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 The Journal of Advanced Technological Education:

J ATE (Volume 3, Issue 1)

micronanoeducation.org/jate/volume-3-issue-1

This resource, published by Portland Community College, is the first issue of the third volume of J ATE. J ATE is a peer-reviewed technical journal focused on community college faculty and staff who work with technician education. This journal is cross-disciplinary and encompasses all technologies under the National Science Foundation (NSF) Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Program. Some of these technologies include Micro Nano, Biotechnology, Autonomous Technology, Cyber Security, Advanced Manufacturing, Earth Sciences, Agriculture Technology, Energy, and Welding. Some topics that crosscut across all disciplines of technician education are also covered. Those topics include Evaluation, Mentoring, Undergraduate Research, and Applied Technician Research.

From Building Efficiency for a Sustainable Tomorrow (BEST) Center:

Grid Interactive Efficient Buildings and Connected Communities From Science Fiction to Reality

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdnVpTZMLwI

In this video, provided by the Building Efficiency for a Sustainable Tomorrow (BEST) Center, Marco Pritoni from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory discusses and introduces grid interactive efficient buildings (GEBs), connected communities, and related technologies. Pritoni begins by providing an overview of how GEBs function and what makes the concept of a GEB so unfamiliar. After, Pritoni highlights key technologies that contribute to creating GEBs and connected communities, including thermal storage and advanced controls.

From Developing an E-book and Other Interactive Instructional Materials for Technician Education in Vacuum Technology:

E-Book Development for Technical Education

atecentral.net/downloads/35864/2022-ATEPI-Demo+Session_with+combined+edits.pdf

This presentation, published by Erie Community College and presented at the 2022 Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Principal Investigator Conference, focuses on the process of developing the Introduction to Vacuum Technology E-book, a textbook that covers topics in vacuum technology curated to technicians in a production environment. The presentation provides an overview of the project and the process of creating and publishing the E-book.

Also included is advice on how to get started with E-book publication. The Introduction to Vacuum Technology E-book, and related student and instructor guides, videos, and labs are available to view separately.

Community Connection

Enhancing Online Learning for Community College Students

A new research brief, Beyond Engagement: Promoting Motivation and Learning in Online Courses, highlights strategies to improve student success in online STEM courses. Conducted by the Postsecondary Teaching with Technology Collaborative at Columbia University, the study explores how online formats can contribute to feelings of isolation and academic disparities, particularly for low-income and racially marginalized students.

Study findings emphasize the importance of self-directed learning (SDL) skills—such as motivation, metacognition, and applied learning—to help students stay engaged and adapt their study strategies. Through interviews with 25 online STEM students, the research underscores the value of structured faculty-student interactions, clear course organization, and peer collaboration in fostering a sense of belonging. The study suggests that investing in faculty training and intentional course design can create more inclusive and effective online learning environments.

Read the ATE Impacts post on the study for more details or find the full study on the Postsecondary Teaching Collaborative’s website.

ATE Success Tips: Outreach

Effective Engagement with Non-Specialist Audiences

With the internet now ingrained into daily life, it is easier than ever to share information. Podcasts, blogs, newsletters, and social media posts are a few of the many ways that members of the ATE community can communicate with non-specialist audiences. These tools can be used to promote projects, highlight centers, feature student success stories, or even boost other outreach efforts. Due to this depth and breadth of online information, it is important to thoughtfully present information so audience members of all backgrounds can understand and engage with ATE community content.

Here are some tips for supporting effective public outreach with non-specialist readers.

  1. Avoid jargon. Instead of jumping into complicated technical details, use analogies or relatable examples to make complex ideas easier to grasp. Try to substitute everyday words for niche jargon and use plain language as often as possible.
  2. Predict questions. Think like the audience and anticipate questions that may come up along the way. Provide clear answers that highlight key concepts and promote understanding.
  3. Use multiple types of formats. Integrating different kinds of media into written content, such as videos and illustrations, can support comprehension and clarity. There are a variety of tools available to create charts, infographics, audio recordings, and other multi-format content, such as Canva, Lucidchart, Piktochart, Infogram, Spotify for Creators, Audacity, Miro, Figma, Snappa, VistaCreate, Visme, and Genially.
  4. Limit acronyms. Abbreviations and acronyms can be confusing and alienating to readers who are not part of scientific or educational communities. Make sure to use the full name of organizations, programs, and initiatives. Even though it may sound lengthier, it helps ensure that the audience understands who or what is being discussed.

