The National Science Foundation (NSF) annually funds approximately 12,000 new awards, with an average funding duration of three years. Each year some of those new awards are supported by the ATE Program, which focuses on improving and expanding educational programs for skilled workers in high-tech STEM fields. ATE grantees concentrate on a range of fields, including advanced manufacturing, agriculture and environment, bio and chemical, information and security, and micro and nanotechnologies and are based primarily at two-year institutions across the nation. This year we celebrate our new grantees by highlighting four newly funded projects from the 2024 funding cycle. 

Southwestern College Micro-Nano Technology Technical Education Certificate Program

This project addresses the critical national need for a well-prepared workforce in micro- and nano-technology (MNT), a field with growing significance in sectors like electronics, energy security, and biotechnology. MNT involves engineering systems to manipulate matter at micro- and nano-scales, leading to novel technologies with special properties. Despite its importance, opportunities for two-year college students to prepare for MNT careers are limited. The project aims to provide structured educational opportunities for traditional and non-traditional students, particularly from underrepresented and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, to gain the skills necessary for entry-level technical careers in MNT. Key objectives include creating pathways to high-tech careers, developing a mentoring program, recruiting STEM students, refining the curriculum with industry input, and sharing the project's pedagogical model with other institutions. Partnerships with the University of California at San Diego and the Pennsylvania State University Microelectronics and Nanomanufacturing Consortium for Veterans will offer hands-on training and enhance the curriculum, ensuring graduates are ready to enter the MNT workforce.

Critical Environments for Data Center Operations
The data center industry is projected to grow 10% annually through 2030, with global spending on new facilities nearing $49 billion, creating a high demand for a skilled, adaptable workforce. This project aims to develop educational pathways that equip students with the technical skills, competencies, and hands-on experience needed for successful employment in the data center industry, addressing a regional skilled labor shortage. The curriculum will cover multiple technical disciplines, including HVAC systems, electricity, backup generators, automatic controls, security, fire alarms, and energy management. The project team will collaborate with industry and K-12 representatives to guide curriculum development, which will be designed for replication by secondary schools and colleges nationwide. The project’s outcomes will be disseminated through conferences, web-based resources, and shared with other community colleges, with evaluation feedback driving continuous improvement.

Forging a Blockchain-ready Workforce: Preparing Technicians for Success
Blockchain, a transformative decentralized ledger technology, is revolutionizing industries at a pace comparable to the internet's adoption in the 1990s, impacting sectors like finance, healthcare, energy, supply chain, and manufacturing. This project aims to develop an academic program to prepare students as Blockchain technicians, addressing the growing demand for skilled professionals in this field. The curriculum will align with emerging industry standards and consist of four dedicated courses, two stackable micro-credentials, and integration into existing programs, designed to attract a diverse range of students and upskill incumbent workers. The project will also offer professional development for faculty to stay updated on Blockchain innovations, ensuring curriculum sustainability through integration into institutional processes post-grant. The curriculum will be widely shared with stakeholders, and continuous improvement will be guided by formative and summative evaluations.

An Equity Focused Robotics and Automation Education Program for Career Development and Employment

Middlesex Community College (MCC) plans to design an Associate Degree in Science (AS) focused on robotics and automation, using the Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program's business and industry leadership team (BILT) model to inform and validate the curriculum. The project aims to create an employment pipeline and foster career development for MCC’s diverse student population, including high school students in dual enrollment classes, with a strong commitment to equity-based curriculum development. By partnering with industry, MCC will design a career pathway that promotes economic equity by broadening participation of underrepresented groups in the robotics industry. Students will benefit from an inclusive learning environment that enhances retention and success, while equity-focused pedagogical strategies will be implemented and assessed to improve technology education, making it more relevant and evidence-based. This approach is intended to strengthen the workforce pipeline in robotics and automation within the community and region.

To learn more about other newly funded centers and projects, check out the fact sheet information on the ATE Central site to explore the full range of projects and centers currently funded.