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.

We want the ATE Central Connection to be a valuable tool; please e-mail [email protected] with any suggestions about how to make the ATE Central Connection more useful for you or to suggest any information you would like to see in an upcoming issue.

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In This Issue

Featured Resources: Bio and Chemical Technologies

From the InnovATEBIO National Biotechnology Education Center:

Envisioning the Next Bioscience Workforce: A Summit on Industry Trends and Needs

innovatebio.org/publication/envisioning-the-next-bioscience-workforce-a-summit-on-industry-trends-and-needs

Published by the InnovATEBIO National Biotechnology Education Center, this 80-page report describes findings from the “Envisioning the Next Bioscience Workforce: A Summit on Industry Trends and Needs.” Hundreds of participants in academia, industry, and government gathered to discuss potential strategies to strengthen the biotechnology workforce, ways to foster collaboration across specialty areas, and innovative trends and technologies in the sector. The report includes an executive summary of the summit, key points from panel discussions, proposed models to support workforce development, summit presentations, and related biotechnology resources.

From the InnovATEBIO National Biotechnology Education Center:

Immunotherapy Hub and Antibody Engineering

innovatebio.org/event-items/event/ate-project-talks-immunotherapy-hub-and-antibody-engineering

This 50-minute webinar from the InnovATEBIO National Biotechnology Education Center features two topics pertaining to biotechnology education. It first dives into a report by the Cell and Immunotherapy Hub, which defines the sector of immunotherapy, analyzes the current job market and emerging workforce trends, and discusses gaps in technician competency and skill development. After this topic, the webinar then describes the basic science of antibody engineering, available careers in the field, and efforts by educators to develop relevant research projects for undergraduate learners.

From Developing Classroom-based Undergraduate Research Experiences in Antibody Bioengineering:

iCn3D

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoWjlAmJT_E

Published by Digital World Biology, this 50-minute video offers a user tutorial of iCn3D, a web-based software platform that generates 3D visualizations and analyses of molecular structures. Covering both simple and complex applications, this resource provides stepwise instructions on how to perform various inCn3D functions, including mutational analysis, alignment of molecular structures, and examination of electrostatic potential.

Community Connection

Post-COVID Enrollment Trends

Community colleges across the United States continue to struggle with enrollment numbers in rebounding from the impacts of COVID-19. According to a recent report from Columbia University's Community College Research Center (CCRC), fewer than one-third of studied institutions have returned to their pre-pandemic enrollment levels. States like Delaware, New Hampshire, and Tennessee saw fewer than one in ten colleges fully recover, while North Dakota, Nebraska, and Maine experienced significantly better outcomes. Notably, dual enrollment among high school students has seen substantial growth, increasing by 26% since 2019, highlighting a potential strategy for colleges to rebuild enrollment through stronger secondary education partnerships. However, declining numbers of older adults and recent high school graduates enrolling suggest current recruitment methods may need reassessment.

To explore more insights and detailed enrollment trends, read the full blog post on ATE Impacts.

ATE Success Tips: Social Media

Using Images Effectively in Social Media

Adding images to your social media posts are a great way to attract more attention to what your project or center is posting. When it comes to social media posts, Facebook posts have 37% more engagement if they have an image. What types of images should you include to get more engagement with your posts?

  • Images can always be tailored to what you're posting about. Are you posting about an upcoming event, such as a conference, workshop, or webinar? Include an image of the event (possibly from the past) or from the event's website. This can also be a logo, or an icon produced to market the event.
  • Are you posting about a student or staff member's achievements within your project or center? Get their permission to share their photo and include it with your post. Not only will more people engage with your post, but it is a great way to conduct outreach about the achievements of your project or center.
  • Finally, you can always consider adding a free stock photo to your post from a site like Unsplash or Canva. Most stock photo sites can be searched by keyword, which may make finding an image for a workshop or event related to recruitment, for example, a bit easier.

Did You Know?

For the 2024-2025 academic year, the average annual tuition and fees for public, in-district community colleges is $4,050, while the average cost for public, in-state four-year colleges is $11,610, according to the AACC.

Select STEM Education Resources

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

Academic Earth

academicearth.org

Academic Earth provides videos of lectures that range from Astronomy to Entrepreneurship. Visitors must register to view the lectures, but registration is free. There are over 1500 video lectures available, with more being added everyday. In addition to viewing the lectures available by subject or university, visitors can choose by "Instructors" or by "Playlists". When visitors click on "Playlists" at the top of the homepage, they will see a list of lectures by theme, by several different instructors, and a grade given to the lecture series.

