From the Executive Directors Desk: Articulating Industry Credentials in Florida

This summer, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and the Florida Department of Education (FL DOE) added several NIMS (National Institute for Metalworking) credentials to the state’s secondary school funding list. We are excited to have these new additional acceleration pathways for students in manufacturing career programs. Anyone who holds these current NIMS credentials can get credit towards several 2-year degree programs including the A.S. degree in Engineering Technology that supports Florida’s manufacturing industry sector. This is great news for students in all the high school and post secondary machining programs that earn NIMS credentials in those programs. Ed Doherty, Precision Machining Lead Instructor at Suncoast Technical College in Sarasota says “This will provide a great pathway for some of my students considering an Associate’s degree. I can’t wait to share the opportunity with them this fall. There are always a couple grads from my program that want to continue their education.” Other credentials that validate knowledge and skills that have previously been approved for statewide articulation include credentials for 3D modeling and design, electronics, quality, sheet metal fabrication, composite materials, welding, aviation maintenance, and more.
FLATE and its partners proposed the very first statewide articulation with the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) Certified Production Technician (CPT) to the A.S. Engineering Technology in 2007. FLATE has worked closely with industry since then to be sure that Florida students and people in the workforce that wanted to continue their education in manufacturing could get credit for skills and knowledge they already had. In Florida, industry credentials articulate for up to 15 credits towards technical degrees, providing credit attained for prior learning based skills documented by credential-offering organizations. The long established robust system in Florida started with the Career and Professional Education Act (CAPE) in 2006 and has expanded to include workforce credentials for post secondary level. Additionally, the CAPE Act also brings performance funding to all participating institutions. You can learn more about the A.S. Engineering Technology Degree and its system of stackable credentials and certification alignments at http://fl-ate.org/programs/stackable-credentials.


The State of Florida’s Office of Articulation at FL DOE has a mission to facilitate effective and efficient progression and transfer of students through Florida’s K-20 education system. Articulation processes provide acceleration opportunities for students to complete post-secondary degrees (A.A., A.S., or Bachelors level). There are basically two methods. First, students can earn credit by taking a test through which a student successfully shows mastery of the material by achieving the defined passing “cut score”.  These tests can be taken at any number of nationally and/or internationally recognized assessment centers for academic, or career courses and/or programs. The second acceleration method is Dual Enrollment. This process allows secondary students (including home school student sand students with disabilities) to take post-secondary coursework and simultaneously earn credit toward high school diploma, career certificate, an industry certification, or an Associate or Baccalaureate degree at a Florida public, or private institution. There are many resources including agreement templates, guidelines, approved credential lists, etc. on the FL DOE webpage: http://www.fldoe.org/policy/articulation/.

Several other supporting policies support Florida’s educational pathways. Common course numbering in all postsecondary institutions, statewide articulation agreements, common prerequisites, and general education core all facilitate smooth transfers between secondary and post-secondary institutions. In the world of Career and Technical (CTE) Education, the State Board of Education has approved the listed statewide Career and Technical Education Articulation Agreements, which are based on industry certification. These articulation agreements provide a minimum guarantee of articulated credit an institution can elect to grant additional credit based on local agreements. The process of adding credentials to the statewide list is illustrated in the table below. 

Typical Date
Activity
Aug 15 - Sept 30
Submission of new credential applications to CareerSource Florida for following academic year.  Applications can be submitted by regional workforce boards or school principals with endorsements from each category: (1) Florida-based state or regional business/trade association; (2) • local workforce board; (3) economic development organization
Nov - Feb
CareerSource Florida, Florida Department of Education, Department of Economic Opportunity, Department of Economic Opportunity, industry associations, Florida businesses, and other pertinent groups reviews applications for eligibility and recommendations
Mar 1
CareerSource Florida Board approves a list of recommended industry certifications no later than this date.
Mar 5
Florida Department of Education releases the preliminary “CAPE Industry Certification Funding List.” 
Mar 5-April 1
Districts may submit requests for an addition to the “CAPE Industry Certification Funding List.” 
Aug 1
Florida Department of Education releases the final “CAPE Industry Certification Funding List.” 

