ERIC ED468769: TECHcitement: Advances in Technological Education.

23 Pages·2002·0.84 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
ED 468 769
JC 020 624
TECHcitement: Advances in Technological Education.
TITLE
American Association of Community Colleges, Washington, DC.
INSTITUTION
National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA.
SPONS AGENCY
2002-00-00
PUB DATE
NOTE
22p.
DUE-9908191
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AVAILABLE FROM
For full text: http://www.aacc.nche.edu/.
PUB TYPE Reports Descriptive (141)
EDRS Price MF01/PC01 Plus Postage.
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*Access to Computers; *College Curriculum; Community
DESCRIPTORS
Colleges; *Computer Uses in Education; Environmental
Education; Institutional Cooperation; Teacher Certification;
*Teacher Education; *Technological Literacy; *Technology
Education; Two Year College Students; Two Year Colleges
ABSTRACT
This publication includes seven articles. "ATE Grants
Generate Life-Changing Experiences" discusses the National Science
Foundation's (NSF) Advanced Technological Education (ATE) grants, which
provide seed money and other support that community college educators use to
enhance technical training and improve math and science instruction. "Phone
Call Has an Environmental Impact," discusses a collaboration between a
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) professor and a community college
teacher of environmental technology. NSF funding has helped them develop
curriculum modules that use MIT research. "ATE Changes Students' Lives"
describes a program at L.A. Trade Technical College in Los Angeles, in which
students are part of industry-standard testing procedures that utilize real-
world chemical systems in a six-module curriculum. "iTEC Adds Soft Skills to
Best of Breed IT Curricula" describes a collaborative program at Daytona
Beach Community College in Florida that supplements the best information
technology certification programs with Teach the Teachers (T3) instruction.
Instructors who go through the iTEC program receive instruction for
certification in computer programs and pedagogy for presenting the new
software. "Mentorships Advance Community College Innovations" describes ways
that mentors can be utilized in the area of technology. Finally, "Teacher
Preparation" details the role community colleges play in helping to resolve
the urgent need for certified teachers across the nation.
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American Association for Community Colleges
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2
Advances in Technological Education
ATE Grants Generate Life-Changing Experiences
For the faculty who receive them
are improving curricula with infu-
riculum used by seven California
and the students who benefit
sions of real-world tasks, critical
community colleges. This cutting-
from them, the National
thinking skills, and innovative teach-
edge curriculum blends academic
Science Foundation's (NSF)
ing techniques. Students emerge
and vocational material with industry
s
_,Nt.
0
,9"
Advanced Technological
from ATE-supported programs
skill standards.
/...
0 well prepared to perform
Education (ATE) grants
Jones County Junior
,c.
generate life-changing
complex tasks in the modem
College's (JCJC) enrollment grew by
oG
experiences. The grants
workplace.
1,200 students in two years with a
provide seed money and other
new ATE-funded information tech-
Judith Rama ley, assistant direc-
support that community college edu-
tor of the Education and Human
nology (IT) program. Ninety percent
cators use to enhance technical
Resources Directorate of the
of the college's IT graduates find
training and improve math and sci-
National Science Foundation, told a
work in their field immediately;
ence instruction. With awards of up
gathering of ATE grant
to $1 million a year for five years, the
"Don't underestimate your ability to change
recipients that their proj-
grants offer a significant financial
ects represent the nation's
your world."Keith Clay, principal
boost. to community colleges.
growth stock. This growth
The result has been a plethora
stock is powerfully influ-
investigator for the teacher preparation
of new and improved educational
encing corporations, insti-
program at Green River Community College,
programs. These programs are
tutions, and individuals.
attracting new students into techni-
Consider the following:
Auburn, Washington
cal fields, as well as strengthening
Officials at Xircom,
basic math and science courses. In
now a subsidiary of Intel, decided to
some are recruited as early as the
the year 2000 alone, more than
stay in California when the
autumn before graduation. Such a
340,000 students were enrolled in
California Regional Consortium for
large number of JCJC's IT graduates
classes directly connected to ATE
Engineering Advances in
want to continue learning that the
N
grants. Countless others were taught
Technological Education (CREATE),
University of Southern Mississippi
by teachers who attended ATE work-
funded by ATE, began turning out
created an IT program to cater to
O
shops or used ATE-generated cur-
well-trained engineering technicians
them. In fall 2000, this baccalaureate
1/
riculum materials.
for the company to hire. There are
program had 250 students.
