Improving Access to Career Pathways in Advanced Manufacturing

随着大型制造商不断进入内华达州里诺地区，对熟练技术人员的需求日益增长。满足对先进制造技术人员的需求对于支持该地区先进制造业的成功以及支持该地区的经济发展目标至关重要。该项目旨在通过增加高中学生进入大学先进制造双招生计划的机会来解决这一需求。它将通过在高中开发和使用增强现实和模拟实验室体验来实现这一目标。此外，将开发新的就业技能课程，并将其整合到先进制造课程中，为学生在工作场所取得成功做好准备。该项目的目标是：1)提供更多通往先进制造副学士学位的学术途径；2)帮助学生学习制造商所需的关键技术技能；3)帮助学生学习就业技能，这些技能是被雇佣、保持就业和在技术职业中取得进步所必需的。现有的先进制造业双招生课程将扩大到该地区更多的高中。将开发多媒体训练练习，包括模拟、增强现实和使用先进增强现实耳机和软件的非现场电子训练材料。就业技能课程将包括协作和团队合作、沟通、批判性和创造性思维、领导能力、自我管理和社会责任方面的指导。该项目由先进技术教育计划资助，该计划侧重于为推动国家经济的先进技术领域培养技术人员。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，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，被认为值得支持。

As large manufacturers continue to move into the Reno, Nevada area, there is a growing need for skilled technicians. Filling this demand for advanced manufacturing technicians is critical to support the success of the region's advanced manufacturing industry, as well as to support the region’s economic development goal. This project intends to address this need by increasing access of high school students to the college’s dual enrollment program in advanced manufacturing. It will do so by developing and using augmented reality and simulated lab experiences at the high schools. In addition, a new employability skills curriculum will be developed and integrated into advanced manufacturing courses, to prepare students for success in the workplace.The goals of this project are to: 1) provide greater access to academic pathways leading to an Associate Degree in Advanced Manufacturing; 2) help students learn the critical technical skills needed by manufacturers; and 3) help students learn employability skills that are needed to be hired, stay employed, and advance in a technical career. Access to an existing dual enrollment curriculum in advanced manufacturing will be expanded to more high schools in the region. Multimedia training exercises will be developed including simulations, augmented reality, and electronic training materials for off-site locations using advanced augmented reality headsets and software. The employability skills curriculum will include instruction in collaboration and teamwork, communication, critical and creative thinking, leadership, self-management, and social responsibility. This project is funded by the Advanced Technological Education 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.