 These FLDOE process are subject to current Florida statutes and rules.
I now invite you to read the rest of the articles in the July edition of the FLATE Focus. In this edition we have a story about the NEW A.S.ET degree in Alternative Energy at Florida Keys community college. We also have a round-up of the 2017 Robotics Summer Camps season, a spotlight on the 2017 FLATE Awardees as well as upcoming events like the Manufacturing Day 5K Run Walk Paddle for Education. We’d love to hear from you, so do reach out to us via email at news@fl-ate.org and/or connect with us socially on @Made_InFlorida  on FacebookLinkedIn, or Tweet us using the hashtag of the month #2017FLATEAwardees that recognizes their valuable contributions to Florida's manufacturing education and training.  

Congratulations to the 2017 FLATE Award Winners!



FLATE and the Florida Association for Career and Technical Education (FACTE) are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2017 FLATE Awards! The Awards represent FLATE’s efforts to recognize leaders who have been at the forefront of manufacturing workforce education and training. This is the tenth year of the Awards program, and is one of FLATE’s many efforts to showcase and recognize the contributions of educators and industries in advancing technician education and training on a regional and statewide level.
The 2017 FLATE Award recipients are:





James Maynard, Teacher and Director of the Manufacturing Academy at Pine Ridge High School, will receive the Secondary Educator of the Year Award.



 
 
 

Sam Ajlani, Associate Professor and Program Manager for the Engineering Technology degree at the College of Central Florida will receive the Post-Secondary Educator of the Year Award.









Robert Adamiak, Executive Director of the Mid-Florida Regional Manufacturers Association will receive Distinguished Partner Manufacturing Service Award of the Year Award.





Maynard, Ajlani, and Adamiak will be honored and receive their awards later this month at FACTE’s Annual Conference and Trade Show in Orlando, FL.

Following the announcement of their prestigious win, FLATE reached out to this year's awardees for a Q & A. Their response is outlined below:


Why do you think manufacturing education is important?

SAM AJLANI: For over 30 years there has been a lack of training for manufacturing technicians and technologist.  This is because of the advent of computers in secondary schools across America in the mid 80’s and early 90’s.  It was a low cost venture as opposed to high cost consumables in the industrial trades.  That is where most of the technicians in manufacturing came in from, the industrial trades.  On top of this, educators tried to steer students away from those type jobs and recommended college degrees.  Today we are struggling to find qualified technicians and technologist.  Adding to this, the “Baby Boomers” are retiring and are the last generation until now that were trained in the industrial trades.  Naturally manufacturing is scrambling to fill positions with the skills needed to maintain and run complex systems.  This makes manufacturing education extremely important!

ROB ADAMIAK: Manufacturing is extremely important to the economy. Wealth is only created by growing, mining, or manufacturing something. All other industries just move that created wealth around. Manufacturing also has the highest multiplier effect of any economic sector—for every $1.00 spent in manufacturing, another $1.81 is added to the economy. The need to maintain and grow manufacturing is vital to maintaining or improving the standard of living that we have in this country.

The greatest challenge that we have in manufacturing is a supply of trained employees. This challenge is growing due to the growing number of employees retiring. Additionally technology is evolving at an exponential rather than at a linear pace. This requires not only new hirers to be trained but current employees to be trained in these new technologies. I cannot see a more important initiative to save our economy than to expand training in manufacturing and technology.

Automation and other technologies negate the low wage advantage that other countries like China and Mexico have. These technologies reduce the over-all number of employees needed but increase the level of training needed for the remaining employees to program and maintain this equipment.

The manufacturing industry in Florida is extremely fortunate to have an organization like FLATE to develop the statewide Engineering Technology programs in the state colleges as well as supporting programs in the high schools.

JAMES W. MAYNARD: The growing skills gap, retirement of the current knowledgeable workforce, preparing for reshoring of advanced manufacturing as increases in productivity offset low foreign labor costs, etc. And while all are true, to me its importance is the chance to ensure craftsmanship endures. Fewer and fewer of our kids actually know the value of being able to produce something tangible, the critical thinking involved, the benefit of failing well, and using what they learn to improve. Even if their ultimate path leads them away from a manufacturing career, these skill will serve them well and make them more valuable members of society.

