NSF Org: |
DUE Division Of Undergraduate Education |
Recipient: |
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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: |
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History of Investigator: |
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Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
3520 30TH AVE KENOSHA WI US 53144-1619 (262)564-2758 |
Sponsor Congressional District: |
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Primary Place of Performance: |
400 County Road H, Elkhorn, WI Elkhorn WI US 53121-3970 |
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District: |
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Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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Parent UEI: |
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NSF Program(s): | Advanced Tech Education Prog |
Primary Program Source: |
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Program Reference Code(s): |
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Program Element Code(s): |
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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
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