For more planning resources and tips, check out the ATE Central Outreach Kit.

Did You Know?

According to the American Association of Colleges and Universities, 89% of higher education leaders estimate that at least half of their students use AI tools for coursework.

Select STEM Education Resources

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

Journal of Electronic Publishing

journals.publishing.umich.edu/jep

The Journal of Electronic Publishing was founded in 1995, and it is published by a unit of the University of Michigan Libraries. The journal offers, "articles [that] present innovative ideas, best practices, and leading-edge thinking about all aspects of publishing, authorship, and readership." An "advanced search" feature is available to visitors on the left hand side menu, and the ability to "browse all issues", "browse by author", and "browse by title" is also available on the same menu. Recent issues of the journal have featured pieces discussing whether or not giving away free digital versions of books affects print sales of the book, and another titled "Our Blook" which discusses a website experiment that has the features of a blog and a book. Anyone with a penchant for the future of publishing in general will find this site to be a great resource.

The National Academies, Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy

nap.nationalacademies.org/author

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine work together to provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions. Most of our work is conducted through seven major programs. The purpose is to study "the factors involved in the changing mechanisms for access to STM [scientific, technical, and medical] information in the scholarly publications and the various technical, legal, policy, and economic issues that they raise."

Use quantitative reasoning to develop biological insights

qbio.lookatphysics.com

This site offers a way for scientists, educators and others to investigate biological systems using a physical sciences perspective. On the site, visitors will find video tutorials, classroom fact sheets, and a set of helpful illustrations. First up, is the section dedicated to providing resources for folks interested in pre-algebra, algebra, geometry and pre-calculus. Here they can find slides, videos, and resources dedicated to edifying people about variables, polynomials, and combinatorics. The site also offers the same resources for subjects that include linear algebra, evolutionary game theory, and more.

Do you have some great STEM resources you'd like to share with ATE Central? Email us with your ideas at [email protected].