As a Nominee, can you outline some of your contributions to manufacturing and/or engineering technology education and training at local, state and/or national level?

SAM AJLANI: For me, I have been teaching on and off for fifteen years.  I came out of manufacturing and have over 30 years of experience.  I was also a technician before obtaining my Engineering degrees and I recognized the value of hands-on practical application early in my career.  The issue was finding technicians to maintain equipment and keep production running at maximum efficiency.  The pool has been shrinking for years.  Once I started teaching, it was my goal to not only supply manufacturing with technicians and technologist, but to provide the highest competency possible.  Therefore I have strived to build programs that produce highly cross-functional individuals that can immediately make an impact.  Over the fifteen years I have built several programs from obscurity to local, state, and nationally recognized programs.  Students are immersed in practical applications and have competed and won or placed at state and national competitions.  Some of these students have reset the bar or standards in competition with the highest recorded scores and fastest times in those competitions.  Most importantly, these programs have placed hundreds in the manufacturing workforce to fill the gap for highly skilled technical positions.  Moving forward, the next phase is incorporating national certifications which will embrace the skills these students are currently learning.

ROB ADAMIAK: I sit on the industry advisory committees for the College of Central Florida (CF) President’s executive committee, the CF Engineering Technology program, the CF Logistics program, the manufacturing related programs at the Withlacoochee Technical College and the Marion Technical College, the Marion Technical Institute, the Marion County Superintendent of Schools Workforce Planning Committee and other committees supporting education in the region. I am also on the hiring committees for filling open faculty positions for all these programs.

One of the current programs that I am very excited about is one in which I convinced the owner of a local manufacturer to turn his warehouse operations over to a local high school to use as a logistics academy. The students will graduate with real world, on the job experience!

I approached Machining-Training-Simulation, MTS, and the representative from the FL DOE Apprenticeship department to use the MTS program as a basis for a three year registered apprenticeship program. In less than a year, the program with curriculum and competency benchmarks was completed and approved by the state. The FL DEO would like to see it expanded throughout the state and the US DOL Apprenticeship department would like to see it go national.

I convinced CF to open its credit classes which are part of their AS degree in Engineering Technology (ET) and certificate programs to students as non-credit classes. This allowed working employees to take classes in PLC programing, motor controls, blueprint reading, etc. without going through the process of registering as a student. It also eliminated the need for minimum size classes to hold training for these people outside the AS program. Many of these students who had previously not considered going for a college degree changed their mind after taking a class and now are registered students in the ET program with some moving on to their bachelor degree and PE certification.

JAMES W. MAYNARD:  Some of my career highlights:
·         I am one of the founding instructors of the NIMS program at Daytona State College
·         I have a twenty year career as a Florida business owner focusing in custom automotive design and fabrication
·         I founded the training Dept. at AO Precision MFG
·         I helped to design and implement the Manufacturing Program at Pine Ridge HS
·         First Year Teacher of the Year at Pine Ridge HS
·         I won the grant to be the first Greenpower USA race team in Florida
·         I also received several First and Second place finishes in Regional races and engineering competitions in our first full year as a program
·         Recognitions by the city of Deltona, Volusia County School Board, and a State Senator for innovation and leadership
·         Piloted the growth of the Manufacturing program into an Academy including partnerships with local industry to be a resource for R&D, prototyping, and small run production.

Award recipients are selected by the FLATE Industrial Advisory Committee members following a review process, and using a standard rubric to guide their selection from the information that nominees submit. Maynard, Ajlani, and Adamiak were selected from a pool of distinguished nominees who have each made a mark in manufacturing. The FLATE team recognizes the contributions of all the nominees and winners and would like to congratulate them for their role in advancing manufacturing education and training in Florida.

For more information about the FLATE Awards please visit our webpage here, or contact Dr. Marilyn Barger at barger@fl-ate.org.

Mark Your Calendar for #FLMfgMonth17

It’s that time of the year to adjust your lens and focus your attention on Manufacturing Day/Month—a nationwide event to celebrate American Manufacturing. In Florida Manufacturing Month, which is celebrated annually in October, has played a dominant role with the state leading the nation in the number of industry tours hosted for middle and high school students. This year FloridaMakes and its network of Regional Manufacturers Associations are taking the lead in organizing statewide industry tours and events that kick starts on MFG Day which is October 6!

