Paper Authors

Abstract

NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract

Industry Based Professional development for Engineering Technology

Karen Wosczyna-Birch CT College of Technology

Mary deManbey CT Business and Industry Association

INTRODUCTION

In an era of significant global competition fueled by burgeoning technologies, it has become ever more critical for American businesses to assure their future with a highly skilled workforce that can meet the demand. Essential understanding of math, science, and technology, then, becomes pivotal in propelling students to become fully prepared for a future in a technological world.

Ironically, in America, math and science skills have been declining. In fact, a recent survey (1) indicated that American eighth grade students ranked 19th in math and 18th in science among 38 countries tested. While these statistics sound grim, strides have been made to improve student performance in these areas by giving educators important linkages to business practices that can ultimately bring reality-based learning to the classroom.

In order to build a strong foundation for a qualified workforce, educators need to be made aware of emerging technologies used in business today. In 2002, CBIA and Connecticut’s Community Colleges’ College of Technology received a three year, Advanced Technology Education grant from the National Science Foundation. The grant focused specifically on giving high school and community college faculty exposure to technologies in three primary industries: engineering (including biomedical engineering), manufacturing, and information technology. The grant proposed work-based learning through teacher externships, technology conferences, symposiums and training workshops which highlighted emerging technologies among Connecticut companies. A second NSF funded regional ATE Center for a Next Generation Manufacturing Center was awarded to Connecticut’s College of Technology. The Next Generation Manufacturing Center includes statewide partnerships with CBIA, industry, the CT Center for “Proceedings of the 2005 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition 1 Copyright ÆÉ 2005, American Society for Engineering Education”

• Citation

• Format
  • APA
  • APA - LaTeX bibitem
  • MLA
  • MLA - LaTeX bibitem
  • Bibtex
  • EndNote - RIS

Simoneau, R., & deManbey, M., & Wosczyna-Birch, K. (2005, June), Industry Based Professional Development For Engineering Technology, Math And Science Faculty Paper presented at 2005 Annual Conference, Portland, Oregon. 10.18260/1-2--14434