Award Abstract # 1901714
Advancing Manufacturing through Integration of Information Technology

NSF Org: DUE
Division Of Undergraduate Education
Recipient: GATEWAY TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Initial Amendment Date: July 3, 2019
Latest Amendment Date: July 3, 2019
Award Number: 1901714
Award Instrument: Standard Grant
Program Manager: Paul Tymann
ptymann@nsf.gov
 (703)292-2832
DUE
 Division Of Undergraduate Education
EDU
 Directorate for STEM Education
Start Date: July 15, 2019
End Date: June 30, 2022 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $300,000.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $300,000.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 2019 = $300,000.00
History of Investigator:
  • Rebecca Marschner (Principal Investigator)
    marschnerr@gtc.edu
  • Paul Nelson (Co-Principal Investigator)
  • Jason Jones (Co-Principal Investigator)
  • Wendy Klemp (Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: Gateway Technical College
3520 30TH AVE
KENOSHA
WI  US  53144-1619
(262)564-2758
Sponsor Congressional District: 01
Primary Place of Performance: Gateway Technical College
400 County Road H, Elkhorn, WI
Elkhorn
WI  US  53121-3970
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
01
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): R16WQ1KVHG17
Parent UEI: R16WQ1KVHG17
NSF Program(s): Advanced Tech Education Prog
Primary Program Source: 04001920DB NSF Education & Human Resource
Program Reference Code(s): 1032, 9178, SMET
Program Element Code(s): 7412
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.076

ABSTRACT

According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, in 2017 the manufacturing sector in Wisconsin produced $59.1 billion in economic output. The skilled technical workforce that supports this sector must understand both information technology and manufacturing. To this end, this project will develop an 18-credit hour, entry-level Integrated Manufacturing Certification with an emphasis on both Information Technology and Operational/Production Technology systems. The courses in the certificate will have defined competencies developed by faculty at the local and the state level. This certificate program will allow students to earn an industry-approved certification in less than a year that is recognized throughout the state. The project will use instructional approaches rooted in constructivism, inquiry, reflection, collaboration, and integration, as well as holistic student support, to graduate workforce-ready students. Professional development for faculty will focus on curriculum development and train-the-trainer peer instruction. It is expected that this approach will help students retain more knowledge while enjoying learning in a project-based, content-based, hands-on environment. In addition, the college will increase the learning opportunities in advanced manufacturing for secondary education students through pursuit of dual credits.

Many businesses in the field of advanced systems manufacturing struggle to maintain a workforce that is up-to-date in the skills required to remain competitive. Few post-secondary institutions provide education in Integrated Manufacturing with focus both on Information Technology and Operational/Production Technology systems. As a result, industries with manufacturing operations that use smart technologies need more workers with these integrated skills. For example, Bird's Eye Food in Darien, WI, has an annual payroll of $19.4 million, and purchases another $100 million in goods and services from vendors and service groups in the local area. In 2017, Bird's Eye Food invested 13 million dollars into its Darien facility for the installation of three new automated robotic packaging production lines. The increased automation and associated increased speed capabilities have created a need for maintenance technicians with advanced skills in robotic technology to service, troubleshoot, and maintain this equipment. To address this and related needs, the project will develop an Integrated Manufacturing curriculum that provides students with specialized training and industry approved certifications. To achieve this goal, the College will work with local industries, manufacturers, workforce development boards, the Wisconsin Technical College System, and the National Convergence Technology Center to develop a curriculum that incorporates the newest industry advancements (e.g., Industry 4.0). The fully-developed curriculum will be open-source and available to educators across the country and internationally. 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.

PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT

Disclaimer

This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.

Project Outcomes Report – NSF Award # 1901714

Project Title: Advancing Manufacturing Through Integration (AMTI)

Recipient Organization: Gateway Technical College

Project Grant Period: 07/15/2019 through 06/30/2022

PI: Rebecca Marschner

This project supported the development of a curriculum for an entry-level Integrated Manufacturing Certification for students at Gateway Technical College. The Certificate combines Information Technology (IT) and Manufacturing coursework and was designed to help prepare students for Industry 4.0 opportunities.  This project serves as a catalyst for the college and the tri-county community it serves to advance the field of Integrated Manufacturing education through industry and partner-supported curriculum development, implementation of instructional training, and online support along with piloting programming at academic partner institutions.

The project successfully engaged with employer partners, two-year colleges, and the National Convergence Center in the development of a pathways curriculum for an entry-level Integrated Manufacturing certificate. Collaboration across IT and manufacturing faculty ensured that course content would lead to key skills identified by industry partners. The certificate degree featured 17 course credits, intended to be completed over two terms.  Further, a train the trainer workshop module was established to pilot and implement the program. These workshops helped to advance the secondary and post-secondary partnerships and programs.

The College’s student success data showed that the courses created and redesigned for the Integrated Manufacturing curriculum served 435 students at Gateway Technical College between Spring 2019 and Spring 2022. In addition, 415 out of 435 students (95 percent) were enrolled in either manufacturing or information technology programs. The overall average course completion rate was 78 percent, but 93 percent among manufacturing students. Seven of the 435 students enrolled in the Integrated Manufacturing certificate program.

The bulk of the grant curriculum was implemented in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, beginning in Spring 2020. This timeline significantly affected the implementation of new programs, particularly for hybrid courses that required in-person lab time in addition to other course content.

 


Last Modified: 08/09/2022
Modified by: Rebecca Marschner

Please report errors in award information by writing to: awardsearch@nsf.gov.

Print this page

Back to Top of page