RET in Engineering and Computer Science Site: Research Experiences in Mechatronics, Robotics, and Industrial Automation

该奖项用于资助德克萨斯A&A&M大学(TAMU)在谢胜仁(Tony Hsieh)博士的指导下，为德克萨斯农工大学(TAMU)工程和计算机科学领域教师研究经验(RET)项目提供资金，该项目为期三年，题为“工程和计算机科学领域的RET：机电一体化、机器人和工业自动化领域的研究经验”。自动化对我们的工作方式产生了深远的影响，机电一体化和机器人技术是工业自动化的基石。美国制造商正在寻找高技能工人，以招聘工业自动化和控制工作。该RET网站将允许12名参与职业与技术教育(CATE)的高中和两年制大学教师(三年内36名)积极参与TAMU的机电一体化、机器人和工业自动化研究和课程开发，该项目为期六周，并在学年期间开展后续活动。在暑假期间，参与者将：1)与教师研究导师一起参与一个研究项目，并就他们的项目制定海报和演示；2)参加专题报告和实地参观；3)开发一个教学模块，教授与他们研究领域相关的主题；以及4)参加每周一次的关于如何撰写提案的系列研讨会。在接下来的学年中，他们将1)在课堂上实施他们的教学模块并评估学习结果；2)修改模块并总结评估结果；3)参加春季研讨会，展示结果，传播开发的材料，并评估计划；4)向其他老师介绍他们的暑期经历。将建立一个在线社区，使参与者能够在学年期间继续与项目工作人员和彼此交流。CATE教职员工参与大学研究的机会相对较少。这一拟议的RET站点计划将为CATE教师提供与TAMU的研究人员合作并建立长期关系的机会，TAMU是一家一级研究机构。研究和教育的整合，以及高质量课程材料和教学资源的增加，将加强机电一体化、机器人和自动化方面的教育，并最终帮助美国劳动力在这些领域更具竞争力。

This award provides funding for a three year continuing award to support a Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) in Engineering and Computer Science Site program at Texas A&M University (TAMU) entitled, "RET in Engineering and Computer Science Site: Research Experiences in Mechatronics, Robotics, and Industrial Automation", under the direction of Dr. Sheng-Jen ("Tony") Hsieh. Automation has a profound effect on the way we do work, and mechatronics and robotics are the building blocks for industrial automation. U.S. manufacturers are seeking highly skilled workers to hire in industrial automation and control jobs. This RET Site will allow twelve high school and two-year college faculty (36 over three years) involved in career and technology education (CATE) to actively participate in Mechatronics, Robotics, and Industrial Automation research and curriculum development at TAMU during a six week summer research program with follow-up activities during the academic year. During the summer the participants will: 1) engage in a research project with faculty research mentors and develop a poster and presentation about their project; 2) attend special topic presentations and site tours; 3) develop an instructional module to teach a topic related to their research area; and 4) participate in a weekly workshop series on how to write a proposal. During the following academic year, they will 1) implement their instructional modules in their classrooms and assess learning outcomes; 2) revise the modules and summarize results from the assessment; 3) participate in a spring workshop to present results, disseminate developed materials, and evaluate the program; and 4) give a presentation about their summer experience to other teachers. An online community will be developed to allow participants to continue to communicate with project staff and with one another during the academic year. Opportunities for CATE faculty to participate in university research are relatively few. This proposed RET Site program will provide opportunities for CATE faculty to collaborate and establish long-term relationships with research faculty at TAMU, a Tier 1 research institution. The integration of research and education, along with increased availability of high quality curriculum materials and instructional resources will strengthen education in mechatronics, robotics and automation and ultimately help the U.S. workforce to be more competitive in these areas.