Robotics Awake: Promoting the Diffusion of Innovation through Curriculum Development and a Technician Training Community College Extension Model

维克技术社区学院(Wake Tech)将与行业合作伙伴合作，开发培训技术人员在先进制造应用中操作、使用和编程轻型工业机器人的课程。这一模式能够将技术人员培训作为社区学院推广工作的基础，以促进可能有助于区域经济发展的创新的传播。该项目将通过实现现代化和提高当地制造商的竞争力以及招募不同的学生学习先进的制造技能来影响该地区。这一ATE项目的总体目标将通过以下方式实现：(A)与行业伙伴建立合作；(B)在先进制造课程中开发和传播机器人教育；(C)改善学生的学习、表现和工业技能的获得；以及(D)通过技师教育开发工业推广模式。为了实现这个项目的目标，维克科技将利用与70多家当地制造公司、北卡罗来纳州立大学、北卡罗来纳工场和职业介绍所的关系。这项计划旨在招收和服务120名学生在项目的三年期间。项目活动包括：(A)创建一个行业伙伴关系小组，重点是将协作机器人融入当地制造工厂；(B)为维克理工学院和邻近的三所社区学院的教员提供专业发展；(C)发展工业推广伙伴关系；(D)开发和实施两门课程和证书；(D)建立支持实践课程的设备；(E)通过外联努力招收不同的学生；以及(F)为未来社区学院的推广工作开发和评估模式。项目团队和独立评估者将对维克科技作为知识中心在轻工业机器人技术人员教育创新传播中的作用进行案例研究。该项目将通过面向学生的新课程和与区域行业的合作产生更广泛的影响。该项目将通过帮助当地中小型制造企业提高生产率和竞争力，并在周围社区和附近的社区大学产生乘数效应，为当地和地区带来好处。

Wake Technical Community College (Wake Tech) will collaborate with industry partners to develop curricula for training technicians in the operation, utilization, and programming of light industrial robots in advanced manufacturing applications. This model enables the use of technician training as a basis for community college extension work to promote the diffusion of innovations likely to contribute to regional economic development. The project will impact the region through modernization and improved competitiveness of local manufacturers as well as by recruiting diverse students to learn advanced manufacturing skills. The overarching goals of this ATE project will be achieved by: (a) building collaborations with industry partners, (b) developing and disseminating robotics education in advanced manufacturing curricula, (c) improving student learning, performance and industrial skill acquisition, and (d) developing a model for industrial extension through technician education. To achieve the goals of this project, Wake Tech will leverage relationships with over 70 local manufacturing companies, North Carolina State University, North Carolina Works, and employment agencies. This program is designed to recruit and serve 120 students over the three year duration of the project. Project activities include (a) the creation of an industry partnership group focused on integration of co-robots in local manufacturing plants, (b) professional development for faculty from Wake Tech and three neighboring community colleges, (c) developing industrial extension partnerships, (d) development and implementation of two courses and certificates, (d) establishing equipment to support hands-on curricula, (e) recruiting diverse students though outreach efforts, and (f) developing and evaluating a model for future community college extension work. The project team and independent evaluator will conduct a case study of Wake Tech's role as a knowledge hub in the diffusion of the innovation of technician education in light industrial robots. This project will produce broader impacts through new curricula for students and collaboration with regional industry. The project will provide local and regional benefits by assisting local small to mid-size manufacturing businesses in increasing productivity and competitiveness with multiplier effects in the surrounding communities and nearby community colleges.