tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12854920304092585912012-01-24T10:07:24.707-05:00FLATE Focus is the quarterly newsletter whose readership comprises of an eclectic mix of government, educational, community, and industry partners. It is published on a monthly basis and distributed to over 1000 individuals on a state(Florida) and national level.FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.comBlogger1741100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-13324939393268043632012-01-05T16:25:00.003-05:002012-01-13T10:07:44.799-05:00

Happy New Year! Before we move forward with new year’s resolutions, let’s take a quick trip through last year. Manufacturing in the US was a big story in the U.S. press in 2011. Manufacturing’s strategic role in our economy was highlighted, and brought to national attention. Americans are looking to manufacturing to move the economy forward. The Manufacturing Institute’s website (

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-17159276283617906242012-01-05T16:24:00.005-05:002012-01-06T16:07:38.372-05:00

There are lots of opportunities for students to get involved with extracurricular STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)-related competitions this spring. Science and engineering Fairs; robotic competitions; inventor competitions; technology education competitions; engineering expos offer students of all levels the opportunity to explore a STEM topic that interests them in a

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-21484229586308307822012-01-05T13:35:00.000-05:002012-01-05T13:35:45.216-05:00

A technician is working with a vehicle diagnostic system to determine if a subsystem in the vehicle is operating correctly. The technician uses the diagnostic system to compare the flow of charge, the current, in the subsystem’s electronic circuit to the energy divided by the amount of charge, the voltage, required if the subsystem is operating correctly. The subsystem under test has a current

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-34338857465763487002012-01-05T13:25:00.005-05:002012-01-05T18:07:06.385-05:00

As is often the case, the best of friends just want you to succeed and work quietly in the background to make that happen. The National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education program (NSF ATE) is exactly that type of friend to Florida technician education. Since NSF ATE began working with two year technician education programs in 1991, the beginning of 2012 is an appropriate time to

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-21292895156455207012012-01-04T12:49:00.008-05:002012-01-09T11:28:18.042-05:00

Nano-Spring is occupying Florida! Yep, you are reading it right here in the FLATE Focus before it is even being considered by the mainstream media. This spring FLATE is promoting several small scale device and Nano related technology events. The first, as is the case with all exciting breaking news, has just been completed. FLATE partnered with the SCME, the NSF Southwest Center for Microsystems

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-39506835393949624252011-12-09T14:09:00.004-05:002011-12-09T14:31:00.064-05:00

Dr. Marilyn Barger congratulatesFLATE Awardees at the 2011 MAF Summit. Whoever can believe that it is December already. As we all scurry around sharing holiday festivities and fun, ‘tis the season to also squeeze in some time to review the year that is almost over and our plans/dreams for the one starting in just a couple of weeks. FLATE spent some of this past year critically evaluating

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-55618194645643346632011-12-09T14:06:00.003-05:002011-12-15T10:19:24.114-05:00

A technician working for a semiconductor manufacturing facility removes residual molecules that have been adsorbed to the inside surface of a below atmospheric pressure chemical deposition chamber by heating the chamber for several hours. The heat from this “bake-out” process drives the adhered molecules back into the gas state so they can be pumped from the chamber. To perform this procedure,

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-12873390523190896112011-12-07T14:33:00.009-05:002011-12-09T16:43:44.016-05:00

Career and technical student associations (TSA) through their respective missions play a prominent role in creating an environment where students can aspire to be the best in advanced technology careers. FLATE recognizes the importance of these organizations and has established partnerships with various career and technical student organizations throughout Florida. The Engineering Club at

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-64539285083129290072011-12-07T14:22:00.002-05:002011-12-07T14:32:02.591-05:00

In an effort to meet the computer automation and robotics technology training needs of manufacturing employees nationwide, Gulf Coast State College (GCSC) is offering the Mobile Laboratory Training Kit, a flexible, cost-effective alternative to standard training methods. Kim Allan, project coordinator for the technology division at GCSC says with the mobile kit “there’s no need to send employees

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-66282104383362828372011-12-07T14:15:00.002-05:002011-12-07T14:19:10.101-05:00

Florida is home to a growing FIRST (For Recognition and Inspiration in Science and Technology) program that includes more than 60 high school level FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) teams, as many FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) teams, a high school program, and over 400 elementary and middle school FIRST LEGO League (FLL) teams.  Robots at TNT  FIRST is increasingly in the public eye, from the

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-84212747821112446382011-11-04T15:41:00.006-04:002011-11-09T14:05:41.993-05:00

I am proud to say I am CPT-Green. What does that mean? Last month, the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC) rolled out a new credential: “Green Production Module.” The credential will be the fifth module in the Certified Production Technician (CPT) program. For the meantime, the CPT-Green is an optional module (i.e., it is not currently required for full CPT certification). A current

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-25885491422289529842011-11-04T15:38:00.005-04:002011-11-07T18:06:07.186-05:00

“I have always liked working with my hands” says Greg McGrew, recipient of FLATE’s Manufacturing Secondary Educator-of-the-Year award. McGrew graduated from Indiana State University with a B.S. and master’s degree in technology education, and has been teaching for over 25 years. His love for teaching stems from his teachers in school who instilled his love for designing, fabricating and simply

