The  Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Community continues to thrive, marked by significant accomplishments and initiatives that are advancing technological education and fostering diverse talent in community college STEM fields. In this post, we highlight recent innovations and achievements from grantees and provide links to previous posts that provide more details. 

Expanding Horizons with GEOBRIDGES

The GEOBRIDGES program at Central Wyoming College (CWC) is making significant strides in its mission to diversify and strengthen the geospatial workforce. Now in its second summer, GEOBRIDGES utilizes ATE funding to offer stipends for students engaging in applied geospatial science and technology research in the Wind River Mountains. In 2023, 20 students participated, with 30% being Native Americans from local tribal communities. The program offers courses that contribute to CWC's Expedition Science certificate and associate degree, preparing students for entry-level technician roles. Students partake in fieldwork typically reserved for advanced undergraduates and graduates, including presenting at conferences and conducting scientific research.

Santa Barbara City College’s (SBCC) development of a micro- and nanotechnology training boot camp, has benefited from  

• the National Science Foundation’s decades of investment in curriculum and faculty professional development, particularly at the Support Center for Microsystems Education ( SCME);
• expansion of its longstanding partnerships with the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) to access cleanroom facilities; and
• new affiliations with companies that are seeking technicians with cleanroom experiences.

“The building of the relationships—of the connections with industry—that would not have happened if we didn't have that existing connection to UCSB ... having worked with them for a long time and then getting that connection to the NanoFab, which is the location where the industry partners come,” Jens-Uwe Kuhn explained in an interview. He noted that many of the 45 high-tech companies in SBCC’s service area with employees working at the micro- and nanoscale  rent space at times in UCSB’s facilities, which were built with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and other entities.

Kuhn is the dean of Math and Sciences at SBCC and principal investigator of the Central Coast Partnership for Regional Industry Focused Micro/Nanotechnology Education (CC-PRIME),  an Advanced Technological Education (ATE) project funded by NSF.

In the Journal of Advanced Technological Education article “Building a Micro/Nanotechnology Cleanroom Training,” Kuhn and Demis D. John, process scientist manager at UCSB, report on SBCC’s development of training for semiconductor manufacturing technicians without the community college having its own cleanroom. It is a challenge other colleges face because of the cost of building and running such facilities. CC-PRIME is also featured in ATE Impacts 2024-2025.

Summer conference season is upon us, including our own HI-TEC Conference which is just around the corner. Presenters play a crucial role in ensuring that these events are accessible and informative for all attendees. With the goal of making every presentation as inclusive as possible, ATE Impacts has compiled some essential tips and resources to help you prepare your materials.

Accessible Presentation Planning

Getting Organized
Start by outlining your presentation and organizing your thoughts. Consider your audience and their diverse needs. Collect supporting documents and ensure your goals are clear. As you create your presentation, keep accessibility at the forefront. Remember, successful sessions are those that are relevant across different fields, industries, and professional roles.

Timing Your Presentation
Practice makes perfect. Fine-tune your presentation to fit within the 45-minute session length, including time for questions and answers. Keep in mind that real-time at the conference may move faster, so add a buffer of a few extra minutes.

Preparing for Questions
Anticipate potential questions from your audience. Have someone review your presentation and pose questions to you. Think through your responses and have additional resources ready to share.