A Collaborative Approach to Expanding Nondestructive Testing Education within a Welding Program

该项目旨在解决无损检测技术人员日益增长的需求。无损检测是使用超声波和x射线分析等技术来检测结构、车辆或容器的安全性。无损检测技术人员帮助美国船舶、车辆、管道和基础设施行业满足质量和安全保证要求，从而防止伤害或生命损失。无损检测工人的短缺是由于高行业需求和缺乏培训计划造成的。因此，该项目建议建立一个新的应用科学副学士学位课程和两个专门的无损检测证书课程。本课程有潜力提高教育机构提供课堂培训的能力，从而获得美国无损检测协会二级认证。还将开展活动，促进高技术职业的多样化，重点征聘高中学生和在这一就业部门尚未得到充分代表的群体的在职工人。课程的创新方面将包括：(1)重点关注焊接测试，在AAS学位课程中整合无损检测和焊接课程内容；(2)与美国无损检测协会认证标准保持一致，以确保毕业生准备的最高质量。该项目的目标是：(1)开发射线检测和超声波检测证书课程，以满足美国无损检测协会II级课堂要求；(2)将两个证书与副学士学位课程相结合，为学生创造灵活的学习途径；(3)使用新的放射检测和相控阵超声检测教学设备加强学生的学习；(4)招募和招收高中生和在职工人，以获得无损检测证书的新途径。一项研究将增加关于招聘活动有效性的新知识，包括在夏令营和双招生焊接课程中引入的活动。项目评估将考察行业关系、课程开发、新设备使用和招聘活动的有效性和影响，以及预期的学习成果和与学生和雇主需求的一致性。这个项目可以为无损检测的职业和教育途径提供一个模式，其他学院可以复制或适应。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。

This project aims to address the growing unmet need for skilled technicians in nondestructive testing. Nondestructive testing is used to test the safety of structures, vehicles, or vessels using technologies such as ultrasound and X-ray analysis. Nondestructive testing technicians help U.S. vessel, vehicle, pipeline, and infrastructure industries meet quality and safety assurance requirements, thus preventing injury or loss of life. The shortage of workers in nondestructive testing results from both high industry demand and a shortage of training programs. Consequently, the project proposes to develop a new Associate of Applied Science degree program and two specialized certificate programs in nondestructive testing. This curriculum has the potential to increase the capacity of educational institutions to provide classroom training leading to American Society for Nondestructive Testing Level II certification. Activities will also be developed that promote diversity in high technology careers by focusing recruitment efforts on high school students and incumbent workers from groups that are not yet well represented in this employment sector. Innovative aspects of the curriculum will include: (1) a focus on weld testing, with an integration of nondestructive testing and welding curricular content in the AAS degree program; and (2) alignment with American Society for Nondestructive Testing certification standards to ensure the highest quality of preparation for graduates. The project’s objectives are to: (1) develop curricula for radiographic testing and ultrasonic testing certificates that lead to fulfillment of American Society for Nondestructive Testing Level II classroom requirements; (2) to align the two certificates and the associate’s degree program to create flexible academic pathways for students; (3) to enhance student learning with new equipment for teaching radiographic testing and phased array ultrasonic testing; and (4) to recruit and enroll high school students and incumbent workers in the new pathways to earning nondestructive testing credentials. A research study will add new knowledge regarding the effectiveness of the recruitment activities, including activities introduced in a summer camp and in a dual enrollment welding curriculum. The project evaluation will examine the effectiveness and impact of industry relationships, curriculum development, use of new equipment, and recruitment activities, with regard to the intended learning outcomes and alignment with the needs of students and employers. This project can provide a model for career and educational pathways in nondestructive testing that other colleges may replicate or adapt. 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.