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-7876020291898751362011-11-04T15:31:00.005-04:002011-11-08T15:32:10.646-05:00

Creativity and innovation are key indicators for driving and measuring success, and are integral parts of the learning process. Given their role in the generation and creation of new products and processes, it is important to determine whether creativity and innovation are two sides of the same coin, or are they independent of each other? Are they an innate part of human nature, can they be

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-16706421300653558992011-11-04T15:30:00.000-04:002011-11-07T17:51:11.838-05:00

A technician works for U-Betch-em vacuum pumps and is calibrating three different sized vacuum pumps before they are shipped out to a customer. The Tech uses a test stand vacuum chamber with a very accurate know volume. The test is conducted by connecting the vacuum pump to the vacuum chamber, and then collecting the time versus pressure measurements as the gas in the chamber is removed by the

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-3077001871889151402011-11-04T15:28:00.007-04:002011-11-08T10:34:25.792-05:00

FLATE and the Banner Centers for Construction, Clean Energy and Energy, hosted the Florida Energy Systems Consortium (FESC), pre-summit energy workshop at Santa Fe College Center for Economic and Innovative Development, in Gainesville on September 26, 2011. The workshop served as a confluence for individuals from academia, industry and government to continue forging strong, lasting partnerships

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-47473742626169901272011-11-04T09:00:00.003-04:002011-11-04T17:12:44.600-04:00

pTEC is partnering with MSSC (Manufacturing Skill Standards Council) to provide a nationally-recognized manufacturing standard (CPT) Certified Production Technician training. We are hosting an information session on Tuesday, Nov. 15, from 11:45 AM– 1:00 PM at the Clearwater Campus, Center of Excellence, building one, room 6. The address is 6100 - 154th Avenue North, Clearwater, FL 33760. If you

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-13821157353582960412011-11-01T17:40:00.001-04:002011-11-08T10:06:10.497-05:00

FLATE won two best practice curriculum awards at the 2011 National Career Pathways Network (NCPN) conference in Orlando. The awards were presented to Executive Director & PI, Dr. Marilyn Barger and Co-PI, Dr. Richard Gilbert.

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-88698104716450927952011-10-03T17:15:00.011-04:002011-10-05T16:03:13.324-04:00

Every year, the Florida legislature passes legislation that affects workforce education. At the Engineering Technology Forum that took place at Florida Gateway College in Lake City (FGC) last week, Eric Owens, state supervisor of the Manufacturing and Transportation Career Clusters provided an overview of how the 2011 education mandates, related to career and technical education, will be

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-28823669398614442062011-10-03T17:11:00.009-04:002011-10-06T09:53:39.046-04:00

FLATE-led initiative to support high quality, international educational experience to Florida’s community college students and educators is well underway. This National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE)-supported, FLATE interaction with TKNIKA—an innovation Institute for vocational training established by the Vice Ministry of Education of the Basque

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-66485098856925770792011-10-03T17:10:00.006-04:002011-10-05T14:53:53.580-04:00

Creativity, innovation, and technology are the bedrock of the American knowledge-based economy. The Society of Manufacturing Engineers has been an effective vehicle in fostering technological advancement, and fueling innovation through creativity. SME is considered the “world’s leading professional society advancing manufacturing knowledge, and influencing more than half a million manufacturing

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-83007221301054125712011-10-03T17:07:00.000-04:002011-10-03T17:07:42.924-04:00

A technician works for the Florida Department of Transportation monitoring the amount of corrosion that occurs in the “rebar” of concrete bridge pillars. “Rebar” are steal rods that are embedded in the bridge concrete to give the bridge extra strength. The problem is that the bridge pillars are in salt water and the steal rods corrode. The tech uses a corrosion tester made by the “U-Betch-en”

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-16687387052881460242011-10-03T17:02:00.007-04:002011-10-05T10:57:22.381-04:00

On May 8, 2011, President Obama announced a goal to credential 500,000 community college students nationwide with skills certifications aligned to manufacturers’ hiring needs. Similarly, at the NSF Broadening Impact Meeting in Washington D.C., Jane Oates, assistant secretary for employment and training at the Department of Labor (DOL) called out to the nation’s community colleges to grant college

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-22500321433185759902011-10-02T13:43:00.005-04:002011-10-06T14:09:03.337-04:00

Each year FLATE hosts a robotics night for parents and middle school students who attend the LEGO robotics camps this year. This year’s fast paced, one hour information session, held at Hillsborough Community College in Brandon, served as a rich storehouse of information primarily on robotics and STEM, and was attended by 17 people. The program highlighted STEM (science, technology, engineering

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-24666758289716963462011-09-06T16:21:00.009-04:002011-09-08T10:35:21.468-04:00

With the start of a new academic year, I am happy to report that the two-year Engineering Technology degree has grown to include eight different specialization tracts (advanced manufacturing, advanced technology (composites), alternative energy systems, biomedical systems, digital design and modeling, electronics, mechanical fabrication and design, and quality) at 10 different colleges across

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-44287298325222919132011-09-06T16:18:00.014-04:002011-09-08T10:17:16.136-04:00

