ATE is Advanced Technological Education. With an emphasis on two-year colleges, the National Science Foundation's ATE program focuses on the education of technicians for the high-technology fields that drive our nation's economy.
Underwater Intervention Conference
Conference
December 3 New Orleans, LA
Consisting of a dedicated exhibitor pavilion and a multi-track technical conference program this co-location capitalizes on the tremendous amount of synergy between the WorkBoat and Underwater Intervention audience. Underwater Intervention started in 1993 when the MTS ROV Committee and the Association of Diving Contractors International joined together to create the world's premier conference for Commercial Diving, ROVs, Underwater Surveys, AUVs, and Underwater Construction, Maintenance, and Repair Operations.
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Navigating Cyber Threats: Insights and Resources from CISA
Speaker
December 4 Online
Join CISA Cybersecurity Advisor (CSA) Donald Hester for a concise presentation covering the latest cyber threat landscape and an overview of CISA's key resources. This briefing will provide actionable insights to enhance your organization's cybersecurity posture and highlight tools and services available to support your resilience efforts.
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Implications of Artificial Intelligence for Educators
Workshop
December 5 Godfrey, IL
This workshop empowers university, community college, and high school faculty, staff, counselors, and academic advisors with the knowledge and tools to effectively integrate AI into their teaching practices and curriculum development. Participants will explore practical applications of AI, including lesson planning, designing engaging and interactive content, creating dynamic assessments, and customizing individualized student learning experiences. Additionally, the workshop will highlight how to enable students to use AI in ethical and productive ways across various disciplines.
Through hands-on activities, collaborative projects, and real-world examples, faculty will gain a deeper understanding of AI’s transformative role in education. They will also explore new forms of student engagement, ensuring responsible AI use in both teaching and learning environments. This workshop prepares educators to harness AI to enhance classroom instruction, streamline administrative tasks, and equip students with the skills needed to navigate an AI-driven future.
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BioBuilder: Building Inclusive Pathways into the Bioeconomy
Speaker
December 5 Online
As the bioeconomy grows, so does the need for innovative and inclusive life science education. The BioBuilder Educational Foundation is a nonprofit founded at MIT that aims to meet this challenge by equipping high school students and teachers with engaging, project-based synthetic biology and biotechnology curricula. Since 2011, BioBuilder has reached over 87,000 students and teachers across 50 U.S. states and 80 countries.
This talk will explore how BioBuilder addresses key chokepoints in the education-to-workforce pipeline: increasing student engagement in science, supporting educators with high-quality resources, and building partnerships with industry and community colleges. Early data from longitudinal studies and program impact assessments will highlight BioBuilder’s scalable contributions to STEM learning and job readiness. Designed for educators, researchers, and students alike, this session offers a model for how biological engineering can be taught in ways that are both rigorous and inclusive—broadening participation in the workforce and empowering students to pursue meaningful, well-paying careers—with or without a traditional four-year degree.
Speakers:
Dr. Natalie Kuldell
Charlene (Char) Montgomery
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KidWind Virtual Workshops - Solar Energy 101
Workshop
December 6 Online
During this virtual workshop, educators will learn the foundations of solar power including the science and technology of solar PV and thermal energy. Organizers will also introduce activities for the classroom that engage students in dynamic, hands-on, energy-based learning.
All teachers who pre-register will receive a $150 kit before the 3 hour virtual training and we will go through how to use these materials in the classroom. This workshop has self-guided and in-person components.
Some things to know:
- Workshop cost is $250.
- This workshop and the materials used are geared towards middle school and high school teachers.
- No prior knowledge on solar energy is required.
- You will need a stable internet connection and dedicated space in which to work.
- A box of material will be shipped 4-7 days before the workshop.
- Preservice and retired teachers are welcome!
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NICE K12 Cybersecurity Education Conference
Conference
December 8 Nashville, TN
The NICE K12 Cybersecurity Education Conference is the premier event for K-12th grade cybersecurity educators. In its 11th year, the NICE K12 Cybersecurity Education Conference has gathered the most dynamic and innovative cybersecurity education leaders and professionals from across the US for an intensive, highly collaborative exploration to promote the discovery of cybersecurity careers and multiple pathways, identify methods to transform learning and much more.
The NICE K12 Conference is known to cybersecurity-related educators and educational stakeholders as the best place to engage with the thought leaders and pioneers leading the charge in classrooms, schools, districts, and regional and statewide cybersecurity education programs. The NICE K12 Conference is the national hub for providing resources in innovative teaching and learning for K12 educators to inspire their students to be the future cybersecurity workforce.
