Student competitions are an engaging way to foster hands-on learning, critical thinking, and collaborative skills in STEM education. These events provide participants with opportunities to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios, connect with industry professionals, and build their portfolios. Within the ATE community, competitions like the  Community College Innovation Challenge (CCIC) and the MATE ROV Competition exemplify how innovation and teamwork can lead to creative approaches and solutions. Whether tackling challenges, exploring innovative designs, or solving complex problems, these competitions showcase the benefits of experiential learning.

In this From the Archive blog post, we share three resources highlighting how ATE engages with student competitions. First, a detailed guide offers a roadmap for preparing students to compete in the Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition. Next, a report provides an inside look at a drone business plan competition, which combines entrepreneurship and technology to engage underrepresented students in the growing drone industry. Finally, we share a video that explores strategies for developing and hosting cybersecurity competitions for those interested in organizing their own. Together, these resources provide inspiration and practical advice for educators and participants alike.

Two years ago Steven Dotts thought he was too busy to become involved in the Estrella Mountain Community College’s remotely operated vehicle (ROV) team as a professor recommended. Dotts works as an aircraft maintenance technician while taking classes at the Arizona college.

Then one day while working in the campus makerspace he heard team members talking. He offered a few suggestions. The team members appreciated his tips and Dotts eventually joined the team. That first year he had minor roles. But before the start of the 2023-2024 he agreed to be Desert Star Robotics team’s chief executive officer.

At the 2024 MATE ROV World Championship, Dotts and his Desert Star Robotics teammates won second place in the PIONEER Class where they competed against other two-year colleges. (The team is in purple in this video about the 2024 competition.)

Dotts received the international competition’s top award – the Martin Klein MATE MARINER Award that includes a $1,000 cash award.

Each year the award is presented by Klein, who is the inventor of the side scan sonar, to a student who demonstrates not only technical aptitude, “but a passion and commitment to the field of marine science and technology,” according to Jill Zande, MATE’s executive director.

Zande reported that the judge who nominated Dotts called him “a prodigy” and in his notes added “But he and the world [have] yet to realize it."

During a plenary session discussion with three other alumni of ATE grant-funded projects at the 2024 Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Principal Investigators’ Conference and in an interview at the conference, Dotts shared insights he gained from his five-plus years of working as an aviation technician and two years of participating in ROV competitions.

The National Applied Artificial Intelligence Consortium (NAAIC) is a new NSF ATE-funded initiative that addresses the growing demand for skilled AI professionals in industries nationwide. A collaboration between Miami Dade College, Houston Community College, and Maricopa County Community College District, NAAIC serves as a bridge between community college academia and industry. By developing innovative training programs, offering mentorship, and fostering partnerships with tech giants like Intel, AWS, Microsoft, and Google, NAAIC empowers community colleges to prepare students for impactful careers in AI.

To tell us more about the work of NAAIC, ATE Impacts interviewed NAAIC Co-PI, Antonio Delgado Fornaguera. Antonio is Miami Dade College’s Vice President of Innovation and as such, has secured over $50 million in grants and has launched key programs like the first Bachelor and Associate degrees in Applied AI in Florida, the NSA-designated Cybersecurity Center of the Americas, and the Electric Vehicle Training Center in collaboration with Tesla.

Through NAAIC, Antonio and his team are advancing the education and training of a diverse technical workforce. By creating pathways to industry-aligned AI certifications, supporting faculty professional development, and building a vibrant community of practice, NAAIC ensures that community colleges remain essential to shaping the future of applied AI education.

Can you talk a little about the creation of NAAIC? What needs in the workforce did you see that led to the development of this consortium? 

The National Applied AI Consortium (NAAIC) was created to address a critical shortage of skilled AI professionals and meet the growing demand for workforce development in artificial intelligence. As AI reshapes industries, employers need a workforce that is not only technically proficient but also capable of applying AI to real-world industry challenges. Community colleges play a vital role in addressing this need, as they can provide accessible, practical training programs that are aligned with local and regional workforce demands. With their focus on affordability and flexible learning paths, community colleges are uniquely positioned to offer hands-on, industry-relevant AI training, making it possible for a broader and more diverse student population to enter the AI field. 

NAAIC draws on the practical experience and leadership of pioneering institutions like Miami Dade College (MDC), Houston Community College (HCC), and Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD), which are the first colleges in the U.S. to develop and implement undergraduate AI degrees. These community colleges bring unique insights into AI workforce development, having created some of the nation’s earliest degree programs tailored to the demands of modern industries in collaboration with companies like Intel, Microsoft, AWS and Google. Their initiatives address the critical shortage of skilled AI professionals by equipping students with foundational and applied AI knowledge that is directly transferable to the workforce.