FLATE Sessions at HI-TEC 2015

Expand your network, acquire new high technology skills, and gain knowledge of industry trends and best practices!

Join Technological Education and National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education (NSF ATE) leaders and educators July 27-30 in Portland, OR for the High Impact Technology Exchange Conference (HI-TEC).  This premier event is a unique conference opportunity sponsored and produced by NSF ATE centers and projects.

HI-TEC, a national conference on advanced technological education, draws an audience of hundreds of secondary and post-secondary educators, counselors, industry professionals, trade organizations, and technicians. Charged with Educating America’s Technical Workforce, the event focuses on the preparation needed by the existing and future workforce for companies in the high-tech sectors that drive our nation’s economy. 

Innovators and leaders in the technology field; Michele Weslander Qauid, Chief Technology Officer for the Public Sector at Google and Param Jaggi, Founder and CEO of Ecoviate will be featured as keynote speakers.

Attendees have the option to choose from approximately 15 preconference workshops and 4 industry site tours during the first 2 days, followed by the 2-day main conference featuring keynote speakers and 60 breakout sessions. There will also be an awards luncheon and Technology Showcase with an exhibitor reception, door prizes, and more! For more information visit http://www.highimpact-tec.org. 

FLATE Sessions at HI-TEC 2015

Additionally, FLATE will be presiding a number of sessions at HI-TEC 2015. To sign up, or for more information on these sessions email Dr. Marilyn Barger at barger@fl-ate.org. 

Tues (Jul 27) 1:00-4:00pm

½ day Workshop: Roadmap to Mechatronics: Programming with PLCs (Tues Jul 28) 

This workshop focuses on the important integrating aspect of communications in mechatronics systems. Three hands-on activities will fill most of the workshop with basic PLC programming exercises developed to demonstrate the applicability of small, affordable trainers to larger trainers and industrial systems. Ultimately, small trainers can expand delivery options of PLC courses. Currently, remote students must settle for working with online or computer-based simulations or occasional travel to a college lab for hands-on experiences. The session will close with facilitated discussions of ways to integrate this equipment into mechatronics programs and opportunities for outreach and professional development.   

(Tues Jul 28) 6:00-8:00 pm

Mechatronics Moments III

Join us for the 3^rd annual Mechatronics Moment.  MMIII will bring together like-minded attendees who have a casual interest in or deep passion for mechatronics. Sign up to tell your mechatronics story in a fast paced, fun evening networking with colleagues from around the country.  Registration online required.  Refreshments will be served.

Wed (Jul 28) 10:15-11:00am

Emerging Trends in Mechatronics Education

Mechatronics is an emerging advanced technology that supports a broad array of industry sectors including energy, manufacturing, supply chain, transportation, and municipal utilities. To keep up with technology and workforce needs, traditional mechanical and electromechanical programs have had to evolve, adding a new communication layer to the already complex systems that we might call “smart machines.” A panel of educators and industry representatives will discuss emerging trends in mechatronics education. Topics will include: industry certifications, industry needs, online learning, and remote equipment access.

Marilyn Barger, FLATE, Tampa, FL; Alex Anzalone, Hillsborough Community College, Tampa, FL; David Ewel, South Central Community College, North Mankato, MN; Ernie Friend, Florida State College, Jacksonville, FL; Stephen Girard, PMMI, Elgin, IL;
Dan Horine, Virginia Western Community College, Roanoke, VA

Wed (Jul 28) 11:15am-Noon 
Tools, Resources, and Strategies to Make Your Projects Shine

Ready to take your project to the next level? Or are you considering applying for an ATE grant? In this interactive session, panelists from ATE projects and centers that offer resources and support to faculty and project managers will lead roundtable discussions and share resources and tools for managing and disseminating successful projects. Participants will select three roundtables to join to learn about newsletters, summer camps, publications, teaching technicians.org, Twitter, Facebook, videos, webinars, Outreach and Social Media Kits, and lots more! You will develop a plan for taking your project from blah to bodacious!

Marilyn Barger, FLATE, Tampa, FL; Rachael Bower, ATE Central, Madison, WI; Anna Kolliopoulos, SC ATE Center of Excellence and Mentor-Connect: Leadership Development and Outreach for ATE; Mike Lesiecki, MATEC Networks, Phoenix, AZ; Anthony Manupelli, Pellet Productions, Reading, MA

Thur  (Jul 29) 9:15am-10:00am  

The New National Institutes for Manufacturing Innovation and Their Role in Current and Future Technician Education

The first set of National Institutes for Manufacturing Innovation represents the beginning of a $1 billion initiative by federal and state governments and industry to advance the commercial deployment of new manufacturing technologies to improve our economy and its global competitiveness. Workforce development, including the leveraging of the ATE and TAACCCT programs, is a specific goal of these Institutes. Representatives from a number of these Institutes will convene to discuss the work of the Institutes and provide a vision for how their resources can help educate the next generation of high-technology technicians. 
Moderators: Thomas Deits, Institute for Advanced Composite Manufacturing Innovation, Okemos, MI; Marilyn Barger, FLATE, Tampa, FL; Panelists:  Dean Bartles, Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute, Chicago, IL;  John Muth, America Innovation Institute, Raleigh, NC