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

该项目旨在解决日益增长的无损检测技术人员的需求。 无损检测用于使用超声波和X射线分析等技术来测试结构、车辆或船只的安全性。 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，从而防止人员伤亡。无损检测工人短缺是由于行业需求高和培训项目短缺造成的。因此，该项目建议开发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。该课程有可能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性，将招聘工作的重点放在高中生和来自这一就业部门尚未充分代表的群体的在职工人身上。课程的创新方面将包括：（1）专注于焊接测试，在AAS学位课程中整合无损检测和焊接课程内容;以及（2）与美国无损检测协会认证标准保持一致，以确保毕业生的最高质量准备。该项目的目标是：（1）开发射线检测和超声波检测证书的课程，以满足美国无损检测协会二级课堂要求;（2）调整两个证书和副学士学位课程，为学生创造灵活的学术途径;（3）利用新的放射线测试及相控阵超声波测试教学设备，加强学生的学习;以及（4）招募和招收高中生和在职工人在新的途径，以获得无损检测证书。一项研究将增加关于招聘活动有效性的新知识，包括夏令营和双招生焊接课程中介绍的活动。项目评估将审查行业关系、课程开发、新设备的使用和招聘活动的有效性和影响，以达到预期的学习成果，并与学生和雇主的需求保持一致。这个项目可以提供一个模型的职业和教育途径，在无损检测，其他高校可以复制或适应。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。

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.