Advanced Technological Education ·

Welcome to the ATE Central Connection! Published the first Monday of each month, the ATE Central Connection is meant to disseminate information to and about ATE centers and projects, providing you with up-to-date ATE news, events, reminders, as well as highlighting new centers, projects, and resources. In addition, we will also highlight an educational topic with complementary resources found within ATE Central to help illustrate how ATE resources can be used in the classroom.

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In This Issue

Featured Resources in Green Building Technology

From LOCATE:

LOCATE Case Study: Tamarack Ecohouse

http://locate-stte.org/caseStudies/53742fc934792.pdf

This case study focuses on the Tamarack Ecohouse in Portland's historic Ladd's Addition neighborhood. This house includes a carbon-free design with a water harvesting system and solar electric and hot water systems. The 2-page study provides detail on the site upon which the structure was built, water usage, waste innovations, and more. This document is part of a series from Portland Community College that discusses real-world examples of sustainable architecture, "green" technologies, and energy efficiency in newly-constructed and remodeled homes.

From Advanced Technology Environmental and Energy Center (ATEEC):

Green Building Technologies

http://ateec.org/green-building-technologies

This PDF document from the Advanced Technology Environmental and Energy Center (ATEEC) presents materials for a course on green building technologies. The document includes a course outline, syllabus and many learning modules on topics like landscaping water systems, passive efficiency, plumbing and HVAC, all in the context of building "green." Users must download this resource for viewing, which requires a free log-in. There is no cost to download the item.

From GeoTech Center:

Texas Green Jobs Guidebook

http://www.geotechcenter.org/uploads/2/4/8/8/24886299/texas-green-jobs-guidebook.pdf

This 74-page document, created by Kate Robertson from the EDF National Energy Program, outlines information on the sector and job postings for green jobs in Texas. This resource is particularly helpful for those who wish to learn more or transition into careers in this field. An introduction to the guide and index to career opportunities orient the reader in the first section of the report. Next, a one-page description of the sector is provided, and the remaining pages contain job descriptions including salary information, minimum educational requirements, and job market growth potential. The guidebook also provides information on apprenticeships, green job placement assistance, programs at academic institutions, educational programs at community colleges, and continuing education opportunities at community colleges are included.

Community Connection

Tablet graph

2015 U.S. News/Raytheon STEM Index

Now in its second year, the 2015 U.S. News/Raytheon STEM Index was released last week at the fourth annual U.S. News STEM Solution Conference. Tracking movements in STEM-related employment and education, the STEM Index suggested a continued upward trend in STEM activity since 2000, the baseline year.

While this increase is welcome news for many in the U.S, including members of the ATE community working with students and industry partners to increase the number of qualified employees, the Index also reveals some more somber data. Despite extensive efforts in both the public and private sectors, raw data from the STEM Index indicates remarkably little progress toward decreasing racial and gender disparities in interest and aptitude in STEM. The Index notes:

In spite of a range of research projects and education initiatives focused on studying and closing the gaps, certain cultural issues – early bias, discrimination and social expectations – still play a significant role, diverting students from the STEM pipeline, often even before they reach college.

The 2015 U.S. News/Raytheon Stem Index presents an informative and interactive analysis of movements in STEM-related employment and education in the United States. Visit the U.S. News website to access the Index in its entirety (including nine sub-indices: STEM Employment Index, Degrees Granted Index, Advanced Placement Index, High School Interest Index, ACT Index, SAT Index, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEO) Index, Trends in International Math & Science Studies (TIMSS) Index, Program for International Student Assessments (PISA) Index), learn about key findings, explore the methodology and sources behind the study, and more.

