Ideation Station

Ideation is the creative process of generating, developing, and communicating new ideas. In the context of ATE and ATE grant proposal development, ideation is about coming up with core ideas for an ATE project or center, that both match the needs of your program and institution and align with the aims of the ATE program and NSF.

As a starting point, carefully read the Introduction section in the ATE solicitation (also known as the "Request For Proposal", or "RFP"). Then look through the Program Description section, paying close attention to the various focus areas described (e.g. Professional Development, Leadership Capacity Building, Teacher Preparation) and the examples given for each. These should help give you some starting points, to think about how the needs of your students, instructors, industry partners, and other stakeholders might mesh with the goals of ATE.

Once you have a core idea for a project that you think may be suitable, consider possible collaborators and the makeup of your project team, and how you might leverage past work done by others to jump start your project. The ATE project and center map and searching through the ATE resource collection may be helpful in this process.

Leveraging the experience of others can be invaluable in crafting a successful proposal. Below you will also find a series of videos that capture veteran ATE PIs sharing their hard-won knowledge and experience in writing a successful grant proposal for ATE.

From project conception through funding and successful execution, the ATE community can provide a wealth of assistance. For more of the resources available that may help with the ideation and proposal creation phase, see the proposal preparation area on this site.

 

Tips for a Successful ATE Proposal

Align Ideas with NSF Priorities: Make sure the core ideas for your proposed project or center align with NSF’s vision of advancing innovation in STEM education and workforce development. Review the most current NSF ATE program guidelines and solicitation to ensure compliance.

Involve Industry Partnerships: Collaborate with industry partners during ideation to create practical, workforce-oriented solutions. Demonstrating a strong relationship with industry will significantly strengthen your proposal.

Focus on Data-Driven Impact: During the ideation phase, work with the ATE-funded EvaluATE project and an outside evaluator to develop a plan for assessing the impact of your program. Include robust data collection and evaluation to ensure the outcomes can be measured and scaled.

Consider Sustainability: As part of your ideation, consider how the project will be sustained beyond the grant period. Proposals should include strategies for long-term viability.

By focusing on innovative, community-responsive ideas that address the current and future needs of the STEM workforce, your NSF ATE proposal will have a significant impact on education and career development in the high-tech fields that drive our nation’s economy.

 

Potential Focus Areas

Below are some potential areas to consider during the ideation phase, along with examples of strategies for addressing each area.

Curriculum Development

Curriculum development is often one of the key deliverables of an ATE proposal. As you consider the curriculum and course materials that you’ll be creating, think carefully about what strategies (e.g., flipped classroom or collaborative learning) you might integrate into your coursework to provide students with solid experience and skills as they enter the workforce.

Strategy Example: As outlined in the solicitation, it’s critical to work closely with industry as you develop your proposal, and curriculum development provides a great opportunity for collaborating with your industry partners. They are the ideal group to help you and your team identify key skills gaps integrate real-word project opportunities into the curriculum and courses you develop.

Strengthening Recruitment and Retention

Create innovative teaching methods and tools to improve retention for students in STEM fields. This could involve using digital tools, hybrid or fully online classes, or new pedagogical models that cater to a variety of learning styles.

Strategy Example: Design instructional strategies that make STEM subjects more engaging and understandable for all learners. Utilize technology to provide personalized learning paths, simulations, and interactive labs.

Faculty/Staff Professional Development

Provide opportunities for project or center staff and faculty to strengthen their knowledge and skills. You could include a focus on new technologies or pedagogical strategies.

Strategy Example: Work with your industry partners to bring faculty in to train on the newest industry equipment. Faculty can then more closely align curriculum to the environment that students will work in during internships and in the workplace.

Industry-Education Partnerships for Workforce Pipeline Development

Build partnerships with industry leaders to develop training programs that align with current and future workforce needs. This can help ensure that students are receiving relevant and up-to-date skills that employers are seeking.

Strategy Example: Create internship, apprenticeship, or co-op programs where students gain hands-on experience. Develop feedback loops with industry partners to continuously update the curriculum to keep it aligned with technological advancements.

Developing Career Exploration and Awareness Programs

Create program components to help students explore STEM career options at an earlier stage in their education. These programs can also promote awareness about the wide variety of careers and fields.

Strategy Example:  Present at local high-school career fairs, organize industry panels, and create guest speaker events to introduce high-school and college students to professionals from different industries. Create resources such as online platforms, videos, or interactive guides that help students understand the opportunities in specific STEM fields.

Leverage or Scale Successful Models of Technical Education

Identify successful technical education programs, especially those in the ATE community, that have been proven to enhance student outcomes. These could be models that have demonstrated success and would be ideal to leverage or scale.

Strategy Example: Use the ATE Central map to discover projects or centers in your region or field and identify potential collaborators - contact center or project PIs to discuss how you might leverage or scale their ideas. You can also search ATE Central to find resources and materials created by ATE grantees.

Integrating Interdisciplinary Learning for Holistic STEM Education

Create interdisciplinary programs that blend STEM education with other disciplines such as business, communications, and social sciences, helping students develop a well-rounded skill set.

Strategy Example: Develop cross-departmental collaborations to create joint programs, integrating project-based learning that helps students solve real-world problems in teams and simulate industry environments.

 

Ideation Videos

Experienced members of the ATE community were brought together to talk about ideation and share their knowledge of best practices when crafting a proposal for an ATE grant, and those discussions were caught on video.

What is Ideation?

Understanding the RFP

Garnering Support and Leveraging Experience

Industry And Programmatic Needs

Working With Mentors