As many within MNT-EC prepare for the 31st National ATE PI (Principal Investigators) Conference (October 23-25, 2024 in Washington, D.C.), here is some guidance to help you make the most of this invaluable event. With plenty of incredible sessions, speakers, and networking opportunities, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed.
First, if you haven’t already done so, make sure you register this week — Registration deadline is September 26, 2024.
Second, ATE PI hosts its Conference Orientation Webinar on October 10th to officially help you get oriented and prepared. Also, check out this ATE Central post, for a solid overview: 2024 ATE PI Conference: ATE for the Future (that cool map of projects and centers is linked from their post).
Community-Based Blog Post
As you attend various sessions, participate in workshops, and network, write down (or record a voice memo into your smartphone) some of your insights and ideas to share with us. We’re planning a community-based blog post after the conference, and your contributions will help build a shared pool of knowledge that benefits everyone in our ATE community. Save your key takeaways and get them to us during or after the event. You can catch Billie Copley at the event and share your thoughts with her, or email directly to: TJ at MicroNanoEducation dot Org. We plan to publish this post about two weeks after the ATE PI Conference.
Here are a few key areas we are interested to hear about:
1. Innovative Approaches: Look for sessions where speakers share new teaching techniques, creative uses of technology, or innovative approaches to workforce training. These insights could spark fresh ideas for your own programs.
2. Real-world Applications: Listen for stories that connect ATE projects to real-world impact—whether it’s helping local industries thrive or boosting student success. For sure, these are stories and case study types of ideas we want to hear about, from you and colleagues.
3. Collaborative Success Stories: Many ATE initiatives succeed because of partnerships between educational institutions and industry. Look for examples of how collaboration has led to meaningful outcomes, and consider how your (and our) partnerships can benefit from similar strategies.
4. Emerging Trends: What new technologies or skills are gaining momentum in your field? Be sure to take note of any emerging trends that could shape the future of workforce development in your industry.
5. Lessons in Adaptability: Change is ever-present, and that means we have to adapt. If you hear any stories about overcoming challenges, especially in our fast-moving world, jot them down—they can offer inspiration and solutions for others in our MNT-EC / LinkedIn community.
Share with Us Post-Conference!
No matter what sessions, panels, or informal conversations you are part of, capture those ideas, insights, and inspiration we can use in the 2024-2025 school year. Please reach out to share what you’ve learned. Let’s work toward an authentic, more connected network of professionals advancing technological education. In plain language, let’s lift one another up!
Who Is Presenting from MNT-EC?
ATE PI 2024 Conference from MNT-EC Team and Partners
Here are a few shout-outs to our team and partners for sessions they are giving at ATE PI 2024. Keep us posted if you are also presenting and we’ll list you here.
Columbus State Community College will have a spotlight session on “Aligning Strategies to Support Advanced Technological Education Talent Demand” by Shane Kirby and Michell Ward from CSCC.
Date: Thursday, October 24 at 1:30 – 2:15 p.m. (Eastern). Room: Diplomat
Shout out to Scot McLemore ǀ Executive in Residence at CSCC for sharing. Advanced Manufacturing Pathways at Columbus State Community College.
MNT-EC Co-PI, Dr. Peter Kazarinoff, Faculty, Engineering and Engineering Technology
at Portland Community College will present a Spotlight session on “J ATE URE: Getting Community College Students & Faculty Published.”
Date: Thursday, October 24 at 1:30 – 2:15 p.m. (Eastern). Room: Empire
You can read a bit more about how this presentation came about by reading Peter’s Letter from the Editor in Volume 3, Issue 2 of the Journal of Advanced Technological Education.
Spotlight Session organized by Erika Sturgis: Panel with Marci Gale, Mason Lefler, and Tiffany Calfant
Abstract: Explore strategies for streamlining data collection and management of student data within ATE projects in this panel discussion with representatives from three ATE projects. We’ll discuss how different projects prepare for multiple report types, including project annual reports, evaluation reports, and responding to the ATE Survey. Panelists will share methods they use to build and maintain their data collection infrastructure. Whether your project receives student data from an institutional research office or you track it yourself, everyone will find practical strategies to make reporting on students more effective.
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ATE Connects Countdown session (new format)
Rick Vaughn presents Top 5 Strategies to Stay Nimble Amidst the Semiconductor Renaissance
Date: Thursday, October 24 at 4:15 – 4:25 p.m. (Eastern)
Room: Exhibit Hall
Rick Vaughn, Ph.D., Rio Salado College. Faculty Chair – STEM Initiatives
Spotlight Session: Strategies for Effective Nanotechnology and Microelectronics Education
Presenter(s)
- Vishal Saravade (he/him/his) (Role: Presenter;Session Organizer)
- Zachary R. Gray (Role: Presenter)
- Billie Copley (Role: Presenter)
- Nancy Louwagie (Role: Presenter)
Key Area of Session Focus: Curriculum & Educational Materials Development; Student Recruitment/Retention
Program Abstract: This session will include discussions and will answer thought-provoking questions in nanotechnology and microelectronics education. Proven and innovative strategies of outreach, student recruitment, hands-on education, remote education, content-delivery, professional development, and industry involvement will be discussed. PIs and Project Members from leading national nanotechnology, microelectronics, and remote-education centers will be the facilitators/panelists and presenters. Actions and ideas that have successfully enabled continuously improving education and workforce development in nanotechnology will be explained by the panelists.
Session: Building Global Partnerships: Advancing Quantum Workforce Education
Presenters: Mo Hasanovic, Jared Ashcroft, Grant Emmel
Date: Thursday, October 24; 3:10 – 3:40 p.m. (Eastern). Room: Cabinet
Spotlight session: How AI Is Predicted To Affect Multiple Disciplines
Presenters: Jared Ashcroft, Larry McWherter, Michele Robinson, and Antonio Delgado as panelists. Ann Beheler as facilitator.
Date: Thursday, October 24; 930 to 10:15 AM (Eastern). Room: Palladian.
Session: Undergraduate Research as a Recruitment and Retention Strategy Within ATE
Facilitators: Jared Ashcroft, PI, MNT-EC; Ani Hakobyan, Student, MNT-CURN; Jason Spyres, CEO and Founder, Training All People (TAP)
Program Abstract
Undergraduate research is a high impact practice in recruitment and retention of students in STEM. MNT-EC has been using undergraduate research through ATE-URE and START supplement proposals to increase the participation in MNT technician training. This session will share lessons learned from the past three years of the MNT-CURN and START programs and lead a discussion on the future of MNT-EC’s undergraduate research program. Attendees will be provided strategies in developing supplement proposals that focus on training technician through research and in developing student recruitment and evaluation strategies to increase industry support, effectiveness, and sustainability of the program.