Phone

ATE Success Tips: Outreach

Making Connections: When you should pick up the phone, and why

When it comes to communicating with coworkers, industry partners, prospective students, and just about anyone, it’s easy to get caught up in the pattern of sending emails or text messages. Yet sometimes these modes of contact are not the most appropriate channel for communicating, in terms of time, energy, or efficiency. Sometimes speaking directly with someone is the best way to connect. So how do you know when it is better to communicate via email or whether you should pick up the phone and call? Here are some helpful suggestions for when you should push aside the keyboard and reach for your phone:

  • When time is critical. We have no control over how quickly someone reads and responds to an email. When you need an immediate answer, it might be a good time to pick up the phone.
  • When email and other methods aren’t getting it done. What starts as a simple email can often end in an endless chain of messages. If the subject matter is complex, involving questions, answers, and feedback, a phone call might take less time, effort, and be more convenient and efficient for everyone involved.
  • When there is any risk of your email “tone” being misunderstood. It’s difficult to convey tone of voice by email no matter how many “smilies” you use. :-)
  • When it’s personal. There are many times when the subject being discussed is personal or otherwise of a sensitive nature. If face-to-face conversation isn’t possible in these instances, pick up the phone.
  • When someone asks you to. Some people simply prefer voice-to-voice or face-to-face conversations. Be considerate – chances are you will establish a better working relationship.
Screenshot of HITEC

Did You Know?

This year marks the 7th annual High-Impact Technology Exchange Conference (HI-TEC). The inaugural conference was held in Scottsdale, Arizona in 2009 and was made possible through the joint efforts and collaborations of many in the Advanced Technological Education (ATE) community. Past HI-TEC gatherings have been held in the following cities: Orlando, FL (2010); San Francisco, CA (2011); Denver, CO (2012); Austin, TX (2013); and Chicago, IL (2014).