There are several ways to participate and be part of this national phenomenon. Outlined below are a few priority

“TO DO” items to get the ball rolling on your regional efforts:
  • Industry Tours: Contact your local school district and/or regional manufacturers associations right away to plan your industry tours. 
  • Tour Resources: Review Educational/Tour Resources on the FLATE Wiki: FLATE has compiled an extensive portfolio of educational resources that educators can use to formulate lesson plans before and after the industry tours. These can be accessed on the FLATE Wiki (www.flate.pbwiki.com) and on the “Made in Florida” MFG Day site at www.madeinflorida.org/manufacturing-day.
  • Surveys: Familiarize yourselves with the statewide student online and/or paper-based survey structure to determine strategies for implementation in your area. Ready-to-use templates for student, teacher, parents and industry host surveys are posted on the FLATE Wiki.
  • T Shirts: Order/Purchase statewide #FLMfgMonth17 t-shirts for student tours. The shirts are a tangible and long-term reminder for students and their families of the significance of manufacturing in Florida. And, it all helps put the “fun” in manufacturing! 
  • Proclamations: Contact your Regional Manufacturers Association and/or your local representative to issue
    a local and/or regional proclamation for MFG DAY and/or MFG Month.
  • MFG Day Graphics: Feel free to promote MFG Day/Month by using graphics (posters, web and email buttons) designed by FLATE and currently posted on the FLATE Wiki
  • Press/Social Media Outreach: Alert your local press about and/or to promote regional MFG Day/Month events. Align these with your social media marketing efforts to maximize the impact of your press and/or social outreach. 
  • MFG Day National Page: Post all your events at www.mfgday.com

....also important to remember is: To have fun and enjoy! 

Upcoming Manufacturing Day/Month Webinar




FLATE will be hosting two MFG Day Webinars in August. 
  • Webinar 1: For regional manufacturing day coordinators will be held on August 9 at 9 a.m.
  • Webinar 2: For schools districts and educators will be held on August 22 at 3 p.m. 
More information, log-in/dial-in info will be shared in the upcoming week(s), so stay tuned, and/or contact Dr. Marilyn Barger, Executive Director of FLATE at barger@fl-ate.org/813.259.6578, and Janice Mukhia, project/outreach manager of FLATE at outreach@fl-ate.org/813.259.6581, or visit www.mfgday-fl.com. We look forward to making MFG Day/Month in Florida a grand success….. Let’s make this another banner year for Manufacturing.

FLATE’s Summer Camps Ignite Students’ Passion for Robotics, STEM & Manufacturing


Every summer, FLATE hosts several robotics and engineering technology Camps at Hillsborough Community College’s (HCC) Brandon campus for middle and high students. Each camp lasts five days, and takes students on an in-depth exploration of some of the most recent technologies used in high-tech manufacturing environments. The summer camps are a challenging, but exciting way for students to explore and learn about robotics and STEM in a high-tech manufacturing context. “I wanted to know what it would be like to be in a robotics team, and that’s what got me interested in this camp” stated a camper in a pre-camp survey conducted by FLATE. “I liked that this camp showed us step-by-step how to program the robot and piece it together” stated another camper. Each camp presented students with hands-on activities that were geared to develop real-world skills in programming, and give them a hands-on exploration of STEM-related topics in robotics. Students also got to learn about 3D modeling and printing, and how all of these concepts are applied in everyday manufacturing operations.



This year FLATE offered three camps for middle and high school students. The introductory and intermediate camps had 24 campers each, and the high school camp had 20. During the five day camp, students programmed and built a LEGO® Mindstorms® EV3 Robot systems, participated in team challenges and learned how science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) are used in today’s high-tech industries. Being in the camp “helped me learn more about robotics that I will probably continue exploring in middle school” noted a camper in a post camp survey.
 


