Mayra Socarras wins 2026 FLATE Distinguished Manufacturing Post-Secondary Educator of the Year Award

Congratulations to Mayra Socarras, Assistant Professor of Semiconductor Engineering Technology at Valencia College in Florida's High Tech Corridor, where she leads the state's only Associate of Science (AS) program in Semiconductor Engineering Technology. Drawing on her engineering experience, Socarras is bridging critical gaps in STEM education by also teaching in the Math Department, specializing in Developmental Math to help students unlock opportunities in high-tech fields while advancing workforce development and talent pipelines essential to Florida's semiconductor industry. As an innovative educator specializing in active learning, she is dedicated to fostering the next generation of engineers and technologists.

A leader in robotics and engineering mentorship, Socarras has served as head coach for FIRST Lego League teams, earning the President of the United States Volunteer Service Award for her community contributions and demonstrating a deep commitment to fostering STEM innovation. Her teams—The Fellowship of the Brick, The Girls’ Army of Engineers, and Knights of the Old Republic—garnered top statewide honors in Florida, including Outstanding Technical and Team Performance, Robot Design, Robot Performance Score, Project Presentation, and Teamwork, with a first-place tie in the 2010 State FLL Competition.

Mayra's engineering foundation stems from her tenure as a Senior Design Engineer at The Boeing Company from 1987 to 1999, in NASA’s Space Shuttle Program. She received NASA's Return to Flight Group Achievement Award for her electrical systems review following the Space Shuttle Challenger accident, contributing to NASA’s STS-26 Return to Flight mission. She holds a Master of Science in Industrial Electronics and Computers and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Miami.  

When asked why she thinks manufacturing education is important, Socarras states

The manufacturing sector is currently facing a significant talent shortage. Due to retiring workers, insufficient new qualified applicants, evolving skills requirements and lack of visibility, millions of jobs could go unfulfilled. Education and training programs directly help close this gap by preparing students to apply and succeed in these roles. Manufacturing jobs often offer competitive compensation, benefits and advancement opportunities. Therefore, manufacturing education often serves as a bridge between poverty and the middle class. Modern manufacturing relies on advanced processes like automation, robotics, data analytics and smart factories, manufacturing education ensures workers from all walks of life can implement and optimize these technologies rather than being left behind. Due to outsourcing manufacturing to other countries, the United States in the last few decades has become dependent on foreign suppliers which has weakened our economy. Currently, the United States has changed its policies in favor of bringing back manufacturing within our borders, in order to satisfy trading partners, grow our GDP, create high-paying jobs, and help families prosper. As a matter of national security, manufacturing education is critically important. By investing in robust manufacturing education, the United States can not only fill critical gaps but also secure a resilient, self-sufficient economy that empowers workers and strengthens the middle class.

Mayra Socarras has made outstanding contributions to manufacturing and engineering technology education and training through developing the curriculum for Valencia College’s A.S. degree in Advancing Emerging Industries. This forward-looking program equips students with essential skills in semiconductor manufacturing, directly addressing the manufacturing sector’s significant talent shortage. Caused by retiring workers, insufficient new qualified applicants, evolving skills requirements, and lack of visibility, this gap threatens millions of unfulfilled jobs.  The curriculum prepares students to apply and succeed in roles that offer competitive compensation, benefits, and advancement opportunities, serving as a bridge between poverty and the middle class. It ensures workers from all walks of life can implement and optimize advanced technologies rather than being left behind. By supporting the United States’ policy shift to reshore manufacturing, the program helps reduce dependence on foreign suppliers, grow GDP, create high-paying jobs, and strengthen families and the national economy.  Through this initiative, the nominee has advanced the education and training of the future advanced manufacturing workforce at Valencia College. 

Congratulations again to Mayra for her support of manufacturing education and career awareness!  For more information on the FLATE Awards visit http://fl-ate.org/programs/flate-awards, or contact Ernie Friend, Executive Director of FLATE, at ernie.friend@flate.org.

2026 Spring Forum on Engineering Technology - Advancing Faculty Development and Florida’s Manufacturing Talent Pipeline

 

The statewide Forum on Engineering Technology (ET) was held April 16–17 at Daytona State College, Florida. The 57th Forum brought together 55 participants representing 19 Florida state and community colleges, two universities, and special guests from Moraine Valley Community College. 

This year’s event welcomed first-time faculty participants from Eastern Florida State College, St. Petersburg College, and the College of the Florida Keys, further expanding the ET community of practice across the state.

The program also featured timely sessions on AI for Educators led by NCyTE, as well as updates and engagement opportunities from FAME USA, AMI, and ASME industry partners, highlighting emerging manufacturing trends. In addition, the Florida Department of Education and ET Forum leadership provided key updates on new ASET specialization pathways and statewide program developments. Together, these sessions offered practical insights, resources, and connections to strengthen both new and experienced faculty.