ATE Events

Ongoing Events
– Mfg Intro EV3 Robotics Camp – Middle School Tampa, FL
Upcoming Events
– Gen Virtual Enterprise Faculty Development Seminar 2015 Innovation & Entrepreneurship in STEM Education New York, NY
Gen Coding and Creativity: Panel Discussion and Interactive Reception Washington, DC,
– Gen Society for College and University Planning's 50th Annual International Conference Chicago, IL
– Gen 2015 AACRAO Technology & Transfer Conference Austin, TX
– Mfg Multi-Axis Educators Workshop Auburn, Maine
– Gen Summer Teachers' Dissemination Workshop Farmington, CT
– Info Summer Working Connections Texas Frisco, TX
– Mfg Intermediate EV3 Robotics Camp Tampa, FL
– Info 1st CReST Faculty Development Workshop Arlington, VA
– Bio/Chem BIOMAN 2015 Bloomington, IN
– Mfg Welding Course for Educators: Metallurgy Marysville, CA
– Ag/Env Intermediate Winemaking at Home Dobson, NC
Mfg Stem Girls Camp Mankato, MN
Gen AAAS-Lemelson Invention Ambassadors Program: "Celebrate Invention" Washington, DC,
Ag/Env VESTA Napa Summer Workshop Series: Unlocking Wine St. Helena, CA
Info OpenStreetMap, Active Learning in the Classroom for Humanitarian Need Online
– Gen Proposal Writing Institute 2015 Minnetonka, MN
– Gen AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition Meeting Corporations, Human Rights, Science and Technology Washington, DC
– Nano 2015 Association for Career Technical Education Summer Conference Tucson, AZ
– Gen Workshop for Aspiring Chief Academic Officers Milford, NE
– Info ESRI Education GIS Conference: Learning and Leading Through Service San Diego, CA
– Mfg Robotics Summer Camp Bemidji, MN
– Bio/Chem Barcode Long Island Educator Workshop Cold Spring Harbor, NY
– Gen CSSIA 2015 Version of Security+ Online
– Info ESRI User Conference San Diego, CA
– Eng Guitar Building Workshop for Educators, Students and Hobbyists Lynnwood, WA
– Eng North American Council of Automotive Teachers Conference Joliet, IL
– Mfg Intermediate EV3 Robotics Camp Tampa, FL
– Gen Instructor Conference: Utilizing Student Smartphone & Other EHS Interactive Presentation Techniques Rochester, NY
– Info The Seventh Annual NGTC Geospatial Technology Summer Workshop, 2015 San Diego, CA
Mfg Trade and Industry Dean's Annual Summer Institute Shell Lake, WI
– Eng 2015 High Impact Technology Exchange Conference- Educating America's Technical Workforce Portland, Oregon
– Mfg High School Engineering Technology Camp Tampa, FL
– Mfg FACTE Annual Conference Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Gen Project Access Workshop Stony Point High School Round Rock, TX
Gen AAAS Martin and Rose Wachtel Cancer Research Award Bethesda, MD
– Gen SCADA Online
– Bio/Chem Barcode Long Island Educator Workshop Stony Brook, NY
– Eng CAR Management Briefing Seminars Traverse City, MI
– Mfg Welding Course for Educators: Instructional Design and Teaching Strategies for Welding Instruction Marysville, CA
– Gen WomenTech Educators Online Summer Bootcamp Online
– Gen Netlabs+ User Community Workshop Online
– Info 2015 National Conference on Geography Education Washington, DC
– Eng SPIE Optics + Photonics 2015 San Diego, California
– Nano Curriculum Delivery Workshops: Course Resources II: Patterning, Characterization, and Applications University Park, PA
– Bio/Chem Barcode Long Island Educator Workshop Upton, NY
– Gen CISSP Online
– Info Broadening Advanced Technological Education Connections National Summer Institute Boston, MA
– Mfg Welding Course for Educators: Laser Welding Santa Clarita, CA
Ag/Env VESTA Napa Summer Workshop Series: Craft Brewing St. Helena, CA
Info How Can Geospatial “Big Data” Help Disaster Response and Track Disease Outbreaks? Online
– Eng Global Automotive Lightweight Materials Detroit 2015 Detroit, MI
– Info FutureView 2015 Nashville, TN
Gen Evaluation: Don’t Submit Your ATE Proposal Without It Online
Gen Evaluation: Don’t Submit Your ATE Proposal Without It Online
Info Q&A with Advanced Cyberforensics Education Consortium Representatives Online
– Mfg Fab Lab Machine Training: A 4-Module Series Appleton, WI
– Gen (ISC)2 SSCP Course Online
– Gen Assessment for Student Success: Building Academic Innovation & Renewal Philadelphia, PA
Mfg Explore the Fab Lab: Complimentary Event Appleton, WI
– Nano Curriculum Delivery Workshops: Nanotechnology Course Resources I: Safety, Processing, and Materials University Park, PA
– Eng The Battery Show Novi, MI
– Eng Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Technology Expo Novi, MI
Info Q&A with CyberWatch West Representatives Online
Eng SMART Maritime Technologies Consortium Meeting Virginia Beach, VA

For more events, please visit the ATE Central Events page or, if you have any upcoming events that you would like posted on ATE Central or in the ATE Central Connection, please submit them online.

To add a continuously-updated list of ATE and STEM education events to your website, use the ATE Event Widget.

News & Reminders

Registration for the 2015 High-Impact Technology Exchange Conference (HI-TEC) is still open! If you haven’t registered yet, you can find all the details online. We look forward to seeing you there!

Are you a project or center PI who just received a Quarterly Activity Report? These Reports communicate data about project and center presence and usage of project and center deliverables on the ATE Central site. Click here to find out more about the content of the Activity Reports, ways people in the ATE community are sharing out the information, and how to interpret the data.

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If so, please make sure we've found that site and added it to the ATE Social Media Directory. Having your social media presence linked through the directory will help ensure that interested parties can find you online. In addition, if you currently publish a newsletter, please let us know, as we will be adding links to newsletters to the information available on ATE Central.

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Can CWIS software help support your project goals?

CWIS is open source software, created with NSF funding, that can help your project or center showcase resources online. It's free and very easy to use. The latest version (CWIS 3.2.0) was released on and is available for download on the Scout site. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions or would like a quick tour of its features!

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