South Florida Manufacturers Association (SFMA) is a formidable voice for manufacturers in south Florida. Since its establishment in 1960, the organization has been a leading resource for manufacturers “saving its members time and money through workforce development, advocacy and networking.” The organization prides itself in being a leader in promoting international trade initiatives in the

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-77059343280645037182011-09-06T16:13:00.002-04:002011-09-08T10:21:22.449-04:00

A technician working for a shipyard that retrofits robotic arms for lifting cargo into storage compartments has just completed a computer controlled test of three new robotic arms (purchased from the Robotic Arm Division of the “U-Betch-em” Company) that have just been installed in the vessel cargo compartment. The computer has plotted the voltage verses displacement data for all three arms. The

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-8674375967910182322011-09-06T16:09:00.010-04:002011-09-14T12:29:24.460-04:00

When it comes to defining excellence in precision custom manufacturing, Southern Manufacturing Technologies, Inc. located in Tampa is considered the best in class delivering “value and outstanding quality” to its customers. Since its establishment in 1983, SMT has been a leader in providing high precision components and assemblies for aircraft, aerospace and defense industries. Some of its

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-81251791399017384122011-09-06T16:07:00.003-04:002011-09-06T16:08:01.973-04:00

As the U.S. Department for labor points to STEM as a “central” force in sustaining economic competitiveness and growth, focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is at an all time high, at all educational levels. Across the board, there is general consensus as well as consciousness to step up education and training efforts to prepare a fresh pipeline of workers who are

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-84285163932333629942011-09-05T09:24:00.000-04:002011-09-06T16:27:50.321-04:00

The National Career Pathways Network is bringing its 20th anniversary conference to Florida for only the second time in our history. The conference will be October 13–14 (with several preconference options on October 12), at the Orlando World Center Marriott. Although more than 40 of the conference presentations will be by fellow Floridians, there will be more than 100 presentations from

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-40940716307786130862011-08-08T12:55:00.006-04:002011-08-09T14:41:48.950-04:00

This summer, Governor Rick Scott asked the Manufacturers Association of Florida (MAF) to submit a list of five important actions that the state could take to better support Florida manufacturers. For context, MAF’s response included the current status of manufacturing in Florida. Here is that current snapshot and the five item “wish list” MAF submitted (see www.mafmfg.com). We all look forward to

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-11894533854289965172011-08-05T11:37:00.004-04:002011-08-08T13:22:59.591-04:00

They say “great teachers help create great students,” and an informed teacher is one of the prime components contributing to student success (Edutopia). FLATE is a firm proponent of this principle, and has taken several steps to educate the educator. Dr. Marilyn Barger, PI and executive director of FLATE (Florida Advanced Technological Education) says the Center is founded on “vibrant synergistic

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-25413973293892306372011-08-05T11:35:00.006-04:002011-08-08T13:27:27.630-04:00

Stefan Dueck and Nate Greaves are hard at work, fine tuning their robot that they have designed, built and programmed to compete in the final day challenge of the “Industrial Camp” for high school students. They have appropriately named their team “STEMulators” which they say is targeted to STEMulate passion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). Dueck and Greaves share a

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-85469449719222725442011-08-05T11:34:00.001-04:002011-08-05T11:34:27.023-04:00

A technician working for Tropicana is replacing a value in a pipe that delivers already squeezed orange juice to an automated container filling station. As the container is filled, the value receives a signal from a weight sensor under the container. As the container fills with juice, its weight changes and the electrical signal also changes. The sensor is used to change how much the value is

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-14908213973467042842011-08-05T11:26:00.006-04:002011-08-08T13:06:33.531-04:00

Educational costs are at an all time high. As the cost of higher education continues to soar, regional manufacturers associations are doing their part in augmenting the skill-set of deserving students and employees through scholarship programs. BAMA (Bay Area Manufacturers Association) of Tampa is a big proponent of academic advancement, and offers scholarships on an annual basis to promote

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-48924947003071848172011-08-04T12:30:00.001-04:002011-08-05T11:42:36.987-04:00

Do you know someone who deserves kudos for their relentless effort to position manufacturing at the forefront of Florida's economy? Would you like to recognize an industry colleague, an industry partner, and/or an educator at the secondary or post secondary education level who has made significant strides in educating and training today's technology workforce? FLATE awards are a great (and easy

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-46734907780772190412011-07-06T11:35:00.000-04:002011-07-06T11:35:14.207-04:00

“Great job” is a phrase all of us like to hear. Kids need to hear it in school when they master new concepts, athletes thrive on it, and scholars revel in being acknowledged for their accomplishments. Closer to home, all of us like to be recognized for our contributions to our work teams’ accomplishments, and teachers like to be recognized for the hard work they do every day educating our youth.

