Improving Access to Career Pathways in Advanced Manufacturing

随着大型制造商不断迁入内华达州的里诺地区，对熟练技术人员的需求也在不断增长。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生进入先进制造业学院双招生计划的机会来满足这一需求。 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，一个新的就业技能课程将被开发并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）提供更多的学术途径，以获得先进制造副学士学位; 2）帮助学生学习制造商所需的关键技术技能; 3）帮助学生学习被雇用、保持就业和在技术职业生涯中前进所需的就业能力技能。先进制造业现有的双招生课程将扩大到该地区更多的高中。将开发多媒体培训演习，包括模拟、增强现实和使用先进的增强现实耳机和软件为场外地点提供电子培训材料。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，领导力，自我管理和社会责任的指导。 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NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力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.