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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Check out ATE Central's Ideation Station for information and videos designed to strengthen current work and future proposals!

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In This Issue

Featured Resources: General Advanced Technological Education

From Mentor-Connect: Leadership Development and Outreach Initiative for ATE:

Preparing NSF ATE Annual and Project Outcomes Reports

www.youtube.com/watch?v=08xtagjoPdY

Published by Mentor-Connect, this 66-minute webinar provides a comprehensive overview of preparing and writing annual project reports (APRs) and final outcomes reports for NSF ATE proposals. It walks viewers through the APR submission process, outlining the reporting timeline, necessary components, and integration of evaluation materials. The webinar also highlights common mistakes, requirements for final outcomes reports, and practical writing strategies for effective submissions.

From A Research Collaborative to Build Employability Skills for STEM Technology Fields:

Teaching Professional Skills: Instructor Handbook

employabilityskills.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Project-GOALS-Instructor-Handbook_05202024.pdf

This resource package from SRI International equips technical instructors with a 36-page handbook outlining evidence-based strategies and lessons for teaching professional skills. By using this handbook, faculty can learn how to explain, define, and model these essential competencies while guiding students in setting goals for personal and career growth. This package also includes a learner self-assessment and an instructor rubric for evaluating students on professional skills.

From EvaluATE: Evaluation Resource Center for Advanced Technological Education:

Expanding Your Repertoire: A Crash Course in Evaluation Approaches

evalu-ate.org/webinar/aug24/

This 54-minute webinar from EvaluATE provides an overview and comparison of three distinct evaluation approaches: theory-driven, practical participatory, and nation-to-nation. During the video, viewers will learn to compare and select the best approach for their specific project or center by considering factors such as available resources and individualized needs. The resource also includes accompanying presentation slides and handout sheets on evaluation.

Community Connection

Redefining Lifelong Learning: Strategies to Support Older Students in Higher Education

Amid shifting demographics and continuous workforce evolution, more people are pursuing lifelong education. Older learners, defined as those age 35 and up, are becoming an increasingly prevalent student population at colleges and universities.

A recent report from Inside Higher Ed, supported by AARP, calls for higher education to swiftly adapt to the needs of this growing demographic. Dubbed "Generation Now," older adults bring powerful assets to the classroom, including extensive lived experiences, strong intrinsic motivation, and focused goals ranging from career changes to societal contribution.

However, older students often face systemic barriers pertaining to cost, program structure, access to institutional resources, and retention. To successfully engage and support this population, institutions must adopt a multi-faceted strategy focused on flexibility, adaptability, and streamlined processes. To learn more about older learners and strategies to promote success, read the full ATE Impacts post.

ATE Success Tips: Websites

Managing and Updating Your Website

A website often serves as the first point of contact for your audience, making it a powerful tool for representing your project or center. Having one that is informative, thoughtfully designed, and regularly updated helps effectively showcase your innovative work and accomplishments. Because website maintenance can easily be overlooked amid competing priorities, the following strategies are designed to help you streamline updates, preserve accuracy, and ensure your digital presence remains current and engaging.

Prioritize Core Content and Timely Updates

Consistently refreshing your site's content is one of the most effective ways to keep it dynamic and relevant.

  • Review Essential Information: Confirm that staff profiles, "About" sections, and project descriptions accurately reflect your current team, collaborators, and initiatives.
  • Highlight Achievements: Prominently feature recent accomplishments - such as publications, awards, key findings, or major milestones - on your homepage or other high-traffic sections.
  • Enhance Engagement: Incorporate a blog or news section to share timely updates, reflections, and stories that encourage repeat visits.
  • Implement a Maintenance Schedule: Develop a standardized review process with recurring check-ins to integrate site content updates into your regular workflow.

Maintain Technical Quality

A technically sound website reinforces visitor trust, boosts usability, and improves visibility across search engines.

  • Check for Broken Links: Conduct periodic audits, ideally annually, to identify and repair broken internal or external links. Tools such as Google Analytics can help automate this process.
  • Test Across Devices: Ensure your site displays and functions optimally across desktop, tablet, and mobile devices to provide a seamless user experience.