0
Across the nation, ATE grants
105 courses in the CREATE cur-
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
Inside...
Phone Call Has an Environmental impact, p. 9
ATE Changes Students' Lives, p. 10
iTEC Adds Soft Skills to Best of Breed IT Curricula, p. 12
Mentorships Advance Community
College innovations, p. 14
Teacher Preparation, p. 1.6
3
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ATE Grants Generate Life-Changing Experiences
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Doris Garcia, a Mexican
not limited to discipline. There is a
The ATE program was the first
immigrant student at Los Angeles
true sense if we help each other, we
congressionally mandated program at
Trade Thchnical-College, never
all rise higher." Kabati.,ensch is
the National Science Foundation,
thought she was good at math. But
director of the Advanced Technology
which was itself created by Congress
when a professor working on an AVE
Environmental Education Center in
in 1950 as an independent U.S. gov-
project told her about the opportuni-
Bettendorf, Iowa. It was one of the
ernment agency. NSF's mission is "to
ties available to people with techni-
first ATE centers funded in 1994.
promote the progress of science; to
cal degrees, Garcia was persuaded to
advance the national health, prosper-
HISTORY
enroll in higher-level math and sci-
ity, and welfare; and to secure the
ence courses. To her delight, Garcia
More than 400 ATE grants have
national defense."
has learned that she is capable of
been awarded since the program
In 1992, concern about. the
understanding these challenging sub-
began in 1994. Approximately $220
shortage of workers with technical
jects. She will soon complete an
million had been distributed by the
skills and the potential negative
associate degree in chemical end of 2001. At the beginning of
effect of this shortage on the nation's
technology.
2002, there were 12 centers of excel-
economy prompted Congress to pass
Because ATE grants are in
lence and 200 projects receiving
the Scientific and Advanced Tech-
many instances the largest single
ATE funding from the National
nology Act authorizing the ATE pro-
Science Foundation.
gram. The legislation stipulated that
Centers of excellence
community colleges would lead the
"Ours is like it is in the real world."Jones
are multicollege efforts
effort "to expand the pool of skilled
that are intended to
technicians in strategic, advanced
Junior College student Crystal Dyess,
achieve broad, strategic
technology fields, to increase the
comparing the troubleshooting in her classes
improvements in particu-
productivity of the nation's indus-
lar disciplines of techni-
tries, and to improve the competi-
with her friend's lessons at another college
cian education such as
tiveness of the United States."
manufacturing, biotech-
Community colleges have a
source of money a community col-
nology, and information technology.
long history of responding to local
lege receives outside its customary
They typically receive $5 million
needs and working closely with busi-
funding from state and local govern-
over six years. ATE-funded projects
ness and industry. The ATE program
ments, colleges have an incentive to
focus on specific curriculum
solicitation strongly encourages com-
compete for them. The rigorous
changes, professional development,
munity college faculty members who
application process compels appli-
and other aspects of technician edu-
apply for the awards to include part-
cants to refine their thinking.
cation at particular community col-
ners from business, industry, second-
In addition to the money, win-
leges. The average project grant has
ary schools, four-year colleges, and
ning a grant places recipients within
been about $400,000.
other two-year associate degree-
the ATE network, where some of the
A major goal of the AVE pro-
granting institutions in the planning
most innovative educators in the
gram is to broadly distribute curricu-
and execution of their ideas. So far,
nation formally and informally
la and other educational products
ATE grants have generated 15,000
exchange ideas. Speaking of the col-
created by ATE centers and projects.
collaborations, according to data
legiality that typifies ATE confer-
NSF hopes that this dispersal of
gathered by the Evaluation Center at
ences, Ellen Kabat Lensch says,
innovative instructional materials
Western Michigan University.
"The sharing and the camaraderie is
will encourage others to adopt and
"All the projects we saw really
what is just amazing here, and it's
adapt the work of grant recipients.
are phenomenal," says Frances
4
F
BEST COPY AVAILABI.
