The Micro Nanotechnology Education Center at Pasadena City College was highlighted within the official broadcast at this year’s American Association for Engineering Education (ASEE) Annual Conference. The video was presented as a case study and documentary of what MNT-EC and its students are doing in various programs, internships, and research opportunities.
MNT Center Director, Dr. Jared Ashcroft closes out the video explaining how the MNT-EC is working toward pulling together the different institutions, community colleges, universities, industries, and nonprofits, to get them working together. “The goal is to have the Micro Nanotechnology Education Center working as the glue that pulls all of these institutions together,” he said.
Here is the full 5 minute video (5 min, 41 seconds to be precise).
And here is the 60-second-ish trailer if you need the quick version:
#1: The National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) 2023 conference will be held April 13-15, 2023 on the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire campus in Eau Claire, WI. The conference abstract submission window runs from October 3 to November 30, 2022.
NCUR is seeking volunteers to review abstracts submitted to the NCUR 2023 conference. They expect this review work to occur during the December 2022 timeframe, following the November 30 abstract submission deadline.
Anyone interested to serve as a reviewer should visit the Abstract Reviewers Wanted page, from there you can go to the Reviewer Signup page. Reviewers will be required to create a new account within the conference submission system if they do not already have one.
#2: Learn about the new NSF workforce development program TODAY, Nov 1 at 12PM Pacific time.
The U.S. National Science Foundation launched a new $30 million workforce development program, Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies, or ExLENT earlier this month.
Learn more about the program by joining the Introduction to ExLENT webinar on Tuesday, November 1, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. E.T.
Click the link above left to register for this webinar.
ExLENT offers workforce development opportunities to help individuals gain valuable work experience in emerging technology areas such as advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum information science, and semiconductors and microelectronics. With awards of up to $1 million over three years, the program will promote partnerships between organizations in emerging technology fields and those with expertise in workforce development.
#3: Sometimes the Think Small team is drinking from a firehose and cannot keep up… You can check out THREE New Scholarship and Internship opportunities linked below. BUT they will also be added to the Scholarship page in the Students & Families section by November 2, in case you want to share that page with students and faculty you know. Hint, hint.
The news section you are in right now is called Think Small. It is where we publish various news-oriented content; something that demands a longer article usually. But we have not had a way to collect and curate the many cool things that you – MNT partners, members, educators and students, and others, occasionally want to share.
Welcome to the new series I’m tentatively calling “Random Small” to provide us with a bucket, and I mean that in the most positive way, in which to put these important, but shorter tips, job or internship postings, upcoming events that we didn’t have a chance to get on the calendar (yet), and other, well, random items that need a home. You get the idea and here’s a few for this first post.
Normandale Community College is considering offering an 8-week section of its “Foundations of Vacuum Science” online course (VACT 1010). This course is designed for individuals who are interested in pursuing a career as a technician whose role it will be to support maintenance and troubleshooting of vacuum systems. The start date for this class would be Monday, October 17th, and the class would conclude by mid-December.
If you have a prospective student or others in your networks, especially organizational contacts. They can contact Kim Klein (Kimberly.Klein@normandale.edu) if interested in this class. Kim will be able to help them with the registration process.
Every year the NNCI has the “Plenty of Room at the Bottom” photo contest. Lots of great entries and if you receive our email newsletter, then you saw the hedgehog photo, which was a Most Whimsical winner from last year, which is from:Artist: Evgeniya Moiseeva, Huson Lab, University of Louisville. Tool: Thermo Scientific Apreo C SEM. Description: Solidified droplets of Gold on the side of the E-Beam evaporation ceramic crucible.
On our MNT LinkedIn page, you will find updates on colleagues, job listings, internship and apprenticeship opportunities, and more. Plus, as you’ve read above, we’re trying to include many of those items here on Random Small. The linked post takes you to a recent University of Southern California, Viterbi School of Engineering job for a Nanofabrication Lab Technician.
Note: We are considering a jobs/internship/career-oriented email on a 2 to 4 times per month basis. If you are interested, drop TJ an email. Again, we do post some of these on LinkedIn.
The MNT Calendar has the latest workshops and professional development webinars that you may find informative or worth sharing with your students and colleagues.
more tk
Thanks,
TJ McCue, Editor
P.S. Feel free to drop me an email note if there’s something you think we should know about.
Andrew and Miko are biotechnology technicians whose work contributes to advancements in healthcare and environmental science. They discuss their educational paths, the innovative projects they’re involved in, and the impact of their work on solving real-world challenges. Their stories highlight the transformative potential of biotechnology careers.
Show Notes
Talking Technicians goes to a hackathon! In this special episode of Talking Technicians, we’ve collaborated with the 2022 Antibody Engineers Hackathon which is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education program (DUE 2055036). The episode was recorded as part of the Hackathon. You’ll hear from two biotechnology practitioners, Andrew and Miko. They explain their work and how they found and benefited from a community college technician education program .
The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT-EC, the Micro Nano Technology Education Center, through financial support from the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education grant program.
Opinions expressed on this podcast do not necessarily represent those of the National Science Foundation.
Join the conversation. If you are a working technician or know someone who is, reach out to us at info@talkingtechnicians.org.
