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.

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

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.

In This Issue

Featured Resources: Information and Security Technologies

From National Cybersecurity Training and Education (NCyTE) Center:

Cyber Heist Toolkit

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcUuk6XsiYU

This hour-long webinar from the National Cybersecurity Training and Education (NCyTE) Center highlights Sticker Heist, an innovative, hands-on learning activity designed to introduce foundational cybersecurity concepts through collaboration and problem-solving. In this game-based exercise, student teams race against the clock to solve a series of puzzles that ultimately unlock a box of stickers. The webinar discusses the project's development, hardware set-up, and corresponding resources for educators.

From ATE Central:

ATE Student Success Stories: Elias's Story (Series 3)

atecentral.net/success#Elias

Produced by the Internet Scout Research Group, this video is part of the ATE Student Success Stories series, which highlights the achievements of students enrolled in community college programs supported by ATE grants. In this five-minute profile, Elias Marcet discusses his experiences with Miami Dade College's cybersecurity program, reflecting on his enrollment journey, the hands-on opportunities he received, and his pathway to employment with Amazon.

From Cybersecurity Education for Advanced Manufacturing Organizations:

CAMO Summary Paper

atecentral.net/downloads/38405/CAMO_Summary_24.pdf

This 15-page report from the Cybersecurity Education for Advanced Manufacturing Organizations (CAMO) project outlines the development of training scenarios designed to strengthen cybersecurity practices in manufacturing and improve security awareness among engineering technicians. The report presents an overview of the scenarios, discusses potential influences on student learning, and highlights key lessons learned throughout implementation.

Community Connection

A Call to Action: AACC's New Leadership and Report Inspire a Resilient Future for Community Colleges

Released on the day that Dr. DeRionne P. Pollard became president and CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), Resilient by Design: The Future of America's Community Colleges provides a comprehensive examination of the pressures and opportunities shaping two-year academic institutions today. The 64-page report highlights how demographic shifts, declining enrollment, technological innovations, evolving workforce demands, and broader economic and political dynamics are reshaping higher education. Describing Resilient by Design as "a mirror, a map, and a call to action," Pollard urges community college leaders and educators to pursue transformation through data-informed decision-making, collaboration, and innovation.

To learn more about the Resilient by Design report and its implications for community colleges, read the full blog post on ATE Impacts.

ATE Success Tips: Outreach

Leveraging ATE Central's Outreach Kit

Effective outreach doesn't happen by chance - it's an ongoing, dynamic process that benefits from thoughtful planning and a clear sense of direction. With so many moving pieces, having a well-organized strategy can make all the difference in showcasing the work and impact of your ATE project or center.

ATE Central's Outreach Kit provides a structured step-by-step framework to help you design and implement an outreach plan aligned with your goals. The kit offers practical guidance on defining objectives, organizing activities, and developing strategies that support sustained engagement and dissemination. Fillable templates, which complement the online toolkit, guide users through each stage of the planning process - from clarifying core objectives and identifying key audiences to establishing cohesive branding and messaging.

The ATE Central Outreach Kit includes:

  • Overview: A summary of the resource and suggestions for effective use.
  • Outreach Inventory: Guidance on setting high-level goals, identifying prospective audiences, cultivating partnerships, and mapping your outreach pathways.
  • Branding and Messaging: Recommendations for creating consistent, engaging communication through visual design, tone, and evergreen content.
  • Outreach Planning: Tools to help you prioritize goals and align outreach activities with the mission of your ATE project or center.
  • Final Thoughts and Further Reading: Concluding remarks with additional resources on social media, website content, SMART goals, and branding.

Ready to get started? Explore ATE Central's Outreach Toolkit today.

Did You Know?

A recent survey from Inside Higher Ed found that just 27% of students feel they fully understand the total cost of attending college. Similarly, nearly a quarter of respondents (24%) said that an unexpected expense of $2,500 or more could jeopardize their continued enrollment.

To explore students' perspectives on cost and the financial challenges they face, see the full article from Inside Higher Ed.