ATE Events

Upcoming Events
– Bio/Chem 2025 Pacific Operational Science & Technology (POST) Conference Honolulu, HI
Ag/Env Two Energy Lessons for Your Classroom! Webinar Online
Info AWS AI Practitioner Faculty Training - Session 3: AWS AI Practitioner Exam Preparation Online
Bio/Chem Workplace Navigation Training Workshops - Managing Expectations: Asking for & Obtaining Feedback Online
Bio/Chem ATE Project Talks: Bioindustrial Manufacturing and Antibody Engineering Hackathons Online
Ag/Env Hybrid Solar & Electric Vehicles – Driving Student Innovation Webinar Online
Ag/Env KidWind Virtual Workshops - Power Grid 101 Online
– Gen 2025 Innovations Conference San Antonio, TX
Mfg WiM West Conference Seattle, WA
Ag/Env P.O.W.E.R. – Turning Students into Energy Leaders Webinar Online
Gen Multimedia + AI Online
– Eng Aviation Technician Education Council Conference Norfolk, VA
– Mfg ProMat 2025 Chicago, IL
– Info NVIDIA GTC AI Conference San Jose, CA
Eng Michigan Mass Timber Community of Practice Online
Ag/Env Building Solar and Water-Powered Devices Using K’NEX Renewable Energy Sets Webinar Online
Gen CCPI-Cast: Community College and Industry Partnerships: Models that Work Online
– Info 2025 Mid-Atlantic Cybersecurity Capabilities and Careers Summit College Park, MD
– Bio/Chem 2025 ABRF Annual Meeting Las Vegas, NV
– Gen 2025 Hawaii STEM Conference Honolulu, HI
Eng MN Aviation Maintenance Technician And IA Renewal Conference Brooklyn Center, MN
Gen NSF ATE Annual & Project Outcomes Report Webinar Online
– Mfg MEEd 2025 ASME Mechanical Engineering Education Summit Los Angeles, CA
– Info ADMI 2025 Symposium Charlotte, NC
Nano NRIC 2025: Quantum Simulation and Quantum Computation Lincoln, NE
Mfg A Case Study in Machine Learning (ML) Using Transfer Learning Models Online
Bio/Chem Workplace Navigation Training Workshops - Negotiating for What You Need Online
Bio/Chem ATE Project Talks: Fulfilling the Promise of Anytime, Anywhere DNA Sequencing Online
Ag/Env Lights Out Project – Eliminating Light Pollution and Driving Student Inquiry Webinar Online
– Info Women in Cybersecurity Conference Grapevine, TX
– Gen ITEEA Conference 2025 St. Louis, MO
Gen Mentor-Connect Forms Webinar Online
Mfg Connecticut Manufacturing, Engineering & Technology Career Fair 2025 Hamden, CT
– Info 2025 CAE in Cybersecurity Community Symposium Charleston, SC
– Info 2025 National Conference on Artificial Intelligence Houston, TX
Mfg Navigating a Multi-Generational Workforce Online
Eng AI Use in Business & Marketing Online
Eng Experience Northland Thief River Falls, MN
Bio/Chem ATE Project Talks: The NOBLE Project Online
Gen CCPI-Cast: Talking with CCPI-Fellows and their Mentors Online
– Gen AACC Annual Convention 2025 Nashville, TN
Eng GigaZone Tech Expo Bemidji, MN
Ag/Env Using NASA Datasets in Renewable Energy Courses to Create Engaging and Meaningful Learning Webinar Online
– Info Faculty Fellowship: Microsoft 21st Century Skills Workshop Online
Ag/Env KidWind Virtual Workshops - Marine & Hydropower 101 Online
Eng Experience Northland East Grand Forks, MN
Info POD Security Matters Murray, KY
– Info 2025 Northeast Cybersecurity Capabilities and Careers Summit Bethlehem, PA
Ag/Env “Fun with Engineering” – Student Recruitment in Engineering Technology, All in One Package Webinar Online
Bio/Chem Workplace Navigation Training Workshops - Utilizing an Interview to determine a “Good Fit” Online
Bio/Chem ATE Project Talks: Industrial Biomanufacturing and Work-based Biotech Education Online
– Ag/Env 2025 STEM Educator Virtual Solar Institute Online
– Info RSA Conference 2025 San Francisco, CA
– Bio/Chem BioMADE 2025 Member Meeting Minneapolis, MN

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

2025 Innovations Conference

The League for Innovation in the Community College is excited to announce the 2025 Innovations Conference, taking place from March 9-12 in San Antonio, Texas, at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio RiverWalk. Hosted by Alamo Colleges District, this 28th annual event is the premier gathering for community college professionals focused on enhancing teaching, leadership, and student success. The conference will feature keynote speakers, over 100 breakout sessions, and a Solutions Center showcasing the latest in higher education products and services. This international conference is a great opportunity to collaborate, exchange ideas, and explore programs shaping the future of community colleges. Registration is still available for the conference, find out more on the League's website.

NCPN CONNECT 2025 National Career Pathways Network

Join the NCPN Connect Conference February 26th through February 28th, in Austin, Texas. For over 30 years, the NCPN Connect Conference has been dedicated to strengthening the education-to-careers pipeline through Career Pathways, Adult Career Pathways, career and technical education (CTE), and workforce development initiatives. The world of work is changing at a breakneck pace. Skills are evolving so rapidly that students, businesses, and communities are struggling to keep up. CORD's Framework for Career Pathways Alignment provides an organizing structure for educators, employers and community partners to design career pathways that support students to completion. Find out more about the conference on the NCPN website.

ATE Central Outreach Kit

The ATE Central Outreach Kit was developed as a tool to assist ATE Principal Investigators (PIs) and staff in effectively planning, monitoring, and executing outreach activities.

ATE Central has given the Outreach Kit a refresh with a new design and content, accompanied by a downloadable Template. The new kit is designed to guide you through a step-by-step process and helps you explore how to identify your primary audiences and stakeholders, determine the partners and resources that can support your efforts, and start considering aspects such as branding and messaging.

By utilizing the kit and template, you will make significant progress towards developing a comprehensive plan that enables you to achieve the objectives of your grant, effectively communicate your outcomes and impacts, and showcase the valuable work of your project or center to a diverse range of stakeholders.

The Outreach Kit can be found on ATE Central's website, under the Resources tab.

Check out ATE Central's 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 [email protected].

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