Campers in the intro camp also had the opportunity to tour Publix Dairy Manufacturing facility in Lakeland, where they got to see first-hand robotics and automation in real-world settings, and also got to sample some ice cream! “The best part of the camp was the field trip to Publix where I got to learn about manufacturing” stated a camper in a post camp survey conducted by FLATE. The camp had a climactic ending when Charley Belcher from Good Day Tampa Bay conducted a live streaming of the intro camp on Friday. Several campers, Dr. Marilyn Barger, Executive Director of FLATE; Dr. Ginger Clark, Vice President of Workforce Training at HCC; and Lindsey Kimball, Director of Economic Development for Hillsborough County Florida were interviewed. Read the story and watch a brief video by clicking here


During the intermediate robotics camp, there were 24 campers. Twelve of the 24 campers were returning campers either from the introductory camp the week prior and/or from previous years at the FLATE intro camp. Over the five days, students built on their prior knowledge of robots that involved more advanced programming and construction of LEGO® Mindstorms® EV3 Robot systems, participated in team challenges, and gained more knowledge of STEM in today’s workforce. “I liked how we had to look at the course and figure out exactly what to do to go through it, and everything would work if we did it right” stated a camper in a post camp survey conducted by FLATE. The intermediate campers also got the opportunity to tour Pro-Tools, a high tech manufacturer, Tampa-based metal fabricator of high quality tools. “I wish the camp was more than one week long. I would also like to see camps like this offered during the school year” a camper noted.


FLATE’s high school engineering technology camp hosted 20 students, 11 girls and nine boys, and for the FIRST time since FLATE started offering robotics camps in 2007, there were more female students enrolled than males in the high school camp! “This is great news as it stands as a testament of FLATE’s impetus in devising multi-faceted programs targeted to getting girls and women engaged in STEM and manufacturing” said Janice Mukhia, project and outreach manager for FLATE. Mukhia who served as the camp director in coordinating the logistics for the camp ranging from every day camp set-up, to registrations, to interfacing with industry partners and parents is confident, over the years, the camps have served as a launch pad for the next generation of innovative thinkers to cultivate a passion for STEM and learn about the inroads between robotics and STEM and their applications in the world of high-tech manufacturing.


During the final week of camp, students toured Engineering and Manufacturing Services, the largest single source provider of 3D printing and 3D scanning solutions to customers across a wide range of industries including aerospace, automotive, military, consumer products and more. The challenges were “difficult, but fun” stated a camper. Others stated they enjoyed learning and creating things at the camp. Nearly 89% of high school campers also stated the field trip to EMS helped them make a connection between what they learned at the camp/camp activities and their real-world applications.


The focus of the Engineering Technology Camp was to teach students how to use 3D modeling and CAD to design a functional robotic device and to engage in 3D printing process using additive manufacturing techniques. The best part of the camp, for most students, was programming the Arduino, followed by learning about 3D printing and designing, and building the robotic arm.  Campers were able to keep the Arduino microprocessors and servo motors after camp ended. “It was interesting to visit a 3D printing firm an experience that is very interesting to see all the professionals and equipment in high-tech manufacturing” said a camper. The high schoolers also received some media attention midway through the camp when they were interviewed by Hillsborough County for a news story.
To read the story, click here. To watch the video on YouTube, click here.





Allan Dyer, the high school camp instructor who played a leading role in formulating the curriculum for FLATE, stated the camp once again served a critical role in connecting the dots between robotics, additive manufacturing and 3D printing. Another added benefit of the summer camps was FLATE’s partnership with Nuts, Bolts, and Thingamajigs, a nonprofit foundation which offers manufacturing camps and scholarships for students, as well as grants for STEM educators.  STEM educators use the grant to formulate curriculum that showcases the connection between the business aspect of manufacturing and how manufacturers can use expertise of STEM professionals to market lucrative products and ideas. The Manufacturing Alliance of Hillsborough County and the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation were also key partners for FLATE in offering need-based scholarships for middle and high school campers and in their outreach to the local press. The scholarships were targeted to raise awareness and interest in manufacturing/STEM, and create a pathway for students from low income families to follow related educational and career pathways in high-tech manufacturing. This year 14 campers received  scholarships(3 in the intro camp, 2 in the intermediate camp, and 9 in the high school camp) to attend the intro, middle and/or high school robotics camps. 





