Advanced Technological Education .

Welcome to the ATE Central Connection! Published the first Tuesday of each month, the ATE Central Connection is meant to disseminate information to and about ATE centers and projects, providing you with up-to-date ATE news, events, reminders, as well as highlighting new centers, projects, and resources. In addition, we will also highlight an educational topic with complementary resources found within ATE Central to help illustrate how ATE resources can be used in the classroom.

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In This Issue

Featured Resources: Advanced Manufacturing Technologies

From Collaborative Research: Developing Business Communication Skills in Manufacturing Technician Education:

Virtual Reality: Educational Program for Developing Business Communication Skills in Manufacturing Technician Education

purr.purdue.edu/publications/4082/about?v=1

This Android application from Purdue University provides a simulation of the work that advanced manufacturing technicians perform, including details on the work that they perform in automation and data exchange. The simulation is composed of five sections, including an introduction and four sequential storylines. In the simulation, learners role play as a novice technician at a manufacturing company that produces printed paper products. The simulation helps learners develop skills in communication, problem-solving, working in a diverse workplace, and more. A VR headset is required to run the application. Installation instructions are provided in the downloadable ZIP file alongside an Android Package and four Android Opaque Binary Blob files.

From Industry 4.0 Seminar Series:

Engaging the Workforce and Customers Through AR/VR

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SA3I571b34s

This video from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) is part of the Innovative Technology Speaker Series and features four presenters that explore augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR). Hector Jimenez from Rockwell Automation explores digital transformation, ways of sharing and accessing knowledge, industrial use cases, first steps towards digital transformation, augmented reality, virtual reality digital twins for the industrial environment, workforce learning and performance, and other topics related to AR/VR. Emme Darkowski explores Gen Z and the XR world, including how AR and VR transform Gen Z's learning experiences and careers. Kacie Hokanson explores virtual construction at Miron, including details on using VR and AR for construction projects, as well as mixed reality (MR). Mike Race talks about Microsoft Guides and how NWTC uses this to prepare students to use AR/VR technology.

From ATE 2.0: Preparing Technicians for the Future of Work:

Digital Twins

www.preparingtechnicians.org/episode-8-digital-twins

This podcast episode, published by the Center for Occupational Research and Development, is part of a series that covers issues and topics on technician development. In this episode, Gerry Deren talks about simulating manufacturing with a digital twin before investing in its production. A .pdf transcript and show notes are available as well.

Community Connection

From the Archive: Expanding the Data Analytics Technician Pipeline

Data analytics is a rapidly growing field in information technology, offering valuable insights from vast amounts of data to drive data-driven decisions. To expand the pipeline of data analytics technicians, the latest Impacts Blog post highlights various resources.

  • The first set of resources explores data management and utilization, showcasing how five Ohio-based companies use data to enhance their services.
  • Another video emphasizes the benefits of Splunk's Academic Alliances partnership program for colleges and the increasing significance of data in society.
  • The final set of resources features a summary of Columbus State Community College's Data Analytics - Analysis and Visualization AAS degree program by highlighting the opportunity for high school students to earn college credit and gain practical experience in the IT field.

    • To access these resources and more, visit the ATE Impacts blog post.

ATE Success Tips: Outreach

Networking For Outreach

Here are some quick and easy ways to target lasting relationships in your outreach efforts:

  • Make the most of networking events.
    • With HI-TEC fast approaching, this is the perfect opportunity to brush up your elevator pitch. Have a one-minute blurb prepared and memorized to sell yourself and your project or center.
  • Remember, it's a two-way street.
    • Ask follow-up questions, show interest, and don't be afraid to articulate how your work connects with and potentially supports others' goals. Networking is more than just meeting people; it's about forming working relationships.
  • Add that human touch.
    • The best professional connections are built on a foundation of personal respect and engagement. "Small talk" doesn't need to be small impact. Show interest in potential partners as individuals to strengthen their professional trust in you and your team.
  • Don't forget to follow up.
    • If you've made some good contacts, remember to follow up ASAP. It's fine to email someone right away, even while you're at an event, to let them know it was great to meet them and that you'd like to make time to talk again soon.