For decades, the ET Forum has served as a vital platform for connecting Florida’s diverse, geographically distributed engineering technology community around shared challenges and priorities. With support from the Florida Department of Education, FLATE collaborates with the ET Forum network to strengthen the consortium, share statewide initiatives, support professional development, foster industry–academia collaboration, and engage in curriculum framework review and reform. Over time, the Forum has evolved into a true statewide community of practice.

Special thanks to Daytona State College for hosting the Spring ET Forum and to the participating sponsors for their continued support and sponsorship.

Mark your calendar for the Fall 2026 ET Forum

September 10-11, 2026 at Palm Beach State College

 The ET Forum serves as a model for other disciplines and career clusters in Florida and for technical programs in other states. For more information about the Forum or the A.S. ET degree, visit FLATE ET Forum.

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Engineering Technology Forum Shapes Next-Gen Manufacturing Curriculum in Florida

Update on Advanced Manufacturing Specialization Transition

As reported at the ET Forum at Daytona State College by Robert (Bob) Blevins, Florida Department of Education (FDOE) Assistant Director, and Sam Ajlani, Associate Professor and Program Manager for Engineering Technology at the College of Central Florida, the Advanced Manufacturing Specialization, along with its four College Credit Certificates (CCCs), will not be removed in 2026–27 in favor of the new Automation and Manufacturing Specialization due to the current lack of approved CCCs supporting the new pathway.

The new specialization will move forward once its CCCs are developed and approved by FDOE, at which point the existing Advanced Manufacturing Specialization and CCCs will be phased out. Development of the new CCCs will be led by ET Forum subcommittees, with work beginning in the fall, continuing through spring, and targeted for completion by Spring 2027.

The ET Forum plays a key role in addressing Florida’s Technician Industry 4.0 skills gap by bringing together industry and education partners to ensure programs align with evolving workforce needs in automation and advanced manufacturing.

Strengthening Alignment in Manufacturing Education Pathways

The Florida Department of Education is exploring new AS degree structures that align more clearly with the Standard Occupational Classification and Classification of Instructional Programs codes. While some CCCs were updated in recent years to reflect federal CIP changes, current efforts aim to strengthen alignment for improved workforce tracking further.

This work may lead to the development of new AS degree programs that better connect education pathways with industry needs and reporting standards.

What's So Cool About Manufacturing® Video Contest - South Florida

On April 17, 2026, FLATE, in partnership with the South Florida Manufacturers Association (SFMA), part of the FloridaMakes network, proudly celebrated the participants and winners of the first ever “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing® South Florida” student video contest. South Broward High School hosted the red-carpet awards ceremony.

This milestone event marked the culmination of months of dedication, creativity, and collaboration. Middle school students from Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties stepped into the world of manufacturing storytelling—showcasing real companies, real careers, and real impact—while being guided and encouraged every step of the way by committed teacher-mentors and local manufacturers who generously shared their time, expertise, and passion for the field.

What stood out most was the students themselves—their curiosity, teamwork, and pride in telling manufacturing stories that matter. Each video reflects not just technical learning, but growth in confidence, communication, and career awareness.

A heartfelt thank you to all students, educators, industry partners, and judges who made this inaugural South Florida celebration such a success. Together, we are building more than a contest—we are strengthening the talent pipeline and opening students’ eyes to the many exciting STEM and manufacturing pathways in our region.

Congratulations to all participating teams:

• Bak MS – Scientific Instruments (Sicryo) (Outstanding Educational Value Winner), Coached by Shannon Owens
• Pompano Beach – Vector Climate (Outstanding Overall Program Winner), Coached by Orlando Morales
• Christa McAuliffe MS – Baker Hill Industries Inc. (Career Pathway Award Winner), Coached by Liz Laishley
• Hammocks MS – Costa Farms (Viewers Choice Award Winner), Coached by Lois Seaman,
• Palm Springs – WeeDoo Green Boat, Coached by Tara Simone McAlonan
• Attucks MS – Decimal Engineering Inc., Coached by Joseph Wells
• Millennium – CTS Engineering, Coached by Antonio Lee
• Arthur & Polly Mays Conservatory of the Arts – Mr. Glass Doors & Windows Manufacturing, Coached by Dr. Eric Martinez
• South Miami Middle – Miami Growth Machine, Coached by Alexander Gonzalez and Abraham Camayd

Special thanks to Greg Serio for his technical advice, South Broward High School for hosting, and to the Broward County Schools Career, Technical, Adult & Community Education (CTACE) Dream Team—Loli Formoso and Bryan O’Toole—for coordinating and making this event possible.

The “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing® videos can be viewed at https://fl-ate.org/whatssocool/.

