Preparing Technicians for the Future of Work is pleased to bring you news and resources in collaboration with the NSF Advanced Technology Education (ATE) community and industry partners. We hope that this content will be useful in this time of substantial educational change. For more information about our project, please visit
preparingtechnicians.org.
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HI-TEC 2020 Transformed - Registration Open
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Don't miss the
HI-TEC Transformed
conference July 29 and 30! Due to COVID-19 travel and gathering restrictions, HI-TEC 2020 will be held remotely as an online event with both live-streaming and asynchronous presentations. The event will be free to attend (courtesy of the National Science Foundation) but
registration is required.
The two-day virtual conference will feature two
keynotes
, three panel presentations, and a variety of speakers with expert commentary on
the future of work, hiring trends, and other timely topics related to preparing America's skilled technical workforce.
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Spotlight on the NSF ATE Community
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Newest NSF ATE Center Focuses on the Future in Micro Nano Technology Education
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Microsystems and nanosystems technologies are becoming, if not already, pervasive throughout the daily human experience. The internet of things is expected to support a trillion micro-nano devices. Examples of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) include pressure sensors, microphones, accelerometers, time-keeping devices, photonic devices, and medical instrumentation. The growth and convergence of these technologies will expand for the foreseeable future as the miniaturization and integration processes continue. With this growth comes the need for a hi-tech workforce, and that workforce requires an education that keep pace with rapidly advancing technologies.
Read more.
Jared Ashcroft,
PI
, Center Director, MNT-EC, Pasadena Community College, CA
Billie Copley, Nano-Link Center for Nanotechnology Education
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NSF Grants Put Lane Community
College Programs Ahead of the Curve
Technical careers require hands-on educational experiences and with an online curriculum the challenge is to provide students with that experiential component. In the past decade with funding through two NSF ATE grants, Lane Community College (LCC) transitioned its traditional classroom Energy Management program into an online instructional program with hands-on lab experiences available. The Independent Learner Energy Education Design project provides instruction in LCC’s online Energy Management (Building Controls Option) program coupled with fieldwork facilitated by regional power utility mentors. Of particular interest, however, in this time when classrooms are going virtual to meet the needs of social distancing, is their transformed Water Conservation Technician (WCT) program, which has been moved to a completely online instructional environment.
Brenda Cervantes,
Project Specialist
Water & Energy Programs, Lane Community College, Eugene, OR
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2020 - 2021 ATE Impacts
Now Available
The much-anticipated
2020-2021 ATE Impacts
book
showcasing the innovative and critical work of the NSF ATE community
is now available. In light of
COVID-19 related challenges affecting printing and distribution,
ATE Central has released online
flipbook
and easily shareable
PDF
versions
viewable across all devices via any web browser. Please
feel free to download and distribute them.
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Project Vision Initiative Surveys NSF-ATE Community Colleges
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Project Vision is conducting a survey o
f faculty, administrators, presidents, and boards of trustees at community colleges to better understand trends and applicants' experience in the NSF ATE funding process.
Responses will also be used to assess the fit between respondents' college and Project Vision, NSF ATE, and other NSF DUE funding opportunities. Those completing this 10 minute survey will receive the study's findings and Project Vision's compatibility assessment.
Project Vision is a collaborative initiative with community colleges that enables the nation's two-year institutions to grow National Science Foundation (NSF) Advanced Technological Education (ATE) funded STEM grant capabilities. To access and take the survey,
click the survey link here
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Kevin Cooper,
PI, Project Vision (National Science Foundation, DUE 2018198)
Dean, Advanced Technology
Indian River State College
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The ABCs of I4.0: What Technicians Need to
Know about Incoming Technologies
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New technologies are emerging that are, or soon will be, a part of a technician’s day-to-day routine in manufacturing plants. One sweeping trend is that most of the new technologies are related to data—the ”fuel” that is driving processes. With improved data, we can make better decisions, so technicians need to be aware of how and why data is gathered, how data flows and what to do with it. Adoption of new technologies will vary according to the type and size of industry, of course, and the cost of equipment and training, but here are some that will change the role of the technicians interacting with them.
Mariano Carreras, International Training Manager, SMC International
Industry Advisory Board, Preparing Technicians for the Fu
ture of Work
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Necessary Skills Now Network Webinar
Engaging Technician Faculty In Teaching Employability Skills
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Employers of STEM technicians increasingly demand strong employability skills, but instructors face challenges in teaching these skills within their programs. This webinar describes research findings on how technician education programs are engaging faculty in teaching these skills and shares a
handbook
with tools and techniques that can be used both in the classroom and in partnership with fellow educators and employers. Watch the archived webinar and access the slide deck
here
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Louise Yarnall, Sr. Research Social Scientist, SRI International
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17 Ways Technology Could Change
The World by 2025
Recently published by the World Economic Forum,
17 Ways Technology Could Change the World by 2025
is a fascinating look into the not-so-distant future. "Technology pioneers" forecast changes we can expect in five years and how these will impact the workforce and permeate our day-to-day lives. Predicted transformations involve diet, healthcare systems, cancer treatments, construction, virtual reality, and robotics.
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Listen to the Preparing Technicians for the Future of Work Podcasts
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Hosted by Mike Lesiecki, the project's monthly podcasts cover topics such as artificial intelligence, the internet-of-things, cybersecurity, advanced robotics, digital design and prototyping, and other topics at the changing interface of technology, work, and education. In each podcast, you will hear interviews with industry leaders and working technicians in the field. In the most recent episode 15,
"Working 'Remotely'"
Mike is joined by
Jill Zande, Associate Director and ROV Competition Coordinator for the Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center
at Monterey Peninsula College
.
They take a deep
dive into how partnering with companies and professional associations, like the Marine Technology Society, strengthens educational initiatives such as the ROV (underwater remotely operated vehicle) competition.
Also available on
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Disclaimer: This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under NSF DUE #1839567. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
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