Creating New Aerospace Technician Pathways Using Space Materials Design and Fabrication Skills Training

工程技术方面的培训和认证为学生进入航空航天技术人员队伍提供了途径。目前，佛罗里达州东北部的航空航天工业缺乏合格的技术人员。要想在航空航天领域取得成功，学生需要学习使用轻质材料设计和制造产品的相关技能。这包括对用于制造这些产品的技术的理解，如增材制造、纤维复合材料制造、聚合物制造和金属加工中的计算机数控。该项目将在现有的工程技术学位课程中创建一个新的课程，重点关注这些技能和技术。当学生完成课程后，他们将有机会获得三个行业认证。学生将通过实践培训学习如何使用这些制造技术。为了增加航空技术人才的培养，将对高中学生实行双轨制。项目成果和教育资源将通过教育技术学院中央门户网站提供。该项目的目标是增加佛罗里达州东北部合格航空航天技术人员的数量。该项目将：(1)在当前的工程技术学位课程中创建一个新的先进材料设计制造轨道，(2)帮助学生获得至少三个行业认可的空间材料制造证书，(3)开发空间材料制造实验室，帮助学生学习制造技术，(4)为中学生创造职业道路。利用佛罗里达先进技术教育中心的最佳实践以及现有的机构计划，项目团队将从代表性不足的群体中招募学生，以扩大航空航天技术劳动力的参与。社区大学教师和中学教师的专业发展将提供有关空间材料和制造技术的实践培训。该项目将通过比较前后测试的结果来评估学生因新课程而获得的学习成果。学生调查将被用来评估项目活动对学生归属感和自我效能感的影响。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。

Training and certifications in engineering technology provide pathways for students to enter the aerospace technician workforce. Currently there is a shortage of qualified technicians for the aerospace industry in Northeast Florida. To be successful in the aerospace workforce, students need to learn skills associated with the design and fabrication of products using lightweight materials. This includes an understanding of the technologies used to create these products such as additive manufacturing, fiber composites fabrication, polymer fabrication, and computer-numerical control in metal working. This project will create a new curriculum within an existing engineering technology degree program that focuses on these skills and techniques. As students complete courses in the program, they will have the opportunity to earn three industry certifications. Students will learn how to use these manufacturing technologies through hands-on training. To increase the number of students in the aerospace technician pipeline, dual enrollment courses will be offered for high school students. Project results and educational resources will be made available through the ATE Central Portal.The goal of this project is to increase the number of qualified aerospace technicians in Northeast Florida. The project will: (1) create a new Advanced Materials Design in Manufacturing track within the current engineering technology degree program, (2) prepare students to earn at least three industry-recognized credentials in space materials manufacturing, (3) develop a Space Materials Manufacturing Laboratory to help students learn manufacturing techniques, and (4) create a career pathway for secondary students. Using best practices from the Florida Advanced Technological Education Center as well as existing institutional programs, the project team will recruit students from underrepresented groups to broaden participation in the aerospace technical workforce. Professional development for community college instructors and secondary teachers will provide hands-on training on space materials and fabrication techniques. The project will assess student learning gains due to the new curriculum by comparing the results of pre- and post-tests. Student surveys will be used to assess the impact of project activities on students’ sense of belonging and self-efficacy. 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.