Industry 4.0 Skills for Manufacturing Technicians: Adjusting Engineering Technology Programs to Respond to Industry Identified Skills

The National Science Foundation project Updating Florida's ET Career Pathways for Industry 4.0 Engagement was concluded on December 31, 2025 and its final report submitted in March 2026.  This project was led by FLATE (PI, Dr. Marilyn Barger). FLATE, a former NSF-ATE-supported Center for 20 years, is now part of FloridaMakes, the Florida Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). The U.S. MEP program is supported by the Department of Commerce. 

The grant was awarded in March 2022 to update the A.S. Engineering Technology program to include Industry 4.0 skills identified in a previous small conference grant (Future of Work Caucus) which brought Florida industries and educators together to define needed emerging manufacturing technician skills.

The grant had four highly active co-PIs: Sam Ajlani, College of Central Florida, Dr. Ron Eaglin, Daytona State College, Dr. Mori Toosi, Polk State College, and Dr. Sidney Martin, St. Petersburg College. They enthusiastically promoted engagement from twenty Florida College System colleges offering Engineering Technology in all aspects of this work. Additional recognition for their contributions goes to Dr. Jay Patterson and Susan Frandsen of St. Johns River College, and Shirley Dobbins of Hillsborough College.

This grant has successfully executed its grant-stated goals, promoted national awareness of Florida’s 2-year Engineering Technology degree program, and allocated its resources to support their continued success. The project had several goal areas with significant outcomes. 

The first goal was to determine the specific Industry 4.0 skills needed by the manufacturing industry in Florida. This goal required reviewing recent industry survey responses by having the 2-year college faculty who teach these skills review the responses, identify those that they already cover in some courses, and determine which of the industry responses were most important in their region. These data were collected from the twenty Florida Colleges that offer Engineering Technology A.S. degree programs and aggregated and analyzed. The outcomes included skills related to data (e.g., logging, visualization and interpretation) industrial networking and practical knowledge of cybersecurity hygiene. These topics would be included in a revision of the state level curriculum frameworks for the AS Engineering Technology degree. These frameworks do not define specific courses, but rather the skills that students must become proficient in (they can be taught in any appropriate course using new modules or units). The new standards were written by grant personnel, approved by the colleges and submitted to, and approved by the Florida Department of Career and Adult Education. College faculty are identifying which courses in their programs will include these topics and are developing appropriate curriculum modules. Important outcomes of this process: that it included all stakeholders, had a high level of participation throughout, and the collaborative nature of the work.

A second goal area focused on providing professional development for those faculty that need it for teaching the new skills needed. FLATE partners with Florida ET faculty, ATE experts and industry partners to provide educator professional development. It also leverages equipment at various college partners. For this project, FLATE hosted the NYcTE National Center for 2 workshops (Cybersecurity for Manufacturing and Implications of AI for Education). We also engaged with the Manufacturing Technology Deployment Group (MTDG) and FloridaMakes to develop tools for teaching and implementing edge computing capabilities in the 2-year Engineering Technology programs. With that foundation, we extended the edge computing workshop to shift to a smaller and more affordable microcontroller (Raspberry Pi) platform. Additionally, a small cohort of faculty worked through a series of five in-person workshops to upgrade their programmable logic controller programming skills. All the workshops above involved hands-on training. These hands-on workshops were complemented with several in-person and virtual technical webinars, presentations and demonstrations during the grant period.

This project’s third major goal area was to engage more industry partners with the colleges across the state. We did this by standing up a statewide industry advisory board (SETIAB – Statewide Engineering Technology Industrial Advisory Board) with the approval of the Florida Department of Education and a small industry focus group drawn from college local advisory boards. This small group developed a draft of the state board’s mission and operating “charter”. Industry members were recruited from local program advisory boards. The SETIAB meets in conjunction with the bi-annual Engineering Technology Forum (ET Forum) meetings. It convenes ET college faculty, program coordinators, vendors, and industry at different colleges around the state. A new SETIAB website highlights members of the SETIAB (https://fl-ate.org/setiab/). It is hoped that the SETIAB will elevate industry’s awareness of the ET program and encourage more manufacturers to engage with their local college program and this statewide advisory board.

To share the project’s work, the team engaged in many outreach and dissemination activities. These included several referred conference proceeding papers, presentations and posters at conferences including the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE), High Impact Technology Exchange (HITEC), the NSF ATE PI, Florida Association of Career and Technical Education (FACTE), the Florida Career Pathways Network (FCPN) and others. The project also produced videos highlighting the new curriculum, faculty, the ET colleges and the SETIAB. Presentations, papers, workshop materials, and posters are available at https://fl-ate.org/updating-floridas-et-pathways/ and the video series at https://flate-grant-spotlight.lovable.app/.