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-36257930490174841372011-07-06T11:34:00.007-04:002011-07-06T13:59:02.297-04:00

What would a greener Florida look like? As the state grapples to position itself as a leader in the development and production of alternative energy technologies, local organizations like FLATE are stepping up education and workforce development efforts to help meet Florida’s 2020 energy strategy (More information at FESC). This summer FLATE held, for the first time, energy camps for teachers and

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-82717660288054637012011-07-06T09:19:00.009-04:002011-07-06T11:03:14.642-04:00

FLATE’s vision to provide relevant information on educational best practices and state of the art technologies has been an effective resource in supporting educational and workforce demands of the high performance production and manufacturing community in Florida. As a leader in providing technician training, the Center facilitated several workshops this summer geared to expand the knowledge base

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-12742727070959835642011-07-06T09:16:00.004-04:002011-07-07T10:03:41.507-04:00

A technician working with a NASA high altitude balloon for atmospheric temperature data collection has transferred the transmitted data from the sensor system in the balloon into a data analysis computer software package. The software plot shows the pressure and temperature axes pointing toward higher values. The graph has pressure and temperature data relative to the altitude above sea level

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-57044266207755367892011-07-06T09:09:00.005-04:002011-07-06T13:57:12.504-04:00

FLATE (Florida Advanced Technological Education) Center recently received STEMflorida, Inc.’s “Best Practice Award for Excellence Integrating Needs of STEM-Enabled Programs into Engaging Curriculum and Educational Outreach Resources.” The award was presented on June 24 during the STEM Florida Think Tank at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport in Orlando, FL., and recognized FLATE’s

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-19617608594509754392011-06-06T13:32:00.013-04:002011-06-07T13:47:53.163-04:00

In April 2011, the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Strategic Plan Task Force of the FCR-STEM (the Florida Center for Research in STEM) published its strategic plan for Florida STEM education (Click Here to read the full report). This 60+ page effort focuses on K12 and post-secondary education. The declared task is to build a strong and deep STEM knowledge and skills based

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-72232843372652421652011-06-06T13:31:00.011-04:002011-06-09T10:16:21.133-04:00

Students at Lakewood Ranch High School (LRHS) in Manatee County, FL attained forward momentum this spring thanks to the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) Certified Production Technician (CPT) assessment that has created a cohesive pathway for high school students to become industry certified. Doug Wagner, director for career and technical education at the school district of Manatee

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-3858753271991725972011-06-06T13:29:00.006-04:002011-06-07T13:05:45.115-04:00

A vacuum pump pulls gas molecules down a long pipe by diffusion or convection. A technician must determine if the pump is making the gas move by diffusion instead of convection. In the former, the gas molecules move by random walk (“1 step back, 2 steps forward”) while in the latter, all molecules move in the same direction. The Tech starts the gas flow and monitors the time the gas takes to

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-79119887276736927302011-06-06T13:26:00.007-04:002011-06-07T13:00:44.159-04:00

They are young, they are innovative, and they have a passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Seth Dillon, Cody Torres, Jacob Argoncilli, Janya Capel and Dheron Barnes may be young, but it is not premature to envision them as future engineers. These fifth graders at Brooksville Elementary School (BES) in Hernando County are part of the engineering club at BES, and

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-38466460257362592011-06-06T13:25:00.008-04:002011-06-07T13:03:32.594-04:00

FLATE recently partnered with CTEF (Career Technical Education Foundation) in Palm Harbor, FL, to orchestrate a two-day “Industry Day” for high school students in the greater Tampa bay area. As a result of this effort, 125 students from the engineering academies at River Ridge High School in Pasco County, and 150 students from East Lake High School in Pinellas County toured 10 local high-tech

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-50581479172751009832011-06-06T09:32:00.003-04:002011-06-07T16:54:25.362-04:00

Summer STEM Camp for Teachers: A “Summer Camp Style” In-Service Workshop for Teachers HCC SouthShore Campus 551 24th Street North East, Ruskin FL 33570. June 21-23, 2011 Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This out of district, 15 contact hour in-service professional development workshop aimed at middle and high school teachers focuses on STEM curriculum and problem based learning (PBL) applied to the hot

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-88845205608255199832011-06-01T12:59:00.000-04:002011-06-06T14:14:02.869-04:00

(Click on images to enlarge)For specific questions contact Dr. Marilyn Barger at barger@fl-ate.org/813.259.6578, or Brad Jenkins at jenkinsb@spcollege.edu

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-31420850116281148312011-06-01T09:15:00.001-04:002011-06-06T14:38:04.485-04:00

Discussion Forum II (Sarasota) (click on image to enlarge)  For more informion on the forums visit http://www.fl-ate.org/news/events.html

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-77286627828497571562011-05-04T10:27:00.009-04:002011-05-05T10:54:34.246-04:00

Over the past two years, the Community College system has been a focus of discussion as the nation looks for ways to climb out of the extended downturn in the economy. Although companies are slowly starting to hire and rebuild their production teams, the new workforce is lean to the bone, and will never look the way it did prior to this recession. In most cases, this means increasing the use of

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-89834981381047779722011-05-04T10:22:00.007-04:002011-05-10T09:37:37.838-04:00

If it’s summer, it’s time to enroll the kids into FLATE’s robotics camps! FLATE is offering several STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) based robotics camps this summer, and has expanded its program to offer, for the first time, an industrial robotics camp for high school students. Dr. Marilyn Barger, executive director of FLATE says the distinctive characteristic of all camps is

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-40741735594785036272011-05-04T10:21:00.001-04:002011-05-04T10:21:35.430-04:00