Advances in Technological Education
VISION
1..,awrenz, Wallace Professor of
development program won the
Teaching and Learning at the
Each of the ATE centers and proj-
national Hesburgh Award, sponsored
University of Minnesota, who is
ects started with an idea. Often the
by the Thachers Insurance and
one of the Evaluation Center's
Annuity Association College
idea had been incubating in a profes-
researchers. "When we did the evalu-
Retirement Equities Fund. "One of
sor's mind for a long time as a dream
ation site visits I really was impressed
improvement he or she would make
the best benefits has been the
with the quality of the work. We saw
if only the college had the money.
[improved] morale of faculty," says
amazingly dedicated people putting
"It provides an opportunity to run
Kathleen A. Alfano, principal investi-
in enormous amounts of effort."
with our ideas," explains Bill
gator of CREATE.
Lawrenz recognizes the immense
Hodgkinson, principal investigator
Some of the colleges were
challenge of improving the quality of
for the 21st Century Urban
already working on endeavors that
technical education throughout the
Technical Education project that
were eventually funded with ATE
country. She believes that the ATE
links Milwaukee Area Technical
grants, but the awards helped them
program is a good start to meeting
College's curriculum with a techni-
achieve their goals more quickly or
that challenge because it provides
cal high school and a university. The
move their plans to a higher level.
"infrastructure improvements in the
project also connects students to
"With the NSF grant we went for-
intellectual capital" of the nation.
apprenticeships.
ward with strength," says Elaine
In other instances, ATE grant
Johnson, the director of the National
Center for Biotechnology Education,
applications started as potential solu-
For a summary of the Evaluation Centers
tions to problems within a discipline
which is known as Bio-Link. City
findings. go to www.wmich.edulevalctrlate.
or an industry. For seven small com-
College of San Francisco, which
munity colleges north of
leads Bio-Link, would have had a
Angeles, the problem
program to improve biotechnology
l..,os
was declining enroll-
instruction even without the grant,
ments in computer and
Johnson says, but it would not have
had the national influence that Bio-
electronics classes and a
poor job-placement rate
Link does.
One of the most distinguishing
for graduates in an area
that is blanketed with
aspects of the ATE program is the
high-tech companies.
passion that participants bring to
Deciding to cooperate
their work. Ask an ATE grant recipi-
rather than compete, the
ent about what he or she is doing,
colleges formed CRE-
and the conversation becomes decid-
ATE, the California
edly one-sided. The person cannot.
Regional Consortium for
talk fast enough. Listeners are shown
Engineering Advances in
photographs, handed brochures or
Thchnological Education. Aided by
informational CDs, or given a
Jones County Junior College students
an ATE grant, the colleges worked
demonstration of the equipment
Crystal Dyess (back) and Amy Janeen McCully
together to overhaul their curricula
used to educate students. This is not
talk with John Vos, Paducah Community College
and to start a faculty development
a sales pitch. The educators are sim-
professor, at the 2001 ATE Conference in
program. Enrollment at the seven
ply excited about what they are
Washington. D.C.
institutions has grown dramatically,
doing, and they like sharing what
and in 1999 CREATE's faculty
CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
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5
en
IL
ATE Grants Generate Life-Changing Experiences
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3
they know. Their enthusiasm sus-
major industry involvement, commu-
copies of the millennium edition of
tains them through the difficulties of
nity college administrative activities,
the standards were sold to corpora-
doing groundbreaking work.
and faculty collaborations operate on
tions, educational institutions, and
"Everyone in this room is
the basis of plans spelled out in ATE
government agencies. An update of
doing this at some level as a labor of
grants. With so much at stake, broad
the standards was released in
love," James Jacobs commented dur-
December 2001, and another is
institutional support of a grant's goals
ing an ATE conference as grant reci-
is imperative. But it is not enough to
expected in June 2002. Julie
pients nodded in agreement. Jacobs
craft grant applications as entrepre-
Freeman, a member of the center's
is associate director for community
neurial pursuits: "It's not about the
team, says creating the IT Skill
college operations for the Commun-
money; it's about the vision."
