Development and Implementation of a Laboratory Project to Promote Pre-engineering and Marine Robotics Technology in Regional High Schools

对有技术素养的工人的需求正在增加。然而，许多学生还没有为技术职业做好充分的准备。需要一个将技术培训带入高中的计划，显著提高学生和教师对技术教育的兴趣，然后鼓励更多的学生在大学阶段参加这些计划。该项目通过向地区高中提供水下机器人项目来完成这一使命。阿尔文社区学院最近获得批准，提供一年制证书和两年制海洋机器人技术应用科学副学士学位课程。德克萨斯州高等教育协调委员会认识到这一计划的必要性，以帮助为需求职业提供经过适当培训的劳动力。该学院目前正在将海洋技术教育扩展到地区高中。该项目正在创建一个海洋机器人实验室，配备完整的设备和教育支持，并将这些材料提供给10所地区高中的选定高中班级。教师培训是在最初的介绍和后续访问中提供的，以促进将技术融入正常课程。高中辅导员和职业和技术教育主任正在挑选适当的大二和初中班级接受这种培训。作为这一教育体验的一部分，我们特别针对代表性不足的群体，特别是少数族裔和女性学生。该项目正在努力在区域高中实施创新和高技术教学，随后的目标是培养进入海洋机器人领域的高技能人才。

The demand for technologically literate workers is increasing. However, many students are not being adequately prepared for technical careers. A program is needed that will take technical training into high schools, significantly raise the interest level among students and teachers for technology education, and then encourage more students to enroll in these programs at the college level. This project is accomplishing this mission by delivering an underwater robotics program to regional high schools. Alvin Community College recently received approval to offer both a one-year certificate and a two-year Associate in Applied Science degree program in Marine Robotics Technology. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board recognized the need for this program to help supply a properly trained workforce for a demand occupation. The College is now expanding the delivery of this marine technology education into area high schools.This project is creating a marine robotics lab, complete with equipment and educational support, and delivering these materials to selected high school classes in 10 regional high schools. Teacher training is provided during the initial presentation and through follow-up visits in order to facilitate the integration of technology into the normal curriculum.High school Counselors and Career and Technology Education Directors are selecting appropriate sophomore and junior level high school classes to receive this training. We are specifically targeting under-represented groups as part of this educational experience, particularly minority and female students. The project is striving to implement innovative and highly technical instruction into regional high schools with the subsequent goal of producing highly skilled individuals to enter the marine robotics field.