At “We-Work-in-a Vacuum”, vacuum gages are used to indicate when a vacuum chamber is ready for a metal part coating process to begin. The technician opens the chamber door at room pressure and puts the part into the chamber. The technician understands that the metal part has molecules (oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen gas) initially adsorbed (stuck) on the metal surface. The tech, closes the door,

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-48979667544409564422011-05-04T10:12:00.009-04:002011-05-16T16:44:10.753-04:00

When it comes to combining credibility, quality and value, EEI Manufacturing Services, located in Clearwater, FL, stands tall in its commitment to excellence. EEI specializes in design services, circuit card assembly/box build, system integrations as well as comprehensive procurement logistic services capabilities. The company supplies products and services for instrumentation, aerospace/aviation

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-64223600042064097382011-05-04T10:11:00.004-04:002011-05-09T09:56:47.090-04:00

Initiatives designed to bolster interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), particularly at the elementary education level, are gaining state and national attention. Then too, there is much more to science and mathematics than solving plain equations, or working in a lab. Traditional mindset tends to isolate these elements into individualized compartments mitigating the

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-73745420594928903912011-05-03T12:19:00.024-04:002011-05-04T14:12:43.862-04:00

Check how high school and college students are earning their spot in Florida’s high-tech fast lane! Visit http://madeinflorida.org/student-profiles Profiles from College Students High School Student Profiles

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-67334182682696735302011-04-05T17:44:00.012-04:002011-04-06T18:09:46.798-04:00

This year the United States Department of Education (US DOE) has rolled out new Program Integrity Regulations that will impact all public and private colleges across the nation. As we have come to expect, when it comes to important issues like this, Jim Simpson at Florida State College at Jacksonville is on top, if not ahead of this issue. He has developed a comprehensive review of these new

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-50619458449913862112011-04-05T15:06:00.003-04:002011-04-06T18:22:58.636-04:00

Automation may have changed manufacturing operations, but globalization has changed the economics of “doing” manufacturing. Today’s global marketplace is comprised of the next generation of high-tech, high-skilled workforce that can work effectively across multicultural lines. FLATE is aware of this requirement in technical education, and is working with TKNIKA, an Innovation Institute for

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-66170530663694946032011-04-05T15:03:00.003-04:002011-04-06T18:48:08.863-04:00

A “We-Make-it-All” quality control technician is checking the operation of two identical pressure relief valves, PRV-078 and PRV-321. Each valve is attached to identical fixed volume closed container batch reactors. The valve is supposed to open if the pressure in the container goes above a set value, and close when the pressure drops below that set value. When identical, equal amounts of the

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-74638553608795566952011-04-05T14:56:00.018-04:002011-04-11T10:06:23.648-04:00

When it comes to defining aviation excellence, Pratt & Whitney (P&W) is considered “best in class” bar none. P&W, was founded in Hartford, Conn., in 1925 by Frederick Rentschler, and is a world class leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, and space propulsion systems. The company’s 36,000 employees supports more than 11,000 customers in 195 countries, and is the key

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-16652790277489468642011-04-05T14:55:00.021-04:002011-04-08T16:14:00.796-04:00

At first glance careers/educational pathways in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and information technology (IT) may not appear as a “go to” destination for women. According to a study conducted by the National Science Foundation in 2010, the number of people engaged in Science and Engineering-related professions has grown from 182,000 in 1950, to 5.5 million in 2007.

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-33090700817741258012011-04-04T19:07:00.005-04:002011-04-08T10:17:59.559-04:00

YOU can do it!  Make your colleagues a winner - nominate someone for a FLATE award! Submit your nominations at: http://www.fl-ate.org/projects/awards/index.html (Click on image to enlarge)

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-79477825190125796802011-03-02T16:42:00.014-05:002011-03-07T09:32:48.761-05:00

Putting a practical spin on sTEm is important to FLATE. The low energy approach to this renewed national interest in STEM is to leave each of the four components in its traditional environment, and then isolate the funding, effort, and signs of success to each separate silo. FLATE's view is that science and mathematics must be blended to support the engineering needed to create and then maintain

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-18374093212077146012011-03-02T16:36:00.015-05:002011-03-07T11:06:59.574-05:00

2010-11 Advertorial The “Made in Florida” manufacturing advertorials in Florida Trend’s NEXT magazine have been an effective vehicle in reaching thousands of high school students throughout Florida. The advertorials promote positive awareness of manufacturing careers and education, and serve as an educational roadmap for students interested in manufacturing as a viable and lucrative career

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-6387335906565936202011-03-02T16:35:00.005-05:002011-03-07T11:12:30.040-05:00

Who among us can deny a lab-on-wheels is a neat idea? It’s a breakthrough concept that has fired up the curiosity of many students pursuing an engineering technology (ET) degree at Florida Gateway College (FGC) in Lake City, FL. The mobile ET lab, the brainchild of Bob Deckon, director of the ET program at FCG, is a state-of-the-art facility that offers hands-on, minds-on education and training,

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-67270561487553263452011-03-02T16:32:00.005-05:002011-03-07T11:22:17.592-05:00

