(October 2023) - Rayla Trigg replaced Tim Driver as Co-PI, due to Driver's retirement. Trigg worked closely with PI Baker and former Co-PI Driver to develop and plan the project, and has transitioned seamlessly into the Co-PI role. Trigg is supporting PI Baker in following the project plan to achieve project goals and objectives, while adhering to the project timeline. She also serves as the primary contact for the project's external evaluator.
Trigg attended the 2023 National ATE Principal Investigators' Conference along with Baker. In addition to gaining valuable information on the critical issues related to advanced technological education, they made many contacts during the conference and were able to meet their external evaluator.
The National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program has been funding innovation at two-year colleges for over twenty years. With a focus on the education of technicians for the high-technology fields that drive our nation's economy, and strong partnerships between academic institutions and industry, ATE promotes improvement in the education of science and engineering technicians at the undergraduate and secondary school levels.
To learn more about ATE, please visit the NSF ATE program home page.
(July 2023) A three-year, NSF-ATE funded project at West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) will update the Advanced Manufacturing curriculum to meet the needs of area manufacturers. The overall goal of the project is to better prepare students to enter the STEM workforce with industry-aligned classwork, while meeting area industry need for digitally-skilled Advanced Manufacturing technicians.
The project will utilize an advisory team which includes industry partners to align curriculum with industry need. Students will benefit from revised training relevant to the Advanced Manufacturing environment and earn nationally-recognized, stackable industry certifications in 24 months or less. Faculty associated with the project will benefit from professional development with updated equipment and teaching methods.
Because WKCTC has a high population of rural students who are underrepresented in their pursuit of STEM pathways, this project has the potential to broaden participation in the STEM workforce and generate new knowledge on the degree to which revised teaching methods and stronger industry and K-12 partnerships prepare students for industry employment.
The project will update and enhance technician training courses specific to advanced sensors, robotics, and artificial intelligence systems. Six principle activities provide a framework for the project's execution.
First is the provision to WKCTC faculty of training so they are qualified to teach latest-generation Industry 4.0 technology curriculum. Second is updating existing Electrical, Industrial Maintenance, and Air Conditioning Technology courses to meet industry standards. Third is to add and embed relevant, nationally recognized industry certifications into coursework. Fourth is updating student lab equipment to align with what is being used by regional employers, and fifth is to engage industry partners in curriculum design and student learning. Sixth, and finally, is offering annual workshops for high school partners to increase awareness of programs, training, and career options in Industry 4.0 available to their students.
(April 2024) In preparation for making curriculum updates, PI Jonathan Baker is reading PLC and HMI Programming Using Studio 5000® and FactoryTalk® View by Wade Wittmus. This book explains the basic concepts and procedures used to navigate the software and create PLC instructions and touchscreen applications. Wittmus' book will help PI Baker construct updates to course lab exercises using NSF-funded PLC and robotics project equipment to simulate real-world technician responsibilities in the region's advanced manufacturing facilities.