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Implications of Artificial Intelligence for Educators
Workshop
December 8 Godfrey, IL
This workshop empowers university, community college, and high school faculty, staff, counselors, and academic advisors with the knowledge and tools to effectively integrate AI into their teaching practices and curriculum development. Participants will explore practical applications of AI, including lesson planning, designing engaging and interactive content, creating dynamic assessments, and customizing individualized student learning experiences. Additionally, the workshop will highlight how to enable students to use AI in ethical and productive ways across various disciplines.
Through hands-on activities, collaborative projects, and real-world examples, faculty will gain a deeper understanding of AI’s transformative role in education. They will also explore new forms of student engagement, ensuring responsible AI use in both teaching and learning environments. This workshop prepares educators to harness AI to enhance classroom instruction, streamline administrative tasks, and equip students with the skills needed to navigate an AI-driven future.
This workshop also includes a 4-hour virtual session on December 12.
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ACTE CareerTech VISION
Conference
December 9 Nashville, TN
ACTE's CareerTech VISION is the must-attend event for career and technical education (CTE) professionals. Happening Dec. 9-12 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee, VISION offers comprehensive programming covering high-quality CTE in secondary and postsecondary environments and emerging trends in the field to help career and technical educators thrive in their careers. VISION provides attendees with a rich array of networking opportunities, an Expo, hundreds of concurrent program sessions, and numerous networking opportunities.
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Keeping Your PEACE: Women in Manufacturing Education Foundation's Virtual Learning Series
Webinar
December 9
December doesn’t have to mean burnout. Join for a refreshing 60-minute virtual session to reflect, recharge, and learn how to keep your PEACE through the busiest season of the year.
These webinars are FREE for Women in Manufacturing members and only $35 for nonmembers, making them accessible and valuable for all professionals.
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Community Capabilities Webinar | AVN: Supporting Bio-Based Chemical Process Technology Development
Webinar
December 9
Hear from Jack Dever, Chief Technology Officer at AVN, who will introduce AVN’s capabilities for process development and talk through their process, including work they have done to develop a technology package for converting glucose to a commodity chemical.
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Community Conversations: Reflecting on 2025 – Lessons Learned
Meeting
December 16 Online
In this community conversation, ATE PIs, project evaluators, and staff will reflect on the lessons learned throughout 2025 and discuss how these insights can be applied to enhance evaluation practices moving forward.
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Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences
Conference
January 6 Lahaina, HI
Since 1968, the Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS) has been known worldwide as the longest-standing working scientific conferences in Information Technology Management. HICSS provides a highly interactive working environment for top scholars from academia and the industry from over 60 countries to exchange ideas in various areas of information, computer, and system sciences. According to Microsoft Academic, HICSS ranks the 36th in terms of citations among 4,444 conferences in all fields worldwide.
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Scouting America Badging Day
Student Event
January 10 Thief River Falls, MN
Scouting America Merit Badge Day will be held at Northland Community & Technical College. Scouts will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of engaging classes, including Aviation, First Aid, Welding, Law Enforcement, and Citizenship in the Nation. This event is designed to give Scouts hands-on learning experiences while working toward their merit badges.
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ATE Projects and Centers
Advanced Manufacturing Technologies topics include:
- Additive manufacturing
- Automotive manufacturing
- General manufacturing
Agricultural and Environmental Technologies topics include:
- Agriculture and aquaculture
- Environmental technologies
- Natural resources
- Nuclear power
- Solar energy
- Wind power
Bio and Chemical Technologies topics include:
- Biotechnology
- Chemical and process technologies
Engineering Technologies topics include:
- Electronics and controls
- General engineering
- Marine technologies
- Materials technologies
- Optics
- Space technologies
General Advanced Technological Education topics include:
- Evaluation
- Learning research
- Recruitment
- Teacher preparation
Information and Security Technologies topics include:
- Geospatial technologies
- Information and communications technologies
- Logistics
- Security, information assurance, and forensics
Micro and Nanotechnologies topics include:
- MEMS
- Microsystems
- Semiconductors
This 85-page textbook, created for the ELCT 132: Introduction to Printed Circuit Board Design and Layout course at Lake Washington Institute of Technology, teaches students the fundamentals of creating printed circuit boards (PCB). The textbook covers a variety of concepts related to the creation and design of PCBs, such as adding copper layers to a PCB design, using the KiCad software for creating PCBs, and designing custom footprints for use in PCB design. Included in the textbook are numerous video lectures and tutorials. The textbook consists of the following parts:
- Printed Circuit Board Fundamentals
- PCB Terminology and Requirements
- Thermal Management in PCB
- Design PCB using Ki-CAD Software
Upon completing this course students should be able to do the following:
- Design and create printed circuit boards using KiCad software
- Understand the fundamentals of PCB design, including component placement, routing, and layout
- Create and save custom footprints for use in PCB...