Kendra works in IT, managing critical infrastructure that keeps organizations functioning smoothly. She shares how she developed problem-solving skills through training, the collaborative nature of her work, and why she believes IT careers offer both stability and exciting opportunities for growth.
Show Notes
Kendra works as an IT tech at a community college in Asheville, NC. Kendra wanted a change and enrolled in a community college program in web and graphic design. This led to her current role as an IT technician. Hear Kendra’s story and how her work involves more than computers and tech.
The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT-EC, the Micro Nano Technology Education Center, through financial support from the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education grant program.
Opinions expressed on this podcast do not necessarily represent those of the National Science Foundation.
Join the conversation. If you are a working technician or know someone who is, reach out to us at info@talkingtechnicians.org.
Three technicians share their journeys live from the HI-TEC Conference, offering diverse perspectives on what it means to be a technician. They highlight their unique paths, the skills that have driven their success, and how they’ve found fulfilling opportunities in technical roles across various industries.
Show Notes
Recorded LIVE! At the HI-TEC Conference in Salt Lake City, UT – A special episode of Talking Technicians: We welcome back Linzee, Mark and Glen from Season 2 and hear different perspectives working as a technician. Hear live questions from the audience and feel what it’s like to be part of the HI-TEC Conference.
The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT-EC, the Micro Nano Technology Education Center, through financial support from the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education grant program.
Opinions expressed on this podcast do not necessarily represent those of the National Science Foundation.
Join the conversation. If you are a working technician or know someone who is, reach out to us at info@talkingtechnicians.org.
Amber played a pivotal role in developing technologies to combat breast cancer, focusing on diagnostic and treatment tools. She discusses the challenges of working in a high-stakes field, the technical skills required to advance healthcare solutions, and how her passion for helping others has shaped her meaningful career.
Show Notes
Amber works in the biotech industry at ICON. She went to a community college biotech program and started working as a technician in Los Angeles. In this episode, hear how technicians save lives by fighting breast cancer. Amber started as a technician and her career shows how far technicians can go.
The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT-EC, the Micro Nano Technology Education Center, through financial support from the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education grant program.
Opinions expressed on this podcast do not necessarily represent those of the National Science Foundation.
Join the conversation. If you are a working technician or know someone who is, reach out to us at info@talkingtechnicians.org.
Mark reflects on his extensive career as a technician, spanning decades of technological advancements. He shares key moments of growth, the importance of adapting to industry changes, and how mentorship shaped his journey. Mark emphasizes the value of continuous learning and how technicians contribute to innovation and stability in diverse fields.
Show Notes
Mark has over 25 years experience working as a technician. He worked as a technician at Intel in many different areas including hiring and training. Currently, Mark works as a technician at the MTTC at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM. Hear how technicians can do more than maintain and fix equipment; Mark’s career shows how far being a technician can take you.
The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT-EC, the Micro Nano Technology Education Center, through financial support from the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education grant program.
Opinions expressed on this podcast do not necessarily represent those of the National Science Foundation.
Join the conversation. If you are a working technician or know someone who is, reach out to us at info@talkingtechnicians.org.
Rick shares his experiences from a career spent as a technician in various fields, reflecting on how the role evolved over time. He discusses the adaptability required to stay relevant in a changing technological landscape and offers advice for those entering the profession.
Show Notes
Rick works as a technician at the MTTC at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM. He is an experienced technician and has worked at Phillips. Rick shares his professional journey including his time in the Navy and enrolling in community college. Hear how the role of a technician has evolved in this episode.
The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT-EC, the Micro Nano Technology Education Center, through financial support from the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education grant program.
Opinions expressed on this podcast do not necessarily represent those of the National Science Foundation.
Join the conversation. If you are a working technician or know someone who is, reach out to us at info@talkingtechnicians.org.
Corey began repairing computers before attending community college, where he earned a two-year degree. He now works at MSEI, building life-saving medical devices like pacemakers and defibrillators. Corey discusses the impact of his work and the opportunities available in medical technology.
Show Notes
Corey works as a technician at MSEI in Lake Oswego, OR. Corey was repairing computers before he went to community college and earned a 2-year technician degree. After graduating, Corey got a job as a technician building pacemakers and defibrillators which help save lives.
The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT-EC, the Micro Nano Technology Education Center, through financial support from the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education grant program.
Opinions expressed on this podcast do not necessarily represent those of the National Science Foundation.
Join the conversation. If you are a working technician or know someone who is, reach out to us at info@talkingtechnicians.org.
Jeb was working at a supermarket before pursuing community college training, which equipped him with the technical and professional skills to join Intel. In this episode, Jeb reflects on his career shift and how determination led him to one of the most advanced tech companies in the world.
Show Notes
Jeb works as a technician at Intel in Hillsboro, OR. Jeb was working at a supermarket before he went to a community college and gained the technical and professional skills he needed to work at one of the most cutting-edge companies in America. Hear Jeb’s story in this episode.
The Talking Technicians podcast is produced by MNT-EC, the Micro Nano Technology Education Center, through financial support from the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education grant program.
Opinions expressed on this podcast do not necessarily represent those of the National Science Foundation.
Join the conversation. If you are a working technician or know someone who is, reach out to us at info@talkingtechnicians.org.