Ensure Quality Control and Efficiency

Regular testing and evaluation help maintain a professional, error-free website while optimizing efficiency.

  • Preview Before Implementation: Review all changes prior to publication to identify formatting issues, broken links, or layout inconsistencies.
  • Leverage Testing Tools: Use built-in preview functions to test new content, layouts, or features before full deployment.

Ready to Get Started?

ATE grantees can easily and quickly establish a professional online presence through ATE Central's Microsite Service, a free resource that enables you to create a customized mini site for your project or center. Use this microsite to highlight key accomplishments, share events and publications, and strengthen connections within and beyond the ATE community.

Did You Know?

According to the Georgetown University Center for Education and the Workforce (CEW), more than 18 million workers with higher education are anticipated to retire over the next seven years. This will surpass the 13.8 million graduates with comparable qualifications expected to enter the workforce.

Learn more about the growing skills shortage by reading CEW's full report.

Select STEM Education Resources

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

Inside Higher Ed: Community Colleges

www.insidehighered.com/news/institutions/community-colleges

The Community College section of Inside Higher Ed provides a detailed look into the key trends and issues shaping two-year academic institutions. The landing page frequently features recent reports, surveys, blog posts, and notable articles from the archives. Core topics commonly highlighted include curriculum development, enrollment patterns, finances, institutional leadership, and data-driven insights.

Wisconsin Center for Education Research

wcer.wisc.edu

The Wisconsin Center for Education Research (WCER), housed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is a leading presence in education research and development. Its website contains information on current projects, working papers, upcoming events, research reports, and more. Visitors can sign up to receive WCER Today, the Center's online newsletter featuring recent accomplishments, stories, and findings.

Center for Research in Scientific Computation

crsc.ncsu.edu

The Center for Research in Scientific Computation (CRSC) at North Carolina State University promotes research in computational science, engineering, and applied mathematics. Its website shares insights into the Center's current and past projects, staff achievements, and various publications. An online database offers viewers the opportunity to dive into over 400 technical reports from 1992 to present.

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
– Gen HACU Annual Conference Aurora, CO
Ag/Env CREATE and EARTh: A Set of Collaborative System Components Modules Online
Info Introduction to Generative AI and Microsoft Copilot for Community College Faculty: 101 Online
Info Introduction to Generative AI and Microsoft Copilot for Community College Staff: 101 Online
– Info 26th Annual ACM Conference on Cybersecurity and Information Technology Education Sacramento, CA
Eng Experience Northland Aerospace Thief River Falls, MN
– Info Implications of Artificial Intelligence for Educators Clearwater, FL
Info Generative AI and Microsoft Copilot for Community College Faculty: 102 Online
Info Generative AI and Microsoft Copilot for Community College Staff: 102 Online
Mfg NCNGM Community of Practice Online
Ag/Env Using the Power of AI to Support Job Task Analysis with the EARTh Center Online
– Info Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2a Workshop Online
Bio/Chem From By-product to Value Add: Scaling Dairy Byproducts through Bioconversion with the UW CDR Online
Gen CCPI-Cast: Developing the Blue-Collar AI Workforce Online
– Bio/Chem 5th Annual 2025 AFCC Global Biobased Economy Conference & Exhibit Oxon Hill, MD
– Gen Accessing Higher Ground Conference Denver, CO
– Mfg Rockwell Automation Fair Chicago, IL
Ag/Env How are You Using AI in Your Courses and Job? Online
– Mfg AMTEC Institute for Industry 4.0 Innovation (AI3) Owensboro, KY
– Bio/Chem 2025 IEDB Virtual User Workshop Online
Mfg Info Session: Using LinkedIn to Navigate the AI-Driven Labor Market Online
Gen Community Conversation: Using AI in Your Project Evaluations Online
Mfg AMTEC Institute for Industry 4.0 Innovation: Applied Innovation: Hands-on Industry 4.0 Applications Online
Info Advancing Native American Youth in Cybersecurity and STEM: A Replicable Model Online
– Info Implications of Artificial Intelligence for Educators San José, CA
– Eng Underwater Intervention Conference New Orleans, LA
Ag/Env KidWind Virtual Workshops - Solar Energy 101 Online
– Info NICE K12 Cybersecurity Education Conference Nashville, TN
Info Implications of Artificial Intelligence for Educators Godfrey, IL
– Gen ACTE CareerTech VISION Nashville, TN
Gen Community Conversations: Reflecting on 2025 – Lessons Learned Online
– Info Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences Lahaina, HI
Info Microsoft Azure AI-900 Training Online

