Improving the Education of Mechatronics Technicians

蓝领工作正在被“新领”工作所取代，这些工作利用技术来解决多学科问题。在劳工部贸易调整援助社区学院和职业培训计划下的联邦资金支持的先前成就的基础上，该项目侧重于机电一体化的新领领域，它结合了机械，电子和计算机技术。 机电一体化技术人员与3D打印机，机电系统，机器人设备和其他技术合作，为从农业和先进制造业到可再生能源和电信等行业做出贡献。 该项目将实施西门子机电一体化系统课程，以开发可堆叠的，行业认可的认证计划和理学学士学位。西门子课程采用系统方法进行机电一体化教育，强调多种技术如何共存和相互作用。这种方法可以帮助学生学习如何排除故障，维护和操作整个自动化系统，而不仅仅是单个组件。 因此，完成机电一体化认证和/或学位的学生将为成长中的行业的高薪工作做好准备，从而为美国熟练的技术劳动力和经济做出贡献。本项目有四个目标：1）重新开发课程，将现有的先进制造机电一体化证书与西门子机电一体化1级认证相结合; 2）为学院教师提供专业发展和培训，以获得西门子1级机电一体化讲师认证; 3）调查在以后实施西门子2级认证所需的程序增强; 4）提高对当地涉及机电一体化的先进制造业的兴趣和认识。该项目将利用其他NSF先进技术教育（ATE）项目的工作来构建低成本的机电一体化培训套件，并将其开发的课程和材料传播给ATE社区。随着传统制造业变得更加自动化和依赖计算机，对具有高级解决问题技能的技术人员的需求正在增加。该项目将有助于培养下一代熟练的技术工人。 该项目由NSF ATE计划资助，该计划专注于推动国家经济的先进技术领域的技术人员教育。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估而被认为值得支持。

Blue collar jobs are being replaced with "new-collar" jobs that use technology to solve multidisciplinary problems. Building on prior accomplishments supported by federal funding under the Department of Labor's Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training program, this project focuses the new-collar field of mechatronics, which combines mechanical, electronic, and computer technologies. Mechatronics technicians work with 3D printers, electromechanical systems, robotic devices, and other technologies to contribute to sectors ranging from agriculture and advanced manufacturing to renewable energy and telecommunications. The project will implement the Siemens Mechatronic Systems curriculum to develop a stackable, industry-recognized certification program and an Associate of Science degree. The Siemens curriculum uses a systems approach to mechatronics education that emphasizes how multiple technologies coexist and interact. This approach helps students learn how to troubleshoot, maintain, and operate an entire automated system, rather than just individual components. As a result, students who complete the mechatronics certification and/or degree will be prepared for well-paying jobs in growing industries, thus contributing to the US skilled technical workforce and economy.This project has four goals: 1) redevelop the curriculum to realign the current Advanced Manufacturing Mechatronics Certificate with the Siemens Mechatronics Level 1 Certification; 2) provide professional development and training for College faculty to earn Siemens Level 1 Mechatronics Instructor certification; 3) investigate the program enhancements needed to implement Siemens Level 2 certification at a later date; 4) raise interest in and awareness of an advanced manufacturing career involving mechatronics in the local area. The project will leverage the work of other NSF Advanced Technological Education (ATE) projects to build low cost mechatronics training kits and will disseminate the curriculum and materials it develops to the ATE community. As traditional manufacturing becomes more automated and dependent on computers, the need for technicians with advanced problem-solving skills is increasing. This project will contribute to educating this next generation of skilled technical workers. This project is funded by the NSF ATE program that focuses on the education of technicians for the advanced-technology fields that drive the nation's economy.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.