List
ATE is Advanced Technological Education. With an emphasis on two-year colleges, the National Science Foundation's ATE program focuses on the education of technicians for the high-technology fields that drive our nation's economy.
ACTE CareerTech VISION
Conference
December 9 Nashville, TN
ACTE's CareerTech VISION is the must-attend event for career and technical education (CTE) professionals. Happening Dec. 9-12 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee, VISION offers comprehensive programming covering high-quality CTE in secondary and postsecondary environments and emerging trends in the field to help career and technical educators thrive in their careers. VISION provides attendees with a rich array of networking opportunities, an Expo, hundreds of concurrent program sessions, and numerous networking opportunities.
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Keeping Your PEACE: Women in Manufacturing Education Foundation's Virtual Learning Series
Webinar
December 9
December doesn’t have to mean burnout. Join for a refreshing 60-minute virtual session to reflect, recharge, and learn how to keep your PEACE through the busiest season of the year.
These webinars are FREE for Women in Manufacturing members and only $35 for nonmembers, making them accessible and valuable for all professionals.
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Community Capabilities Webinar | AVN: Supporting Bio-Based Chemical Process Technology Development
Webinar
December 9
Hear from Jack Dever, Chief Technology Officer at AVN, who will introduce AVN’s capabilities for process development and talk through their process, including work they have done to develop a technology package for converting glucose to a commodity chemical.
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Community Conversations: Reflecting on 2025 – Lessons Learned
Meeting
December 16 Online
In this community conversation, ATE PIs, project evaluators, and staff will reflect on the lessons learned throughout 2025 and discuss how these insights can be applied to enhance evaluation practices moving forward.
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Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences
Conference
January 6 Lahaina, HI
Since 1968, the Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS) has been known worldwide as the longest-standing working scientific conferences in Information Technology Management. HICSS provides a highly interactive working environment for top scholars from academia and the industry from over 60 countries to exchange ideas in various areas of information, computer, and system sciences. According to Microsoft Academic, HICSS ranks the 36th in terms of citations among 4,444 conferences in all fields worldwide.
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Scouting America Badging Day
Student Event
January 10 Thief River Falls, MN
Scouting America Merit Badge Day will be held at Northland Community & Technical College. Scouts will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of engaging classes, including Aviation, First Aid, Welding, Law Enforcement, and Citizenship in the Nation. This event is designed to give Scouts hands-on learning experiences while working toward their merit badges.
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KidWind - Wind Energy 101
Workshop
January 10 Online
Join for this wind-focused, three-hour virtual workshop to explore the science of wind power!
During this virtual workshop, educators will learn the foundations of wind power including the science and technology of wind turbines and blade design. Presenters will also introduce activities for the classroom that engage students in dynamic, hands-on energy-based learning.
Registration closes December 27th so you receive materials prior to the workshop.
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Generative AI and Microsoft Copilot Training for Community College Faculty and Staff: 101
Webinar
January 15
This session is designed for community college faculty and staff exploring the fundamentals of Generative AI and Microsoft Copilot. Topics include Generative AI and responsible AI use, effective prompting techniques, and real-world applications in education. This session will provide practical insights and hands-on guidance to help integrate AI tools into your work.
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Google's Generative AI Leader Training and Certification
Meeting
January 16 Online
Become one of the first go-to resources and thought leaders in Generative AI Leadership, enhancing your visibility and influence within the organization. This no-cost opportunity, funded by Google Cloud’s Career Launchpad, and in collaboration with NAAIC, will prepare community college faculty for the Google Cloud Generative AI Leader certification.
The training will cover:
- Fundamentals of Gen AI
- Google Cloud's Gen AI offerings
- Techniques to improve Gen AI model output
- Gen AI business strategies
Training sessions
Session 1: January 16, 2026, 10 to 4:30 PM EST, online
Session 2: January 23, 2026, 10 to 4:30 PM EST, online
Office hours (optional): January 30, 2:30 to 4 PM EST, online
Certification exam deadline: January 31, 2026
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SPIE Photonics West 2026
Conference
January 19 Online
SPIE Photonics West is the premier event for lasers, biomedical optics, optoelectronics, and technologies supporting biophotonic, quantum, and vision applications.