Did You Know?

Community college enrollment rose 0.5% from the year before, after falling 8.2% and 10.1% in 2022 and 2021, according to data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Furthermore, areas in two-year institutions that saw increases include Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (9.7%), Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians (8.2%), Personal and Culinary Services (9.7%) and Transportation and Materials Moving (11.8%).

Select STEM Education Resources

A few online STEM resources from outside of ATE, that you may find of interest:

National Simulation Resource Facility for Circulatory Transport and Exchange

www.imagwiki.nibib.nih.gov/physiome

Operated by the Department of Bioengineering at the University of Washington, "the National Simulation Resource Facility for Circulatory Transport and Exchange" investigates computational models in biology and medicine. The facility's Web site has detailed documents on the research and projects currently underway, but perhaps the most useful features for people in this field are the software packages available for download. Although they require a short registration, they are free for noncommercial uses. JSIM is likely the most popular title, which is used for simulation of mathematical models and data analysis.

Stanford University: Dextrous Manipulation Laboratory

bdml.stanford.edu/Main/HomePage

The Dextrous Manipulation Laboratory is a project within the Design Division of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University. The website describes some of the lab's past and current projects on robotic hands and tactile sensors, as well as teleoperated hands using haptic information. The two current projects highlighted include work on "a new class of biologically inspired robots'' and progress made in developing "a telemanipulation system that allows a person to control a dexterous robotic hand in an intuitive manner." Various conference papers and theses from the Lab are posted online. Project pages provide overviews of the lab's research and development in hardware and software as well as video footage displaying some of its accomplishments.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology's OpenCourseWare

ocw.mit.edu/search/?d=Mechanical%20Engineering&s=department_course_numbers.sort_coursenum

From the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's OpenCourseWare series comes this extensive collection of materials for teaching and learning about mechanical engineering. These materials, which include syllabi, videos, slide presentations, course readings, lecture notes, exams, and more, were developed by MIT faculty for a variety of undergraduate and graduate classes taught at the university. For instance, in Engineering Math: Differential Equations and Linear Algebra visitors can view a series of 80-minute recorded lectures in which Dr. Gilbert Strang explains how to perform first-order and second-order equations.

Do you have some great STEM resources you'd like to share with ATE Central? Email us with your ideas at info@atecentral.net.

ATE Events

Upcoming Events
– Info CISM: Certified Information Security Manager Online
– Bio/Chem C-TEACH Academy Wilmington, NC
Gen Recognizing and Reducing Implicit Bias in the Classroom Online
– Ag/Env 7th Annual Wisconsin STEM Educator Solar Institute Madison, WI
Eng Women Leadership in Marine Technology and Science: Women Retention in STEM Webinar Online
– Bio/Chem 2023 BIOTECH Pathways: Teaching Academy Bel Air, MD
– Mfg ASE Education Foundation Annual Conference Concord, NC
– Gen Equity & Excellence: Access in Higher Education Conference Portland, OR
– Info Faculty Development Academy: Cybersecurity and Programming for IoT Technicians Online
– Info Certified Ethical Hacker Online
– Gen Power of Us Camp Durham, NC
– Ag/Env Delaware STEM Educator Institute Dover, DE
– Gen HI-TEC 2023 Atlanta, GA
– Mfg STEM Guitar Instructional Event Bethlehem, PA
– Info Faculty Development Academy: Microsoft Azure Security Technologies Online
– Ag/Env CASE Institute Technical Applications in Agriculture (TAA) Staples, MN
– Nano NNCI Nano + Additive Manufacturing Summit Louisville, KY
– Mfg NOVA Digital Fabrication Summer Camp Manassas, VA
– Bio/Chem BIOTECH Pathways: Summer Institute 2023 Bel Air, MD
– Mfg Weld-Ed Summer Training: Joining and Cutting Processes Marysville, CA
– Info Cybersecurity Across Disciplines Conference 2023 Palos Hills, IL
– Ag/Env 2023 Wisconsin Solar Plus Storage Institute Madison, WI
– Eng VEX Robotics Competition Thief River Falls, MN
– Mfg MTTIA Conference Brainerd, MN
– Mfg PLC Educator Workshop Online
– Gen NSF's 2023 Eddie Bernice Johnson INCLUDES National Network Convening Washington, DC
– Info Great Lakes Community College Cyber Summit St Paul, MN
– Ag/Env ESA 2023 Annual Meeting Portland, OR
– Nano Nanotechnology Hands-On-Site Workshop University Park, PA
– Info Modern GIS Tools to Explore Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Gettysburg, PA
– Bio/Chem Antibody Engineering Hackathon August 2023 Online
– Mfg 2MTEC Conference 2023 Moorhead, MN
– Info CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professional Online
Gen Strategies and Insights into Evaluation Plans for NSF ATE Proposals Online
– Info 31st International Cartographic Conference Cape Town,
– Eng MATE FLOATS! Summer Camp 2023 Seattle, WA
– Info Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification 2.0 Workshop Online
– Eng National Sustainable Aviation Fuel Conference 2023 Minneapolis, MN
– Eng Commercial UAS Expo Las Vegas, NV
– Info Convene: Washington, DC Washington, DC
– Gen AACC John E. Roueche Future Leaders Institute Denver, CO
– Mfg FABTECH Chicago, IL
– Nano MNT-EC Journal Writing Workshop 2023 Online
– Gen Advocates in Action Washington, DC
– Info National Cybersecurity Education Colloquium Palos Hills, IL
– Gen Utah STEM Fest Sandy, UT
– Eng ADAS & Autonomous Vehicles Expo Santa Clara, CA
Info National Cybersecurity Virtual Career Fair Online
Eng Girls in Aviation Day 2023 Eden Prairie, MN
– Bio/Chem OCEANS 2023 Gulf Coast Conference Biloxi, MS