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This lesson, presented by the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure, covers the general concepts of size and scale by focusing on the entire classroom and the size of the students in it. The activity focuses on measuring length as this is "the most common feature when presenting nanoscale structures or naonoscale science." Students will also learn about different scales of measure which is fundamental to learning about nanotechnology. A Teacher Preparation Guide and list of Next Generation Science Standards are included.
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This 34-page article, published by Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations, presents the results from interviews with National Science Foundation (NSF) Advanced Technological Education (ATE) grantees and provides "insights into how some community college technician programs have approached education and training in ways that were intentionally linked to regional economic development." Highlighted throughout the article are specific, detailed examples of economic development activities conducted by ATE grantees, such strategies for working with local businesses or attracting employers to the grantee's region. Also included are "recommendations for current and future ATE grantees interested in promoting economic development." The article consists of the following parts:
- Background
- Methods
- Focus on Economic Development
- Industry Alignment for Education and Training
- Business Support and Regional Engagement
- Collaborations
- Conclusions
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Biofab Explorer, provided by CAST, is a "free career guidance resource created to attract and inspire students to the emerging field of biofabrication." On the front page of Biofab Explorer, learners can read about the biofabrication process, watch biofab case study videos, and explore the biofab careers page, which includes video testimonials and information on several careers in biotechnology. Also featured are biofab challenges, which make up a "series of work-based learning simulations that will model what it is like to work in the biofabrication industry." Throughout the challenges, students will practice real-world skills, such as data analysis, communication, and observation. Included are student worksheets and presentation slides. Additionally, Biofab Explorer includes information for teachers regarding using resources on the website for in-class activities.
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This video from the Internet Scout Research Group is part of a series that highlights student success stories related to advanced technological education (ATE) programs. In this video, Elias Marcet discusses his experiences with the Bachelor's program in cybersecurity at Miami Dade College. Elias describes his journey to fully enrolling in Miami Dade, joining the cybersecurity programming, and eventually being employed by Amazon. Funding for the program from the National Science Foundation (NSF) is also explored.
The video runs 5:44 minutes in length.
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| Active ATE Centers | 15 |
| Active ATE Projects | 294 |
| ATE Resources | 6,955 |
| New Projects/Centers | 62 |
| New Resources | 60 |
ATE Resources by Subject Area
ATE Events by Subject Area
Upcoming Virtual Event: Google's Generative AI Leader Training and Certification
Supported by Google Cloud's Career Launchpad in collaboration with the National Applied AI Consortium (NAAIC), the free virtual event, "Google's Generative AI Leader Training and Certification," will be held on January 16 and 23, 2026. Sessions will cover the fundamental principles of artificial intelligence (AI), current AI offerings, strategies to improve the output of generative models, and relevant AI-informed business strategies. Completion of the training program will prepare community college faculty for the Google Cloud Generative AI Leader Certification.
Virtual Training Sessions
- Session 1: January 16, 2026, 10:00AM to 4:30 PM EST
- Session 2: January 23, 2026, 10:00AM to 4:30 PM EST
- Office hours (optional): January 30, 2026, 2:30PM to 4 PM EST
To learn more or to apply for the training program, visit the NAAIC website.
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New Issue: Community College Journal
The October/November issue of the American Association of Community Colleges’ (AACC) Community College Journal is now available online and in print through subscription. A featured publication by AACC, this journal provides contemporary information, insights, strategies, and connections for those in academia, industry, government, and workforce development.
The latest issue highlights:
- Trends surrounding community college-awarded bachelor's degrees.
- Succession strategies for future community college leaders.
- Impact of the 2012 "Reclaiming the American Dream" report from the 21-Century Commission on the Future of Community Colleges.
AACC's October/November publication of the Community College Journal can be accessed online here, and archived issues can be viewed in AACC’s library.
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New Research: Trends for Short-Term Credentials & Other Awards
According to a new DataPoints article from the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), public community colleges awarded more than 1.52 million credentials in 2023–24, showing a steady rebound since the pandemic. Short-term credentials, defined as programs lasting less than a year, rose 27% between 2017–18 and 2023–24.
The average student now earns about 1.34 credentials annually, reflecting growth in stackable or sequential credentialing pathways. Meanwhile, associate degree awards dipped from their 2020–21 peak but saw a modest recovery in 2023–24.
To learn more about enrollment trends across credential types, read the full DataPoints from AACC.
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