraduate and graduate students help the fourth graders adjust the volume level on their morse code boards. "It was almost like watching past and future versions of the students, together in the same room, and everyone was having a blast," he said. "I loved the ludicrous levels of excitement during the mineral museum scaven- ger hunts. I loved watching the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) demonstrations and seeing the students operate advanced equipment that I didn't learn about until I was in college. He continued, "Several kids walked around with their morse code beeper devices. One student even opened it up and pretended to time travel. It seemed like the stories and demos were really coming together for the students, enhancing their learning experience." MTU Professors John Jasczak (Physics) and Smitha Rao Hatti (Biomedical Engineering) were Each young student received a Stories & Semicon- ductors balsa wood "book" containing a morse code device—one they would learn to create themselves. Five young students embark on a time-traveling ad- venture while chasing a meddlesome AI transformed into a cat. They'll learn from engineers and scientists, visit local landmarks, technology companies, and build devices to help them catch the cat before it destabi- lizes the future. Their adventures help prepare them to build a better world.