Your Genome

www.yourgenome.org

This Web site by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute provides information about genome science for various levels of awareness. Although the advanced section is not yet complete, the beginner and intermediate touch on genes, DNA, RNA, and the Human Genome Project. If your curiosity is not satisfied by the Web site, there is a form for submitting questions directly to the Sanger Institute. Two features are the links (with descriptions and organized by level) and a timeline of genome science from the 1950's to the present.

SoloLearn

www.sololearn.com/en

SoloLearn invites users to join millions of learners and gain access to more than 2,000 lessons on various aspects of programming, web development, and data science. Courses cover Python 3, Java, SQL, CSS, Ruby, and much more, and each course consists of modules and quizzes for a comprehensive learning experience. A full list of offerings is available on the Courses page. For additional topical content, check out the frequently updated Blog page. While the premium version of the platform requires a subscription, the basic plan is completely free (though users will have to create an account to access the materials). Readers can access SoloLearn on Android and iOS apps or on the web.

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
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
– Eng MATE ROV Academy - PufferFish ROV teacher workshop Plymouth,
Info Enhancing Modern Database Education: MongoDB for Academia Info Session Online
– Gen Wonder, Opportunity, Mentorship, Empowerment and Networking in Science Lincoln, NE
– Mfg RAPID + TCT 2025 Detroit, MI
– Info 2025 CAE in Cybersecurity Community Symposium Charleston, SC
– Info 2025 National Conference on Artificial Intelligence Houston, TX
Mfg FLATE Webinar Series: Insights into the Workforce of the Future Online
Mfg Navigating a Multi-Generational Workforce Online
Bio/Chem Webinar: Purdue's Cutting-Edge Biomanufacturing Programs: Research, Education, and Partnerships Online
Eng AI Use in Business & Marketing Online
Eng Experience Northland Thief River Falls, MN
– Mfg 2025 REMADE Circular Economy Technology Summit & Conference Washington, DC
Mfg FLATE Webinar: A Case Study in Machine Learning (ML) Using Transfer Learning Models Online
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
Mfg "Girls Can, Too!" Robotics Lab Georgetown, KY
Eng GigaZone Tech Expo Bemidji, MN
Mfg CT State Information Session - Advanced Manufacturing Program Online
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
Gen Mentor-Connect Budget Webinar Online
Ag/Env Low-Cost Gas Laws Demonstration Using Arduino Webinar Online
– Nano Low Cost Nanotechnology Hands-on Workshop 2025 University Park, PA
– Info Privacy & Security Spring Academy Washington, DC
– Info 2025 Southeast Cybersecurity Capabilities and Careers Summit Macon, GA
Mfg Moms in MFG Conference Online
– Info 46th IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy San Francisco, CA
– Mfg Automate Conference 2025 Detroit, MI
– Mfg Manufacturing Technology Series EAST West Springfield, MA
– Eng 4th Tech Summit On Artificial Intelligence & Robotics Las Vegas, NV
– Eng AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2025 Houston, TX
– Mfg Education and Training in Optics and Photonics Glasgow,
– Info (ISC)2 CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professional Workshop Online
– Mfg AMTEC Institute for Industry 4.0 Innovation (AI3) Owensboro, KY
– Mfg FAME National Conference Charlotte, NC
Gen Mentor-Connect Budget/Forms Webinar Online
Bio/Chem ATE Project Talks: Preparing Biotechnicians in Northeast Florida Online
– Gen NISOD’s International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence Austin, TX

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

AMTEC's Institute for Industry 4.0 Innovation

AMTEC invites secondary and post-secondary educators to participate in an immersive two-day training program focused on Industry 4.0 skills on May 20-21 and June 10-11, 2025, in Owensboro, Kentucky. Highlights include essential industry 4.0 concepts and interactive training, competency-based education practices, virtual reality applications, and guidance on funding and available resources.

Participants will benefit from ongoing virtual community-of-practice sessions each month, connecting with industry experts, sharing best practices, and building collaborative peer networks. Eligible attendees who complete the training requirements will receive travel assistance and stipends. Contact Cadie Underwood at [email protected] to register or learn more on the AMTEC 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].

Follow ATE Central on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with all things new at ATE Central and in the ATE Community as well as in the world of STEM Education.


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