View the lineup of outstanding plenary speakers from around the globe. Select advanced training from 60 course options. Discuss your product requirements with top optics and photonics suppliers at any of the five exhibitions throughout the week, and participate in the strong industry program – this year now on three stages!
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Generative AI and Microsoft Copilot for Community College Faculty: 102
Webinar
January 20
This follow-up webinar is designed for faculty looking to integrate Generative AI and Microsoft Copilot into their curriculum. We'll start with a brief review of Copilot Chat, then explore practical strategies for incorporating AI-driven tools into lesson plans. We'll also examine real-world use cases from various disciplines.
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Generative AI and Microsoft Copilot for Community College Faculty: 102
Webinar
January 20
This follow-up webinar is designed for faculty looking to integrate Generative AI and Microsoft Copilot into their curriculum. We'll start with a brief review of Copilot Chat, then explore practical strategies for incorporating AI-driven tools into lesson plans. We'll also examine real-world use cases from various disciplines.
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Community Capabilities Webinar | The NCERC Experience
Webinar
January 21
The National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a nationally recognized Biorefining Center of Excellence dedicated to advancing the commercialization of biofuels, biochemicals, biomaterials, and other bio-based products. NCERC offers a comprehensive range of workforce development programs, including job shadowing, internships, graduate assistantships, and visiting research fellow programs, as well as professional workshops. Through the various programs, trainees gain real-world experience inside a functioning biomanufacturing pilot plant and are equipped with the skills needed to lead in a rapidly evolving biobased economy.
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ATE Projects and Centers
Mfg
Advanced Manufacturing Technologies topics include:
- Additive manufacturing
- Automotive manufacturing
- General manufacturing
Ag/Env
Agricultural and Environmental Technologies topics include:
- Agriculture and aquaculture
- Environmental technologies
- Natural resources
- Nuclear power
- Solar energy
- Wind power
Bio/Chem
Bio and Chemical Technologies topics include:
- Biotechnology
- Chemical and process technologies
Eng
Engineering Technologies topics include:
- Electronics and controls
- General engineering
- Marine technologies
- Materials technologies
- Optics
- Space technologies
Gen
General Advanced Technological Education topics include:
- Evaluation
- Learning research
- Recruitment
- Teacher preparation
Info
Information and Security Technologies topics include:
- Geospatial technologies
- Information and communications technologies
- Logistics
- Security, information assurance, and forensics
Nano
Micro and Nanotechnologies topics include:
- MEMS
- Microsystems
- Semiconductors
Program Description:
The Commercial Building Energy Analysis and Audits program at City College of San Francisco prepares students to conduct energy audits, evaluate building systems for efficiency, analyze energy data, and apply financial and business strategies in audit reporting. The program is divided into 15 modular courses designed for a community college level student. These courses are adaptable and can be selected, reorganized, or offered in a shorter format to suit individuals with experience in construction, architecture, HVAC, building operations, or mechanical engineering.
Course Description:
This course, from the BEST Center and City College of San Francisco, teaches the fundamentals and concepts of HVAC with an emphasis on types of equipment and conveyance. Topics covered in this course include conversion of units; concept of work power, and energy; psychrometric processes and calculations; thermodynamic laws and heat transfer principles; sensible and latent heat...
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This experiment, presented by the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure, covers Shape Memory Alloys or Smart Materials. A Smart Material or Shape Memory Alloys belongs to a class of materials which displays the shape memory effect (SME); they possess the ability to radically change crystal structure or phase at a distinct temperature. The lab will "explore how smart materials work and what applications these materials are used in." Additionally, students will be provided with a brief history lesson about the origins of smart material. The experiment is quite fun, students will observe how smart materials can "think and do amazing things." A student and teacher guide is provided with the lab.
