NSF ATE Project Simul-ATE (Multidisciplinary Simulation: Educating Technicians for a 21st Century Workplace) 2018-2021

The Project’s stated goal is: To prepare technicians by exposing them to emerging simulation technologies in a multi-disciplinary work environment. To achieve the overarching goal, the project team has identified a 3-step sustainable plan which focuses on recruitment, retention, and career-readiness. Recruitment activities will be designed and utilized to ensure that middle and high school students are introduced to career options and the College’s programs to prepare them for technician career options. Retention activities will focus on ensuring that students have mentoring and academic support to successfully complete their programs of study. Finally, career-readiness activities will involve using real-world simulations to prepare students for the 21st century workplace.

The following objectives have been formulated to achieve the project goal:

(1) Enhance the course offerings in the areas of advanced manufacturing and TDL to include simulations using emerging technologies.

(2) Increase opportunities for underrepresented individuals to obtain two-year and four-year degrees in the fields of Advanced Manufacturing and TDL.

(3) Introduce outreach opportunities for underrepresented groups to have access to immersion activities involving Advanced Manufacturing and TDL.

Read OCtech’s Feature in the 2020-2021 ATE Impacts Report (pg. 84).