As mentioned last month, the Manufacturers Association of Florida announced the 2010 Manufacturers of the Year at their annual November meeting in Orlando. Each company was rated on nine various business parameters, an onsite tour and interview by a panel of 26 judges. Following are the winners in the larger employee categories. Danfoss Turbocor Compressors, Inc., Tallahassee (126-400 Employees

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-13636508218274430282011-03-02T16:19:00.003-05:002011-03-07T13:28:17.799-05:00

A “We-Make-it-All” product development technician is operating a fixed volume closed container batch reactor to make a test batch of miracle lotion “C”. A known mass of starter material, “A”, is put into the reactor and just heated so the “A” molecules rearrange their chemical bonds to form “B” molecules which then rearrange again to make the desired lotion molecules, the “C” molecules. After

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-37336190091290301652011-03-02T13:01:00.006-05:002011-03-03T12:59:59.346-05:00

The STEM Virtual Enterprise is an in-class pedagogical simulation that has students assume the roles of members of a high-tech enterprise and operate that business in face-to-face teams. It delivers technical, soft and business skills as part of an entrepreneurial experience comprised of a series of active-learning modules, online tools and student events. Faculty implementers have embedded it

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-49434403600531355172011-02-07T11:16:00.005-05:002011-02-07T13:43:43.992-05:00

FLATE’s Industrial Advisory Committee (IAC) meeting in January included a brainstorming session to map ideas for strategic directions for an additional round of funding from NSF. FLATE has been invited by NSF to submit a proposal for an additional three years of funding that begins in 2012, with a short preliminary proposal due by mid April 2011. The IAC broke into four groups which included a

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-41913620428760873982011-02-01T20:00:00.003-05:002011-02-07T13:26:04.520-05:00

Industry certifications ensure relevance in academic curriculum, and facilitate creation of “high-tech, high-skilled” employees. In Florida the Career and Professional Education (CAPE) ACT of 2007 provides a statewide planning partnership between business and education communities to expand and retain high-value industry critical to sustaining a vibrant state economy. click on image to

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-53834572725398236742011-02-01T19:28:00.002-05:002011-01-31T16:00:52.206-05:00

The Manufacturers Association of Florida announced four winners in the 2010 Manufacturers of the Year competition at their annual November meeting in Orlando. Each company was judged on: leadership; strategic planning; customer and market focus; measurement, analysis and knowledge management; workforce focus; and process management. The 26 judge panel narrowed the candidate field to one winner in

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-51108623273581525582011-02-01T19:15:00.003-05:002011-02-07T13:34:20.463-05:00

Want to give your students something to talk about? We're looking for high school and college students to appear in the brand new student profiles section of our Made in Florida website (http://madeinflorida.org/student-profileslorida.org/student-profiles). These profiles provide interest, encouragement in academic persistence, and real-life career examples to other high school and college

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-5360672916175158032011-02-01T19:00:00.000-05:002011-01-31T13:05:30.250-05:00

A U-Betch-Em Inc. technician is evaluating two new working fluids; UBetch-Em 205 and U-Betch-Em 210. The same mass of each fluid was tested in a test stand which was operated exactly the same way for both fluids. U-Betch-Em 205 has a heat capacity of 1200 calories/kg oC while U-Betch-Em 210 has a heat capacity of 1500 calories/kg oC. The heat capacity indicates the heat to be absorbed before 1 kg

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-34154583049515675182011-02-01T18:45:00.007-05:002011-02-08T10:17:37.134-05:00

Hello STEM Instructors: An exciting new program is now available for your students participating in job shadowing in manufacturing to publish their experience on the www.careerME.org website. We provide worksheet templates and instructions about this new program, as well as details about what deliverables students need to capture and create to be eligible to publish their report on the website.

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-50798750885999640062011-02-01T18:30:00.001-05:002011-01-31T15:50:52.071-05:00

In December 2008, Hillsborough Community College (HCC) signed on to the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment announcing its effort to eliminate the college’s contribution to global warming. In doing so, HCC became the first, two-year institution in the state of Florida committed to establishing goals leading to climate neutral emissions. As a first step, HCC conducted a

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-61836237327947645052010-12-06T15:08:00.002-05:002010-12-06T15:08:26.102-05:00

The Florida Association of Community Colleges (FACC) recognized FLATE Leadership Team member Brad Jenkins and FLATE Associate Director Dr. Marie Boyette at the November 2010 Crossroads Convention in Jacksonville.   St. Petersburg College’s (SPC) Engineering Technology program under Brad’s leadership was the recipient of a 2010 Chancellor’s Best Practice Award for recognition of programs that

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-57647581576061123242010-12-06T15:08:00.000-05:002010-12-06T15:08:06.440-05:00

As biotechnology interests and activities continue to increase in Florida and across the nation, a skilled workforce becomes increasingly vital to the success of this burgeoning industry.  The Florida Center of Excellence for Biomolecular Identification and Targeted Therapueutics (BITT) with its National Science Foundation partner, FLATE, continues to support the needs of local biotech companies

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-9240156691079593642010-12-06T14:58:00.003-05:002010-12-13T15:03:20.253-05:00

