Experiential Learning for the Mechatronics Workforce in Upper Peninsula of Michigan
- Conference
- Location
-
Portland, Oregon
- Publication Date
-
June 23, 2024
- Start Date
-
June 23, 2024
- End Date
-
July 12, 2024
- Conference Session
- Tagged Division
-
Engineering Technology Division (ETD)
- Tagged Topic
-
Diversity
- Permanent URL
-
https://peer.asee.org/47391
Paper Authors
Aleksandr Sergeyev Michigan Technological University
ALEKSANDR SERGEYEV is a Professor of the Mechatronics, Electrical, and Robotics Engineering Technology program in the Department of Applied Computing at Michigan Tech. He is a Director of the FANUC Authorized Certified Robotic Training Center and a Director of the Master of Science in Mechatronics degree program at Michigan Tech. Dr. Sergeyev is a member of SPIE, ATMAE, IEEE, and ASEE professional organizations and has mentored numerous undergraduate senior design projects and student publications.
Vinh Nguyen Michigan Technological University
Dr. Nguyen started his appointment as an Assistant Professor at Michigan Technological University in 2022, where his research focuses on advanced manufacturing through Industry 4.0, human-robot-machine interaction, and physics-based/data-driven modeling. Dr. Nguyen has developed solutions for a variety of production processes including machining, additive manufacturing, metal forming, and robotic assembly to promote smart and sustainable manufacturing. Dr. Nguyen also conducts research in general industrial automation including autonomous vehicles and industrial robotics.
Prior to his appointment at Michigan Technological University, Vinh was a National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow at the National Institute of Standards and Technology from 2020 to 2022. He received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering and his MS in Mechanical Engineering and Electrical & Computer Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology in addition to receiving his BS in Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Paniz Khanmohammadi Hazaveh Michigan Technological University
Dr. Hazaveh received her PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the Michigan Technological University in 2018 with a focus on Single Electron Transistors.  She has been a Lecturer in Electrical Engineering and Electrical Engineering Technology
Linda Wanless Michigan Technological University
Dr. Linda Wanless has 16+ years teaching Engineering Technology courses with an emphasis in Manufacturing and Manufacturing processes. She is currently the Associate Director in the Center for Teaching and Learning at Michigan Technological University and is an Assistant Professor in the departments of Engineering Fundamentals and Cognitive and Learning Sciences.
Mark Bradley Kinney West Shore Community College
Dr. Mark Kinney is the Vice President of Academics and Student Services at West Shore Community College in Scottville, MI. He has a passion for rural higher education, leading him to conduct his dissertation on the various social roles these institutions play within their community. His career has been spent conducting both qualitative and quantitative research and evaluating the efficacy of a wide variety of organizational initiatives. This ultimately led Dr. Kinney to found All-Star Assessment, LLC, where he applies these research-based principles to the practice of thoroughly evaluating candidates for high-level leadership positions. Dr. Kinney has significant experience in using technology to improve business practices, organizational change management, strategic planning, process improvement, and grant writing and evaluation. Prior to West Shore Community College, Dr. Kinney was the Dean for Business and Technology at Bay College in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Scott A. Kuhl Michigan Technological University
Scott Kuhl is an Associate Professor of Computer Science and an Adjunct Associate Professor of Cognitive & Learning Sciences at Michigan Technological University. He received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Utah in 2009. He has been the faculty advisor for Husky Game Development Enterprise since Spring 2010. His research interests include immersive virtual environments, head-mounted displays, and spatial perception.
David Michael Labyak Michigan Technological University
David Labyak is an Assistant Professor in the Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology Department at Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech), teaching in the area of Solid Mechanics.
Abstract
University 1, University 2, and University 3 collaborate on the ExLENT project aims to provide experiential learning opportunities in Mechatronics for a diverse STEM workforce. The program and its impacts are aligned with the regional economic needs of the Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan areas. The emerging technology field of Mechatronics focuses on developing and implementing advanced automation for industrial applications. Thus, Mechatronics encompasses advanced fields, including robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity. Though the demand for Mechatronics expertise is growing, available experiential workforce development opportunities in Mechatronics are limited. This project will provide ExLENT participants with experiential opportunities through an online Mechatronics Education Portal (MEP), experiential Mechatronics Practice initiatives at University 1, and a Mechatronics Industry Pathways Rotation organized at Universities 2 and 3. The MEP and MP modules will be focused on the five Mechatronics pillars of Robotics, Mechanics, Electronics/Controls, Cybersecurity, and Artificial Intelligence. This project will leverage partnerships among three Universities, three nonprofit organizations, and nine regional industry collaborators. Comprehensive program evaluation will ensure that the project meets its objectives in improving interdisciplinary Mechatronics training through experiential learning opportunities, developing a flexible and comprehensive program to promote a diverse and inclusive STEM workforce, and facilitating sustainable collaboration amongst project partners centered around Mechatronic workforce preparation and placement.
Sergeyev, A., & Nguyen, V., & Hazaveh, P. K., & Wanless, L., & Kinney, M. B., & Kuhl, S. A., & Labyak, D. M. (2024, June), Experiential Learning for the Mechatronics Workforce in Upper Peninsula of Michigan Paper presented at 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, Oregon. https://peer.asee.org/47391
ASEE holds the copyright on this document. It may be read by the public free of charge. Authors may archive their work on personal websites or in institutional repositories with the following citation: © 2024 American Society for Engineering Education. Other scholars may excerpt or quote from these materials with the same citation. When excerpting or quoting from Conference Proceedings, authors should, in addition to noting the ASEE copyright, list all the original authors and their institutions and name the host city of the conference. - Last updated April 1, 2015