Select STEM Education Resources

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

Journal of Artificial Intelligence Research

www.jair.org/index.php/jair

The Journal of Artificial Intelligence Research (JAIR) promotes the sharing of knowledge and research relevant to the global artificial intelligence (AI) community. Its website features current publications and resources on a wide range of topics, including agents, automated reasoning, machine learning, and more.

Microsoft in Education

www.microsoft.com/en-us/education/educators

Microsoft in Education provides a comprehensive online hub of resources for teachers across all levels and subjects. The site features guided lesson plans, AI training programs, technology best practices, cybersecurity tools, and curated resources aimed at supporting both educators and students.

Cybersecurity Curriculum Resources

niccs.cisa.gov/education-training

The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS) resource library provides educators with the tools to incorporate cybersecurity concepts into the classroom setting. It links users to a comprehensive collection of courses, learning platforms, and workforce development opportunities.

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
– Eng Underwater Intervention Conference New Orleans, LA
Info Navigating Cyber Threats: Insights and Resources from CISA Online
Info Implications of Artificial Intelligence for Educators Godfrey, IL
Bio/Chem BioBuilder: Building Inclusive Pathways into the Bioeconomy Online
Ag/Env KidWind - 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
Mfg Keeping Your PEACE: Women in Manufacturing Education Foundation's Virtual Learning Series Online
Bio/Chem Community Capabilities Webinar | AVN: Supporting Bio-Based Chemical Process Technology Development Online
Gen Community Conversations: Reflecting on 2025 – Lessons Learned Online
– Info Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences Lahaina, HI
Mfg Scouting America Badging Day Thief River Falls, MN
Ag/Env KidWind - Wind Energy 101 Online
Info Generative AI and Microsoft Copilot Training for Community College Faculty and Staff: 101 Online
Info Google's Generative AI Leader Training and Certification Online
– Eng SPIE Photonics West 2026 Online
Info Generative AI and Microsoft Copilot for Community College Faculty: 102 Online
Info Generative AI and Microsoft Copilot for Community College Faculty: 102 Online
Bio/Chem Community Capabilities Webinar | The NCERC Experience Online
Info Microsoft Azure AI-900 Training Online
Bio/Chem Introducing BioSuite Virtual: Immersive Biomanufacturing Training for Tomorrow’s Workforce Online
– Eng Spray Drone End User Conference Kansas City, MO
– Gen AACC's Workforce Development Institute 2026 New Orleans, LA
– Gen Conference for Industry and Education Collaboration (CIEC) New Orleans, LA
Info Generative AI and Microsoft Copilot Training for Community College Faculty and Staff: 101 Online
Info AI in Healthcare: A Faculty Primer for Community Colleges Online
– Info Geo Week Denver, CO
– Info Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education St. Louis, MO
– Info NAAIC AI Summit: Building the AI Workforce through Community Colleges Miami, FL
Bio/Chem The 2026 Wistar Institute Trainee Research Symposium Philadelphia, PA

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

Conference for Industry and Education Collaboration (CIEC)

The 50th annual American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Conference for Industry and Education Collaboration (CIEC) will take place February 3-6, 2026, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Organized by ASEE's Cooperative and Experiential Education Division (CEED), College Industry Partnership Division (CIPD), Continuing, Professional, and Online Education Division (CPOED), and Engineering Technology Division (ETD), the conference brings together educators, government representatives, and industry professionals to build effective and sustainable partnerships. Attendees can engage in poster sessions, workshops, training programs, keynote presentations, and panel discussions. The theme for 2026 is "Transforming Tomorrow Together." For more information or to register, visit ASEE's website.

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 video interviews with veteran ATE community members who describe their processes and best practices for crafting an ATE proposal.

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.

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.

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.


To unsubscribe to the ATE Central Connection, please reply to this e-mail with "unsubscribe" in the subject field or body of the e-mail, or use your ATE Central account to unsubscribe at atecentral.net. For any other subscription questions, please e-mail [email protected].