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

ATE Central Ideation Station

The ATE Central Ideation Station is a collection of resources designed to assist current PIs and potential new PIs with identifying the core ideas and activities for their next ATE project or center. It outlines a workflow for identifying components of a new proposal, provides tips on constructing successful proposals, and suggests potential focus areas. Also included are a series of vido interviews with veteran ATE community members who describe their processes and best practices for crafting an ATE proposal.

Professional Development Opportunity: GeoAcademy

The Geospatial Technology Consortium of Community Colleges (GTC3) invites applications for GeoAcademy, an online professional development program designed to expand understanding and application of geospatial technologies. Through structured, hands-on learning and collaborative engagement, participants will explore how geospatial tools can enhance student learning, support research initiatives, strengthen program evaluation, and enrich instructional resources across disciplines. GeoAcademy is open to professionals affiliated with community colleges and related educational institutions, including faculty, librarians, researchers, and instructional designers. No prior experience with geospatial technologies is required.

The application deadline is November 28, 2025. For additional information or to apply, visit GTC3's website.

Community Conversation: Using AI in Your Project Evaluations

Join this online webinar on November 18, 2025, at 1:00PM EST to connect with ATE principal investigators, evaluators, and support staff for a discussion on how artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance project monitoring and assessment. Hosted by EvaluATE, the session will highlight ways that AI strengthens data collection, analysis, and reporting to improve efficiency, deepen evaluation efforts, and uncover meaningful data-driven insights.

For more information and to register for the virtual event, visit EvaluATE's website.

Supplemental Funding Opportunity: NSF DCL Supports AI Initiatives for High School Students

In a recent Dear Colleague Letter (DCL), the National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced an invitation for supplemental funding requests from current Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) and Advanced Technological Education (ATE) grantees to test, integrate, or build upon AI-based career learning opportunities and workforce preparation efforts for high school students.

To be eligible for this additional funding, proposals must demonstrate partnership among community colleges, high schools, and industry collaborators. Supported activities include curriculum development, micro-internships, hands-on training, certification programs, and dual enrollment opportunities.

To determine eligibility prior to official proposal submission, contact the "Expanding AI Career and Skilled Technical Workforce Opportunities in Support of High School Students" program leads by providing a two-page summary of the planned funding request, including its budget, to:

If approved to submit, supplemental requests are due by December 15th, 2025.

NSF ATE and ExLENT program officers will be holding an upcoming information session on October 14th, 2025, from 3:00-3:50PM EST to discuss this funding opportunity, share details of the DCL, and answer any questions. Register for this webinar by visiting NSF's website. Information sessions will also be held at the ATE PI meeting in October 2025 and the ExLENT PI meeting in November 2025.

For more information on eligibility and submission, view the full DCL from NSF.

NSF ATE Program Seeking Reviewers

The National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program is seeking reviewers to help evaluate proposals that advance technician education and the skilled technical workforce. This helps the ATE program fund research and development projects that strengthen two-year college STEM programs, industry partnerships, curriculum innovation, and pathways that prepare the next generation of skilled technicians. Serving as a reviewer is a great way to contribute to the ATE community, support impactful projects, and gain insight into the NSF review process. Reviewers can be STEM professionals, community college STEM faculty and leaders, industry partners, evaluators, or STEM educators. To submit interest in becoming a reviewer, complete NSF's survey here.

ATE Impacts 2024-2025 Book Promotes Technical Education and Celebrates 30 Years

The ATE Impacts 2024-2025 book showcases the work of the National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Education Community. This edition includes a foreword from National Science Foundation Director, Sethuraman Panchanathan, and features the work of 24 centers and 35 projects 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.

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.

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