For more events, please visit the ATE Central Events page or, if you have any upcoming events that you would like posted on ATE Central or in the ATE Central Connection, please submit them online.

News & Reminders

New Tool - Calendar Feed

The ATE Central Calendar Feed is an easy to customize tool that enables calendar feeds from the ATE Central Events Calendar to quickly be added to either the Outlook or the Mac Calendar app, and will then automatically display upcoming events of interest based on the keywords you include. You can use the feed to populate your personal calendar or to add lists of upcoming events to your ATE center or project website. For WordPress-based sites, free plugins like ICS Calendar will allow you to use a calendar feed to display a list of upcoming events on your WordPress site. You'll need to sign in to your ATE Central account to create a feed - and it's easy to change your selection of keywords to add or subtract areas of interest over time. We look forward to hearing from you as you utilize this new service and as always, we'd love to get your feedback or comments. Don't hesitate to reach out to the team with any questions at info@atecentral.net.

HI-TEC 2023 Registration Now Open

Connect with colleagues and update your knowledge and skills at HI-TEC this year!

HI-TEC is a national conference on advanced technological education where secondary and postsecondary educators, counselors, industry professionals, trade organizations, and technicians can update their knowledge and skills. Charged with preparing America's skilled technical workforce, the event focuses on the preparation needed by the existing and future workforce for companies in the high-tech sectors that drive our nation's economy. This year's conference will be held at the Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center, July 24-27. Pre-conference events will be held July 24-25. Read more and register on the HI-TEC website!

ATE Impacts 2022-2023 Book Showcases Work of ATE Community

The ATE Impacts 2022-2023 book showcases the work of the National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Education Community. This edition includes a foreword from United States President Joseph Biden. It features the work of 33 projects and 28 centers across the seven ATE areas, as well as applied research. By highlighting the ATE community's successful and innovative work, the book encourages broader participation in the ATE program by academic institutions, educators, and industry partners. Dissemination of the ATE Impacts book advances understanding of the importance of technician education and its role in supporting the high-tech industries that drive the United States' economy More information on the book can be found on the ATE Impacts website.

Funding Opportunity from NSF

Keep an eye out for opportunities from the National Science foundation - including this recent Dear Colleague Letter! This DCL encourages proposals to two programs (ATE and S-STEM) supporting workforce development efforts at institutions of higher education. Proposals must build on or leverage strong industry-academic partnerships to strengthen the semiconductor manufacturing workforce.

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