Standards opened new doors with IT
ity College Research Center (CCRC)
"If you do what you actually
industry leaders like Microsoft. "It
at Columbia University. CCRC has
said you're going to do [on the grant
put us in a leadership role where we
an ATE grant to analyze the institu-
application], you work really hard,"
could work collaboratively." She
tional impact. of the Al
grants. Part
says Lillie RR Crowley, a mathemat-
adds, "It gave our college a national
of the research, scheduled for release
ics professor at Lexington Com-
presence we never had before."
in fall 2002, will consider how ATE
munity College who has been the
The Maricopa Advanced
programs can be sustained after their
principal investigator for several ATE
'Technology .Education Center
NSF funding ceases.
grants. "You have to be crazy to work
(MATEC) in Tempe, Arizona, de-
that hard," she jokes. Crowley
veloped the first industry-wide skill
For more information on the findings of the
explains that she and her colleagues
standards for semiconductor manu-
Community College Research Center go to
in the Kentucky Community and
facturing in conjunction with the
www.tc.columbia.edu/CCRC.
'technical College System keep tack-
Semiconductor Industry Association,
Jacobs reports that the CCRC
ling ATE projects because "it's an
its ATE center partner. "We wouldn't
researchers, who visited 10 commu-
opportunity to make a difference."
have attempted it without the NSF
nity colleges for their case studies,
funding," says Michael I..,esiecki,
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
found that ATE grants have far-
MATEC's principal investigator. The
reaching effects. In addition to cur-
ATE grants are igniting an education
competencies identified in the skill
ricular changes and other education-
revolution that influences how peo-
standards are the basis for a modular
al outcomes, the grants can influ-
ple learn and improves how they
curriculum that MATEC delivers
ence such institutional operations as
work. The grants are particularly
electronically in customized pack-
bookkeeping procedures and hiring
influential in cutting-edge technolo-
ages to colleges and businesses.
decisions. "ATE is a very, very sig-
gies. The following programs are a
Students use computer simulations
nificant program for community
sample of how ATE grants make a
of processing equipment for experi-
colleges, and it has been very helpful
difference.
ments. Faculty receive electronic
to many community colleges. And
With its NSF grant, the
support as well as access to a
when it is used appropriately, it is a
National Center for Emerging
MATEC clearinghouse. Sales of
plus for community college develop
Technologies at Bellevue
instructional materials now provide a
merit," he says.
Community College in Washington,
significant portion of the center's
Successful ATE programs are
developed the rr Skill Standards
funding.
driven by a strong vision of institu-
that businesses and trade associations
Bio- .Link, the National Center
tional improvements that fit what a
now use to delineate information
for Biotechnology Education, offers
college's private-sector partners need,
technology job skills and to assess job
free frequently updated professional
according to Jacobs. He notes that
performance. More than 2,000
development materials and tech-
6
BESTCOPYAVNLABLE
Advances in Technological Education
1,000 other community college edu-
ity's state-of-the-art equipment has
become an effective recruitment tool
cators. "Tye seen this huge growth in
for the rural community college,
them. Five years ago all they knew
according to Christine Prout, the
was how to stand up in front of the
principal investigator at the Center
class and lecture," she says. Using
for Excellence in Forestry, Paper,
case studies to teach technical skills
and Chemical Technology. Students
makes it easier for students to trans-
enrolled in the college's Pulp, Paper,
fer knowledge from one situation to
and Chemical Technology program
another on the job: "We can actually
not only get experience using sophis-
affect how adaptable and changeable
ticated equipment, but they are also
our graduates are."
'be Northwest Center for eligible for scholarships, paid intern-
ships, arid full-time jobs with 14
Sustainable Resources, based at
Chemeket.a Community College in
companies assisting with the center.
Ibrahim Mustafa Ekin. a multimedia programming
Industry is gaining, too, by having a
Oregon, used its six-year, $5 million
and design student at the Borough of Manhattan
more ample supply of competent
grant to develop an environmental
Community College. presents his work at the 2001
science curriculum that encompass-
technicians.