To gauge the impact of the robotics camps on students’ overall learning experience and assess their opinion of STEM/robotics and how they tie into manufacturing, FLATE conducted a pre and post survey of all campers. Outlined below are data highlights from the camps hosted onsite by FLATE at Hillsborough Community College in Brandon. One hundred percent of the students in the intro camp, approximately 89% in the intermediate camp, and 99% in the high school camp agreed and/or strongly agreed the robotics camps provided opportunities for teamwork and collaborations with others. Of the campers who responded to the survey, approximately 95% in the intro camp, 94% in the intermediate camp, and 100% in the high school camp agreed, or strongly agreed programming the robot helped them see how automated systems are programmed and controlled. One hundred percent of the students in the intro camp, 94% in the intermediate camp, and nearly 85% in the high school camp agreed, or strongly agreed the camp helped them better understand how science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are used in industry. One hundred percent of the students in the intro camp, nearly 94% in the intermediate camp, and approximately 95% in the high school camp agreed/strong agreed learning to program the robot by thinking logically will help while solving other problems in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects in school. One hundred percent of the campers in the intro, intermediate and high school camps also stated they would recommend the camp to a friend.




Parents’ response to the camps was also highly positive. Of the parents who responded to a survey conducted by FLATE, nearly 84% of the parents in the intro camp, 94% in the intermediate camp, and 100% in the high school camp agreed and/or strongly agreed that the camp helped their child understand the importance of STEM. Nearly 99.9% of the parents in the intro camp, 81% in the intermediate camp, and 99.9% agreed and/or strongly agreed the camp also helped students learn about college and career options in Florida’s advanced manufacturing industry. Of the parents who responded to the survey, over 91% of the parents whose child was enrolled in the intro camp, 99.9% in the intermediate and high school camps, agreed and/or strong agreed they would recommend the camp to others.






FLATE has compiled a photo montage of this year’s camps which is posted in the sidebar of this edition of the newsletter, and/or can be viewed online at https://goo.gl/photos/jMJCwZFVLm4CptMY6. FLATE would also like to thank ALL our regional, educational, and industry partners and sponsors for their role in helping promulgate the importance of STEM, its applications in high-tech manufacturing and the latter’s role in positioning the US as a global leader in the manufacturing arena. For more information on FLATE’s summer camps, please contact Dr. Marilyn Barger, Executive Director of FLATE, at barger@fl-ate.org. You can also visit FLATE’s camps webpage at fl-ate.org/projects/camps.html.


Florida Keys Community College to Offer a New A.S Degree in Renewable Energy

The statewide A.S. degree in Engineering Technology just expanded its frontiers with Florida Keys Community
College’s latest degree addition, an Associate in Science (A.S.) in Engineering Technology in Renewable Energy. The two-year degree provides a broad, versatile foundation in engineering, plus specialized career training for fast-growing, high paying careers in solar, wind, and hydropower technologies. Students will benefit from real-world practice in professional internships at partnering organizations that are located as nearby as Stock Island and as far away as Australia. New students are required to submit their application no later than August 3 in order to begin classes this fall semester, which begins August 18. Scholarships and payment plans are available. For more information, visit www.fkcc.edu/engineeringtechnology or contact FKCC’s Office of Recruitment at 305-809-3207 or recruiter@fkcc.edu.


FKCC’s A.S. degree in in engineering technology was developed with assistance from a grant for $894,321 from the

National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF awarded the grant to the College to utilize the Keys’ natural resources—specifically sun, water, and wind—to generate and study green energy as well as train workers for new, cutting-edge technology jobs. “It’s exciting that FKCC will be at the forefront of training the Twenty-First Century workforce for lucrative and nationally in-demand renewable energy jobs,” said Dr. Patrick Rice, FKCC’s Department Chair for the Engineering and Technology program Chief Science and Research Officer. “Additionally, research conducted by FKCC students and our industry partners will contribute to future development of energy production. The Florida Keys can become a demonstration to the world on how to live sustainably with the environment.”

