Karen White - US grants

The project is a collaborative effort within an education among consortium that consists of eight Minnesota two-year community and technical colleges and Bemidji State University (BSU). The goal of the project is to address the manufacturing workforce needs in Minnesota through an innovative redesign of higher education delivery and its seamless career pathway. The project has four objectives: 1) increase the number of technicians in Minnesota who meet standardized industry credentials, 2) evaluate four pilot certificates and adapt and repackage the pilot certificates into diplomas and AAS degrees, 3) adapt curriculum to create four additional technician-level diplomas and AAS programs across the state that can articulate to BSU's Bachelor of Applied Science Applied Engineering degree, and 4) assure access through online and blended availability. Internal and External Advisory Boards are providing input on direction and the application of resources.

This ATE Regional Center of Excellence is based on a solid foundation of past work and successful multi-institution collaboration. The Center builds on proven programs, curriculum, and partnerships, and takes them to the next level. The Center's guiding vision is a 21st Century education system that prepares individuals to participate fully in rewarding careers in manufacturing and which completely meets the needs of the region's manufacturing employers. A single goal is proposed: to increase the quantity, quality, and diversity of technicians in the field of manufacturing. To accomplish the goal, 360° proposes three objectives: 1) to enhance the pipeline that prepares students for rigorous manufacturing technician-level programs and entices them to pursue manufacturing careers while implementing strategies to target under-represented student groups; 2) to refine industry-driven curriculum that is relevant to today's and tomorrow's manufacturing industry; and 3) to assess student learning with both an internal and external focus: an internal focus to drive ongoing program improvement, and an external focus to provide accountability for all stakeholders and evidence of student achievement.

The proposed activities include two creative and potentially transformative concepts, one designed to engage girls in STEM learning and one exploring the potential of smart devices to deliver modularized curriculum. The comprehensive approach proposed by 360° addresses several areas that will result in improved student learning in technician education programs, including professional development for faculty, integrating 21st Century technology, and strategically engaging employers to drive curriculum refinement. The Center advances discovery and understanding through assessment of student learning outcomes and a careful evaluation of what makes each program effective in preparing students for manufacturing careers. Dissemination of findings will have immediate impact for Minnesota, be expanded to North Dakota in years 3 and 4, and ultimately benefit manufacturing education on a national scale. Four activities focus on engaging underrepresented groups (American Indians, girls, veterans, and rural students) in order to increase diversity in the workforce. The infrastructure for networks and partnerships is enhanced through development of the 360° Community of Practice, building on existing relationships and expanding to include additional public and private partners. Center goals and activities are a response to real and immediate needs in Minnesota's workforce.

360 Manufacturing and Applied Engineering ATE Regional Center of Excellence (360 Center) addresses critical manufacturing workforce needs that are imperative to our nation's economic strength and national defense. The 360 Center team is comprised of 15 higher educational institutions (14 of which are 2-year colleges), manufacturing associations, and manufacturers. The Center uses SMART goals, including baseline measures, tied directly to the needs of the manufacturing industry to develop and expand technician education programs resulting in improved student learning, making manufacturing education programs more accessible, and leading to more individuals being qualified for employment in the manufacturing industry. The use of Creative Commons licenses and the archiving of materials with ATE Central will ensure that innovative best practices and discoveries have nationwide impact, as they will be broadly shared with the ATE network and other key stakeholders.

The 360 Center will expand and improve the 360 eTECH high school program; expand the 360 Advanced Manufacturing Education Mediated Telepresence model to meet technician education needs; develop a 360 Center Competency-Based Education model integrated into the 360 Seamless Career Pathway; develop and deploy 360 Advanced Skills curriculum and courses, aligning with the Career Pathway; expand Dream It! Do It! Minnesota recruitment strategies; and increase the number of females gaining new and improved manufacturing skills. Target audiences are secondary school students and teachers, parents, advanced manufacturing technicians, traditional and non-traditional students, and females.