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This issue of J ATE, published by Portland Community College, focuses on the theme of professional engagement. J ATE is a peer-reviewed technical journal focused on community college faculty and staff who work with technician education. This journal is cross-disciplinary and encompasses all technologies under the National Science Foundation (NSF) Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Program. Some of these technologies include: Micro Nano, Biotechnology, Autonomous Technology, Cyber Security, Advanced Manufacturing, Earth Sciences, Agriculture Technology, Energy, and Welding. Some topics that cross cut across all disciplines of technician education are also covered. Those topics include: Evaluation, Mentoring, Undergraduate Research, and Applied Technician Research.
This 108-page issue of J ATE includes 11 full articles and five guest letters written by ATE professionals. Listed below is each article and corresponding DOI number in parentheses.
- Building a Well-Equipped Skilled...
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These free, online Agricultural Biotechnology course materials from Futurelab+ make up a 36-week course that investigates "the amazing ways that living organisms can be harnessed to improve agriculture processes and redefine a healthier relationship with the natural environment." The course consists of four units, each featuring an introductory video, various lessons with lab elements, core labs, and projects. Each lesson and lab has a downloadable instructor's guide with student worksheets. Along with lesson content, the instructor's guides include pedagogical framing, national learning standards met by the lesson, and more. Editable versions of the student materials are available in both English and Spanish. Additionally, each unit includes a pacing guide, lesson flowchart, and lab materials. The units are as follows:
- Solution Seeking Microbes
- Alternative Proteins
- Plant to Pharmaceutical
- Community Science
The Futurelab+ biomedicine course, which this course builds on, is...
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This video from the Internet Scout Research Group is part of a series that highlights student success stories related to advanced technological education (ATE) programs. In this video, Sam Martinich discusses his experiences with Central Wyoming College's geospatial information systems and technologies (GIST) program. Topics covered include Sam's career path and journey to Central Wyoming College, the impact of the program on his life, and his work collecting climate data. Funding for the program from the National Science Foundation (NSF) is also explored.
The video runs 5:38 minutes in length.
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| Active ATE Centers | 15 |
| Active ATE Projects | 291 |
| ATE Resources | 6,957 |
| New Projects/Centers | 62 |
| New Resources | 62 |
ATE Resources by Subject Area
ATE Events by Subject Area
New Research: Increasing Cost of Community College Education
A new College Board report shows that the average published tuition and fees for in-district, full-time students at public two-year colleges in 2025–2026 reached $4,150, an increase of $110 from last year. State-level prices varied widely, from $1,440 in California to $8,900 in Vermont, and only nine states saw no change or increases of less than 1%.
To learn more about trends in college tuition and financial aid, read the full report from College Board.
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Upcoming Virtual Event: Google's Generative AI Leader Training and Certification
Supported by Google Cloud's Career Launchpad in collaboration with the National Applied AI Consortium (NAAIC), the free virtual event, "Google's Generative AI Leader Training and Certification," will be held on January 16 and 23, 2026. Sessions will cover the fundamental principles of artificial intelligence (AI), current AI offerings, strategies to improve the output of generative models, and relevant AI-informed business strategies. Completion of the training program will prepare community college faculty for the Google Cloud Generative AI Leader Certification.
Virtual Training Sessions
- Session 1: January 16, 2026, 10:00AM to 4:30 PM EST
- Session 2: January 23, 2026, 10:00AM to 4:30 PM EST
- Office hours (optional): January 30, 2026, 2:30PM to 4 PM EST
To learn more or to apply for the training program, visit the NAAIC website.
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New Issue: Community College Journal
The October/November issue of the American Association of Community Colleges’ (AACC) Community College Journal is now available online and in print through subscription. A featured publication by AACC, this journal provides contemporary information, insights, strategies, and connections for those in academia, industry, government, and workforce development.
The latest issue highlights:
- Trends surrounding community college-awarded bachelor's degrees.
- Succession strategies for future community college leaders.
- Impact of the 2012 "Reclaiming the American Dream" report from the 21-Century Commission on the Future of Community Colleges.
AACC's October/November publication of the Community College Journal can be accessed online here, and archived issues can be viewed in AACC’s library.
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