Adapting Nanoscience Curriculum to a Collaborative Delivery System

这个项目建立在学院最近建立的纳米科学技术副学士学位课程的基础上。该计划是在宾夕法尼亚州立大学、达科他县技术学院和明尼苏达大学之前由NSF资助的项目的基础上开发的。目前，学生们需要在明尼苏达大学完成最后一个学期的学习。为了更好地满足威斯康星州西部学生和行业的需求，该项目将三所院校联合起来，共同开发当地的顶石学期。CVTC、威斯康星大学Eau Claire分校和威斯康星大学Stout分校利用地理上的接近并专注于每个机构最擅长的领域，开发了一种不同寻常的协作式交付系统。学生在最后一个学期参加所有三个校区的课程。课程的设计得到了地区性行业的大力支持。业界代表还可从获得本地再培训和继续教育机会中受益。此外，该计划通过消除不方便和昂贵的搬迁需要，更好地服务于代表性不足的群体的个人。该项目包括以下主要活动：o调整明尼苏达大学的课程，以更好地满足当前和预计的地区劳动力的需求；o通过三所专上院校的合作，提供纳米科学技术副学位课程顶峰学期的课程；o开展高中外展活动，以确保人们对纳米技术职业的持续兴趣。在NSF支持的先前工作的充分了解下，这三个机构正在推进最近为两年制纳米科学教育制定的课程。此外，该项目在应对多机构合作的后勤挑战方面做出了新的贡献。该项目的更广泛影响是由于威斯康星州西部纳米技术的新兴性质。这个项目只代表了三个高等教育机构合作的一个方面。其他努力包括制定新的衔接协议，计划购买设备以避免重复，以及创建双学分课程。此外，CVTC目前正在开发NanoRite创新中心，这是一个为利用纳米技术和其他先进制造的新兴公司设立的孵化中心。预计威斯康星州西部将在这些行业的发展中发挥主要作用。通过合作，这三所大专院校可以最好地支持这一增长。

This project builds on the College's recently-established Nanoscience Technology Associate Degree program. The program was developed based on prior NSF-funded projects at Pennsylvania State University, Dakota County Technical College, and University of Minnesota. Students presently need to enroll in a final capstone semester at University of Minnesota. To serve the needs of students and industry in western Wisconsin better, this project brings together three institutions to develop a local capstone semester. By capitalizing on geographic proximity and focusing on what each institution does best, CVTC, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, and University of Wisconsin - Stout have developed an unusual, collaborative delivery system. Students attend classes at all three campuses in their final semester. Curriculum is being designed with significant input from regional industry. Industry representatives also benefit by access to local re-training and continuing education opportunities. In addition, the plan better serves individuals of underrepresented groups, by eliminating the need for an inconvenient and expensive relocation. This project includes the following key activities:o Adaptation of University of Minnesota curriculum to better address needs of the current and projected regional workforceo Delivery of the capstone semester in the Nanoscience Technology Associate Degree program via collaboration of three post-secondary institutionso High school outreach activities to ensure continued interest in nanotechnology careersIntellectual merit of the project is multi-faceted. Well-informed by prior work supported through NSF, the three institutions are advancing recent curriculum development for two-year nanoscience education. In addition, the project is making a new contribution in confronting logistical challenges of multi-institution collaboration.The broader impacts of the project are due to the emerging nature of nanotechnology in western Wisconsin. This project represents just one facet of collaboration across the three post-secondary institutions. Other efforts include development of new articulation agreements, planned equipment purchases to avoid duplication, and creation of dual credit courses. In addition, CVTC is currently developing the NanoRite Center for Innovation, an incubation center for emerging companies utilizing nanotechnology and other advanced manufacturing. Western Wisconsin is expected to play a major role in the development of these industries. The three post-secondary institutions can best support this growth by working together.