The statewide framework for the A.S degree in Engineering Technology (ET) degree program was developed by
FLATE in partnership with community colleges and industries across Florida and in close partnership with the Florida Department of Education Division of Adult and Career Education to address a growing need to supply manufacturers and high technology industries with qualified, highly skilled workers in the foreseeable future.The degree has 3 major components: (I) general education; (II) an ET technical core; and, (III) specialization tracts that address regional industry needs. The ET Core aligns with the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council Certified Production Technician (MSSC-CPT) national certification. The statewide articulation agreement provides 15 credit hours of the ET Core for anyone enrolling in the degree program and having a current CPT credential. Therefore, anyone in the country who holds a valid MSSC-CPT credential can graduate with the A.S. Engineering Technology degree after completing 45 instead of the required 60 credit hours. Building on this credential or the ET core courses, students take specific courses related to one of eight specialized technical tracks in their second year of study. College credit technical certificates aligned to each of the specialization tracks provide additional flexibility for students to earn while they learn. 

For more information visit fl-ate.org/programs/stackable-credentials, and madeinflorida.org/engineering-technology-degree, or contact Dr. Marilyn Barger, Executive Director of FLATE at barger@fl-ate.org. For information about the program at FKCC visit the program website at www.fkcc.edu/academics/as-engineering-technology, or contact Director of Public Relations, Amber L. Ernst-Leonard at amber.ernestleonard@fkcc.edu/305.809.3531. 


Answer to s-TE-m at Work Puzzle #60: Pump Part selection for thick fluid applications



Analysis
Technician rebuilds positive displacement pumps for a customer that uses pumps to transport viscous fluids.  The Tech knows customer uses their pumps to move a fluid that gets thicker when the pump applies more pressure on that moving fluid. This puzzle can trigger discussions at multiple levels: an introduction to viscosity and the simple recognition that curve (a) is not linear combined with puzzle clue (see last month for complete puzzle wording) that constant viscosity curves are linear;  the visual (approximate) slope, m, calculations, y=mx for both curves;  a discussion of curve shape implication when both models demand that Stress = (Viscosity)(Shear Rate) but viscosity changes; implication that more Stress must be applied as fluid gets thicker to have the same Shear Rate as constant viscosity fluid.  The most intense lesson includes Newton's law for Viscosity and fully developed velocity profile for flow of a Newtonian fluid entering a long pipe.


                                                                             
Question:
Does the Technician selected Repair Kit Pump #440?                                        
YES OR NO


Answer : YES

BAMA Annual STEM Scholarship Awards

 
Every year, Bay Area Manufacturers Association (BAMA) hosts a Scholarship, STEM, and Awards dinner to support manufacturing education. This event highlights one of BAMA’s primary initiatives, which is to support education through scholarships and STEM programs. The BAMA Scholarship program helps provide financial assistance to deserving high school students and post-secondary students from Hillsborough and Pinellas counties who wish to attend college, or a technical education center to pursue a manufacturing, or technology-related career.

This year, BAMA recognized the winners of the 2017 BAMA Scholarships, Science and Engineering Fair winners, and many more STEM programs. The event also provided attendees a chance to meet the scholarship winners, and learn how the award will help them achieve their goal in a manufacturing discipline, whether it be engineering technology, or a skilled trade certification. Attendees also got a chance to watch the winners of the science fair present their projects.

During the science fair winner’s demonstrations, FLATE supported Dariya Bagley, one of the Hillsborough County middle school award winners, with her project “Reliable Robot to Robot Communicator Using Sensors.” She used a NAO robot to provide examples of her programming skills.

There were a total of 14 Awards & Recognitions: Five BAMA Science/STEM Fair Winners (K-12 students), and nine BAMA Scholarships awards. The program also featured two keynote speakers: Randy Houseman and Johnny Campbell. BAMA ended the evening by reflecting on all the positive achievements of the past year with the association and looked forward to future initiatives. 




In addition to its regional support for Manufacturing, BAMA has also been one of FLATE's strategic partners in promoting manufacturing education. In 2016, BAMA partnered with FLATE for Manufacturing Day-related efforts and has been one of the key sponsors for the FLATE summer robotics camps that play an integral role in stirring middle and high school students’ interest in robotics and learning about its applications in high-tech manufacturing. For more information about Bay Area Manufacturers Association (BAMA) please visit their webpage here. For information on FLATE please visit our webpage here, or contact Dr. Marilyn Barger at barger@fl-ate.org.