A double tube heat exchanger has an inlet and outlet for each of its tubes. In most cases, one tube is inserted inside the other and the hot fluid to be cooled is allowed to pass through the inside tube. After any maintenance or installation operation, the technician conducts a system test by monitoring the temperature response as each of the two fluids pass through its corresponding tube for a

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-33196185049882147652010-12-06T11:15:00.000-05:002010-12-15T11:18:21.440-05:00

We are very excited to end 2010 with the long awaited re-launching of our Made in Florida website.  In response to our fall 2009 stakeholder survey that many of you responded to, we found that we could address much of the feedback and many of the comments by making additions and upgrades to this site.  Please take a look at the new www.madeinflorida.org.  We now have a more focused area to

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-7907260615128783212010-12-06T10:23:00.000-05:002010-12-14T10:25:28.250-05:00

On December 11th, Hillsborough Community College’s Brandon Campus Conference Center was turned into a Florida Lego League (FLL) 2010 Qualifying Tournament site. This was the second year HCC and FLATE hosted this exciting event and attendance was well over 300 people.  Anxious parents, teachers and coaches watched as 24 teams from elementary and middle schools throughout the Tampa Bay area

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-15890136776494478212010-12-05T15:08:00.000-05:002010-12-16T12:40:01.817-05:00

Early in 2010, FLATE, along with representatives from the Florida Energy Systems Consortium (FESC), was invited to give testimony to the Florida Legislature regarding the best path towards educating a burgeoning energy technician workforce.  Follow-up work culminated with the Florida Department of Education approval of a new College Credit Certificate curriculum framework in July 2010 for an

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-49537128287882237732010-11-04T10:58:00.001-04:002010-11-04T12:09:52.646-04:00

Are we as a nation heading in the right direction with the many different programs and various approaches to enhance STEM education throughout the educational continuum, K-20? What have we learned from the past? What do we know about good teaching and learning practices that we should now implement? Will putting more money into the silos of STEM help produce the STEM workers we need now and will

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-2133039153071568062010-11-04T10:50:00.021-04:002010-11-08T17:06:08.935-05:00

Educators and manufacturers have long played a role in building a strong manufacturing base in Florida. Their cohesive efforts in laying the ground-work for innovation have secured Florida as a high-tech hot spot in the national arena. FLATE acknowledges the relentless contributions of educators and industry, and bestowed special honors to three individuals for their commitment in promoting,

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-5477063337933990892010-11-04T10:46:00.001-04:002010-11-04T10:47:09.928-04:00

The linear variable differential transformer, LVDT, is a sensor that indicates the linear change in the horizontal (vertical) position of a robotic arm and sends an electrical signal to indicate how much differential movement has occurred. The sensor makes symmetrical differential distance measurements; the output signal provided by the LVDT is simply a % of the total output signal the sensor can

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-17611792791321858802010-11-04T10:37:00.013-04:002010-11-10T10:13:42.107-05:00

Manufacturing has undergone monumental changes in the past few decades. Gone are the days when grandpa’s grimy machine shop was sufficient in meeting industry needs. Today manufacturing is all about automation and robotics that require high-tech, high-skilled labor. Despite the emergence of a new face in manufacturing, traces of the old visage still haunts the industry leaving manufacturers like

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-82495610340899609052010-11-04T10:35:00.014-04:002010-11-08T15:57:53.113-05:00

After initial focus groups with its industry partners, the FLATE leadership team realized that it needed an evaluation plan that would be of value when interacting with the National Science Foundation (NSF) as well as FLATE’s state wide industry partners. With this necessity in mind, FLATE decided to use the Florida Sterling Criteria for Organizational Performance Excellence as a basis for its

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-24088442940832756472010-10-06T12:55:00.005-04:002010-10-07T23:53:34.222-04:00

It is my extreme pleasure to announce that David Gula, FLATE outreach manager has been selected as the Brandon Campus Employee Excellence Award winner in the supervisory category. We are thrilled that he was selected as our campus awardee. Dave has worked tirelessly since 2005 as FLATE’s Outreach Manager. In his current role, he developed a comprehensive industry tour/field trip model that has

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-31387811986673877782010-10-06T12:54:00.004-04:002010-10-06T19:55:09.607-04:00

Career and technical education is an important component in building the knowledge and technical base of the 21st century workforce. The 2010 High-Impact Technology Exchange (HI-TECH) Conference held in Orlando, in July, served as a hot-spot for cultivating excellence in technical education/training. The conference was jointly hosted by two NSF ATE Centers, FLATE and SPACE TEC, and offered

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-17887009666375656312010-10-06T12:46:00.003-04:002010-10-06T22:49:28.765-04:00

The Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS) is an integral piece in Florida's K-20 system of articulation. This seamless system of articulation has been in place since the 1960s, and provides a database of post-secondary vocational courses at technical centers, community colleges, universities, and participating nonpublic institutions. Central to the system is its effort to assign numbers,

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-22352809891941070562010-10-06T12:37:00.001-04:002010-10-06T12:40:41.970-04:00