ATE Conference.
es forestry, fisheries, wildlife, agricul-
HOW THE GRANTS
niques for improving student learn-
ture, and geographic information sys-
ACCOMPLISH SO MUCH
tems. Six community colleges in the
ing on its Web site. As the principal
investigator for Bio-Link, Elaine
Pacific Northwest were involved in
As significant as the monetary awards
creating the new curriculum; five
are, the ikTE grants accomplish
Johnson has been asked to sit on
much more than dollars alone might
national committees where she has
others were test sites for the new
predict. The grants have a multiplier
influenced decisions about biotech-
courses. "This grant has really
nology policy. "We're educating
helped us to blossom, to move for-
effect. because the businesses and
industry about community colleges,"
industries that become partners in
ward incredibly," says Susie Kelly,
Johnson says, noting that many of
the center's project director. "It has
centers and projects donate their
the business leaders with whom she
expertise and services. The
added dimensions so students are
has talked had previously hired only
Evaluation Center estimates that
getting a better education." She adds
people with bachelor's degrees and
that students emerge from the ATE programs have received $14
above. Many of them are now hiring
million in monetary donations and
revamped program with a much
$16 million from in-kind contribu-
greater understanding of biology and
associate degree holders.
Since 1996 the Southeast ecosystem management. Because of
tions. In many cases, NSF funds also
Advanced Technological Education
NSF's support, the center is able to
serve as seed money that attracts
provide its curriculum and training
Consortium, based at Nashville State
additional financial support from
Technical Institute, has worked
materials to educators free. "We like government programs, corporations,
directly with 200 college instructors,
to give the taxpayer money back to
and philanthropical organizations.
teaching them how to use case stud-
the educators," Kelly says.
Principal investigators describe
ies in their lessons, according to
The process control pilot facili-
the multiplier effect of the ATE
Sydney Rogers, the center's principal
ty built at Alabama Southern
grants as one of the most gratifying
Community College with ATE funds
investigator. Rogers estimates that
aspects of winning an award. They
the center's promotion of case-based
is a boon to the college, its students,
note that the National Science
instruction has indirectly affected
and processing companies. The facil-
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
7
ATE Grants Generate Life-Changing Experiences
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
thing was getting the minds of the
made the critical difference in win-
Foundation's prestige gives their
college thinking about the technolo-
ning curriculum approval. First, the
efforts a credibility they would not
multimedia program was selected by
cry 7 and we have that much more
otherwise have. The grants act as cat-
because of Gail's visit." Since the
the American Association of
alysts for galvanizing support within
visit, college administrators have
Community Colleges (AACC) and
the academic community and attract-
agreed to set aside space in a new
Microsoft to participate in the
ing business and industry partners.
technology building for a GIS lab
Working Connections mentoring
The coalitions of educators and busi-
and classroom.
program, which provided advice,
nesspeople provide a range of assis-
tance that helps grant recipients
$270,000 in grants, and $1.5 million
LEVERAGE
accomplish their goals. This record
in software. The progress made with
this grant helpedBMCC win the
Vincent A. DiNoto, director of IT
of performance is then used by most
ATE grant to help it develop the new
Fast-Track, said the first ATE grant
principal investigators to secure more
multimedia curriculum. Since then
that the 28-college Kentucky
funding from other sources. ATE
conferences and the communication
Community and 'Technical College
the program has received a $400,000
that NSF encourages among grant grant from the Fund for the
System received with Lexington
grant from
Community College helped attract
recipients have frequently fostered
of Postsecondary
Education (FIPSI) and a $300,000
additional funds at a rate of more
other multidisciplinary endeavors.
than 3 to 1. rr enrollment also grew
grant from the Minority Science
PRESTIGE
Engineering Improvement Program,
from 50 students to 597 in three
both from the U.S. Department of
After educators at CUNY-Borough of
years.