The linear variable differential transformer, LVDT, is a sensor that indicates a linear change in the horizontal (vertical) position of a robotic arm and sends an electrical signal to indicate how much differential movement has occurred. To increase their versatility and coincidentally emphasize the fact that the sensor makes differential distance measurements, the output signal provided by the

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-3709558389420586392010-10-06T12:25:00.005-04:002010-10-06T21:43:31.784-04:00

Did you know there are more than 14,000 manufacturers in Florida that employ roughly 372,000 individuals across the state? Ninety-one percent of Florida’s exports comprise of manufactured products that generate nearly $35 billion in revenue. These astounding figures demand close attention not only on the manufacturers, but on the products that are “Made in Florida”. FLATE’s Manufacturers

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-4043287269090589112010-10-06T12:23:00.004-04:002010-10-06T22:01:02.382-04:00

Career and technical education occupy a central role in steering global leadership and innovation. Given this integral role, FLATE hosted an informational session for middle school students who attended the LEGO robotics camps this year and their parents about educational/career pathways in various high-tech fields. Central to the event was its focus on providing current/relevant information

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-87931560777176709612010-09-03T15:55:00.009-04:002010-09-07T12:35:03.242-04:00

In conjunction with Labor Day, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM, www.nam.org) has released the 2010 annual index, “Made in America? What the public thinks about manufacturing today.” The objective of the annual survey/report is focused on three areas:manufacturing importance and image; future outlook for manufacturing and the talent pool; and competitiveness environment and areas

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-47921764695270589362010-09-02T10:54:00.024-04:002010-09-23T12:25:02.269-04:00

What comes to mind when you think about high-tech mass production, automation, and robotics? Chances are coupons and printing presses may not cross your mind. Gone are the days when Johannes Gutenberg labored over rolls of paper and ink. Today robotics and automation have revolutionized printing and made mass production possible. The paper and ink are still around, but the mind behind the

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-63393409601122650282010-09-02T10:41:00.012-04:002010-09-07T16:46:08.011-04:00

We all know science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are drivers of our economy. They form the nexus for launching lucrative careers that belong not to a distant future, but are “here and now”. In recent years STEM has gained considerable attention on the local and national level. Then too, STEM is not a “new” term. According to a study conducted by Enterprise Florida Inc., “

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-30718709921111817092010-09-02T10:38:00.001-04:002010-09-08T08:41:04.876-04:00

Everybody has something to do with nano, FLATE’s puzzle team is no exception! This time your water purity technician has shown you the graphic of the backflow test for the carbon nano-tube based technology water filtering system. When the water to be sold under your “purer than the driven snow” brand passes one way through the filter, the water is purified and then sent to the bottling facility.

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-67854776099200055262010-09-02T10:36:00.007-04:002010-09-07T11:51:32.032-04:00

Manufacturers in Florida’s capital region just got some forward momentum, thanks to a regional initiative targeted to provide high-quality, customized skills training for current and incumbent workers engaged in manufacturing. The Advanced Manufacturing Training Center (AMTC) at Tallahassee Community College (TCC) made its official debut in August, 2010, and represents a cohesive partnership

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-75266881323692024212010-09-02T10:30:00.001-04:002010-09-07T16:38:23.927-04:00

Join the High-Wage, High-Growth Advanced Manufacturing World. Get Enrolled and Get On Board, NOW! Who: Hillsborough Community College’s Technology Based Learning Initiative, the Employ Florida Banner Center for Manufacturing, and Polk State Corporate College What: An 80 hour course that will teach you the advanced manufacturing basics that employers are looking for in today’s workforce. How

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-21983752560746261182010-09-02T10:27:00.007-04:002010-09-05T11:54:05.063-04:00

FLATE is hosting “Programmed for Success…preparing students for robotics and high-tech careers” for a second time! The event will be held at Hillsborough Community College in Brandon on October 4, from 6 -7p.m., and involve parents of campers who attended the 2010 Robotics camps. The program will highlight local STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) -based resources as well as

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-16934761642392060672010-08-02T11:43:00.009-04:002010-08-04T14:48:05.861-04:00

I’d like to recap some highlights from the High Impact Technology Exchange Conference (HI-TEC) in Orlando the last week of July. The HI-TEC conference was sponsored by 25 NSF ATE Centers of Excellence. This second, of what will be an annual event, was hosted by FLATE and SPACE TEC which are two National Science Foundation centers in Florida. The conference offered several venues for networking

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-51326635820975973912010-08-01T12:23:00.006-04:002010-08-03T13:40:41.412-04:00

Focus on research for alternative and renewable energy sources is at an all time high across the nation. This surge in interest coupled with rising fuel prices, concerns over depleting natural resources has created a strong market for renewable energy sources. Among other forms of alternate energy like solar, wind, or hydro power, biomass energy occupies an important role in Florida. The state

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285492030409258591.post-1243470179514620882010-08-01T12:20:00.001-04:002010-07-30T12:46:11.032-04:00

Yep, I did it again! No previous puzzle data analysis this time either, however, another great puzzle. This time a technician for a laser research company is responding to a complaint that the beam is not steady. The initial thought is that the optics table is vibrating because one or more of the table’s shock absorbers is not working properly. The tech has obtained data about the table’s

FLATEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856021832232937930noreply@blogger.com0