Manhattan Community College
Education. The success of this ATE grant
(.BMCC) won an ATE grant, the
led to statewide participation in
Just a campus visit by an NSF-
funded mentor can help a fledgling
New York State Department of Working Connections, a Microsoft-
Education approved the project's
funded grant that provided
program. "Everybody's willing to
curriculum for Multimedia
$300,0000 and software with a retail
believe an expert," says rIbra
Programming and Design in weeks Johnson, an adjunct professor at
value of $10 million to a free certifi-
rather than the usual months. Mary Cape Cod Community College who
cation program that teaches comput-
Alice Cohen, the principal investiga-
is developing the Geographic
er operation and repair skills to low-
tor and computer information sys-
income people. Those who complete
Information Systems (GIS) curricu-
terns professor at the college, reports
lum there. Gail Hobbs, a Pierce
the program get to keep their com-
puters. This new IT curriculum
that only a few months before the
College geography professor and
curriculum was approved, City
principal investigator of an ArE
helped the Kentucky system win an
ATE grant for a regional IT center
grant, visited the Massachusetts cam-
University of New York professors
questioned whether teaching stu-
pus on behalf of AACC's Mentor-
and another grant to support profes-
dents how to make computer-based
Links: Advancing Technological
sional development for secondary
interactive products was "a viable
Education program. in addition to
and postsecondary educators
college-level curriculum." The pro-
pointing out how GIS could be used
throughout the state. In 2001, the
gram, which combines art, music,
by students to map a campus arbore-
system received two more ATE
computer, and communications
tum during her visit, Hobbs was the
grants. One will be used to adapt
featured guest and speaker during
classes, is now considered a separate
and implement the SCANS (The
and unique part of the college's
meetings with the college president,
Secretary's Commission on
faculty, and business leaders.
offerings.
Achieving Necessary Skills) skills
Cohen thinks a few grants According to Johnson, "An important
that were developed at Johns
8
Advances in Technological Education
ADI is a partner of the College of
Advanced Technology Education
Hopkins University with NSF sup-
the Canyons in Santa Clarita,
Center (MATEC) in Arizona. The
port; the other will help the colleges
implement the South Carolina ATE
California, one of seven community
.Maricopa Community College
model for developing college-level
District had been working on local
colleges involved in CREATE.
academic skills among disadvantaged
ADI donates 2,500 square feet
issues with SEMKPF.::CH, a precom-
college freshmen. "It's taking our
of space at its manufacturing facility
petitive semiconductor manufacturing
curriculum to where we could not
in Santa Clarita for the college to
research and development consortia,
really have gone on our own,"
use for classes. Eighty companies, before receiving an ATE, grant in
including some of ADfs competitors,
Di Noto says of the .KIF; funding.
1996 to create MATEC. At the urg-
Catherine Perry Cotten, the
ing of Cathleen A. Barton, who ran a
have sent employees to this space for
principal investigator at Jones
training, says Dena Maloney, dean of
SEMATECH program to build the
economic development at the
County Junior College in .E,11isville,
technical workforce, MATEC adopted
Mississippi, says that when the college
College of the Canyons. ADI also
a national focus and put representa-
asked that $75,000 of its "use tax"a
won its first ATE grant, which it used
tives from semiconductor companies
to create the Network
from across the country on its advisory
Training for Educators
panel.
program, it seemed that
Barton, who is now with the
"We get experience at a national lab we
every employee promoted
Semiconductor Industry Association,
otherwise would not have had.
Daniel
the program because they
is co-principal investigator of
were so proud. "The pub-
MATEC's ATE grant. She says,
Westfall, a student at SUNY-Alfred State
licity gave the college a lot
"A key component of the technician
College who was able use the visualization
of credibility," she reports.
partnership strategy was to ensure
Overall college enroll-
that we had relevant curriculum and
theater at Brookhaven National Laboratory in
ment grew by 1,200
trained faculty, which was MATEC's
students in two years.
charter. And so began a hand-in-
Long Island to make three-dimensional
Recruiters now come to
glove relationship." MAFEC also
models of tomography data
the campus each Septem-
embarked on a national advertising
ber to hire students who
and marketing effort to attract
will graduate from the IT program
California tax on equipment pur-
students.
chased out of statego directly to
the following May. "Because of this
"Because of the model of
grant we've leveraged six million
CREATE for equipment. "Because
national collaboration with both
more dollars from other sources,"
the project had such an impact on
semiconductor companies and
Cotten adds.
the industrial base of the community,
colleges across the country for cur-
the city council was willing to do it,"
riculum and faculty development,
BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS
Maloney says. ADI's collaboration
as well as skill standards, the work
"Industry is clever in different ways
with the College of the Canyons
MATEC does is viewed as highly
from community colleges," says
won the statewide Business
collaborative with strong support and
Kathleen Alfano, the principal inves-
Partnership of the Year award, given
buy-in. It is viewed as the place for
tigator of CREATE. She cites the
by California's community college
core curriculum and development.,"
leadership of Aerospace Dynamics
chancellor, in 1999.
Barton responds when asked about
International (ADI) as a prime exam-
An ATE grant enhanced the
the genesis of this remarkable part-
ple of the contributions businesses
relationship between the semicon-
nership. The skill standards in
make to the success of ATE grants.
ductor industry and the Maricopa
CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
9
emert
ATE Grants Generate Life-Changing Experiences
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7
MAT'EC's curriculum influence the
The successful collaboration
According to Ames, when representa-
expectations that semiconductor
between the alliance, representing
tives of the 260 companies with pro-
companies have for technicians
the major petrochemical and refin-
cessing facilities along a 1.00-mile
because they are "thorough, accu-
stretch of the Texas Gulf Coast first
ing industries, and 23 community
rate, and well- developed, and vetted
met in 1995 to discuss high attrition
colleges and universities, as well as
by both industry and college
among their workers due to retire-
business and government, is a model
partners."
ments, they wanted to solve a local
others are using. "We're bringing
Along the Gulf Coast, an ATE
problem. As these businesspeople
people in from all over the country,"
grant has transformed training for the
talked with community college edu-
Ames reports. In Alaska, for instance,
petrochemical and refining industry
cators about their need for "a techni-
petroleum companies and unions
by funding the creation of guides
cian of the future to keep competi-
formed the Alaska Process industry
used to train process technicians in
tive with overseas," they learned that
Careers Consortium in 1999 to train
programs that lead to associate
each college had its own training
replacements for retiring pipeline
degrees in applied science. The
methods that did not even use the
workers. I.,ess than six months after
same terms for identical
its first meeting, the consortium had
courses based on the process techno-
operations.
"It's just fascinating... [In] the classes I was
The companies
logy center's curriculum in place at
formed the Gulf Coast
three University of Alaska campuses.
taking [before], I never felt like I was geared to
Process Technology
a career. This introduced me to all sorts of
NETWORKING
Alliance and began work-
ing with several commu-
Winning an ATE grant makes grant
options."Amy Fitch of her courses at the
nity colleges to draft
recipients part of the ATE network, a
College of DuPage
skills-based course
resource that many participants con-
sider one of the unquantifiable
descriptions. A state
Perkins Grant paid for
bonuses that come with the grant
guides are now in use at community
the initial steps in developing eight
money. NSF expects all grant recipi-
colleges in Texas, Louisiana,
core courses. Then, in 1999, the
ents to respond to questions about
Montana, Mississippi, Oklahoma,
College of the Mainland won a
their programs, and provides contact
Illinois, Kentucky, New Jersey,
$900,000 ATE project grant to create
information including phone num-
Alaska, New Mexico, and the Virgin
a Center for the Advancement of
bers, addresses, and e-mail addresses
Islands. "Everybody's using our ma-
Process `Technology. With advice
for every ALE center and project.
terial. Our material applies anywhere
from industry experts, educators used
The informal network is nurtured at
around the country [because] a
the NSF money to write instruction
annual ATE conferences for grant.
pump is a pump," says Steve D.
manuals for the eight new courses. A
recipients, which AACC organizes
Ames, president of the Gulf Coast
$921,000 Department of Labor grant
with support from NSF.
Process Technology Alliance and a
was used to recraft the information
Michael Lesiecki, MATEC's
process training coordinator for
for the Internet. "Without these
principal investigator, describes these
ExxonMobil's facility in Baytown,
grants, the [curriculum] standards
cordial gatherings as unique academ-
Texas.
would not have happened so quick-
ic meetings. He contends that infor-
The widespread use of a stan-
ly," Ames says. Funds generated by
mation is more easily exchanged at
dard curriculum based on industry
the Web-based courses and manual
these conferences than at other col-
practices is an amazing, rapid
sales will help cover the costs of
lege conventions because everyone,
advance in the petro-chemical field.
keeping the materials up to date.
has had the experience of writing a
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