8th Annual STEM Professional Association Event

Middleton High School (http://middleton.mysdhc.org), a Pre-Collegiate STEM Academy, would like to invite you to our 8th annual “STEM Professional Association Event” from 6:00-7:30 PM on Thursday, March 22th, 2018.
This STEM Professional Association Event is held on an annual basis to connect Tampa Bay area students, parents, educators and professionals in order to promote student interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers.

A robotics demonstration will be conducted by Middleton High School robotics club students, winners of the 2012 World FTC Robotics Championship and 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 Florida State FTC Robotics Championships!
Middleton's Electrathon Car, powered only by commercial rechargeable batteries weighing no more than 73 pounds, designed and built by students will be on display.



Here is the evening's agenda:
5:30 - 6:00 Check-In / Networking / Refreshments
6:00 - 6:15 Welcome / Announcements
6:15 - 6:45 STEM Presentation / Q&A
6:45 - 7:15 Robotics Demonstration
7:15 - 7:30 Honors & Awards


Organizations invited to this year’s event include:
·      American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
·      American Society for Quality (ASQ)
·      Association for Supply Chain Management (APICS)
·      Bay Area Association of Medical Instrumentation (BAAMI)
·      Bay Area Manufacturers Association (BAMA)
·      Brewster Technical College, Industrial Machinery Maintenance Program
·      CareerSource Tampa Bay
·      Florida Advanced Technological Education Center (FLATE)
·      Florida Medical Manufacturers Consortium (FMMC)
·      Hillsborough Community College (HCC) Engineering Technology Program
·      Institute for SupplyManagement (ISM)
·      Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
·      Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE)
·      Manufacturing Alliance of Hillsborough County
·      Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI)
·      National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
·      Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
·      Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) Tampa Bay
·      Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
·      Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA)
·      Upper Tampa Bay Manufacturers Association (UTBMA)
·      Women In Defense (WID), Greater Tampa Bay Chapter
This STEM event will take place at Middleton High School, 4801 North 22nd Street, Tampa, FL 33610 in the Media Center, located on the second floor of Administration Building 100. Guests are encouraged to bring their family members to join us for this awesome Science, Technology, Engineering and Math event!

Thank you sponsors!
This event is sponsored by the Bay Area Manufacturers Association (http://www.bama-fl.org) and Society of Manufacturing Engineers (http://www.smetampabay.org).


Thu, March 22, 2018
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM EDT

LOCATION
Middleton High School
4801 North 22nd Street
Tampa, FL 33610


Final Florida Manufacturing Day 2017 Data

FLATE, the Florida-based National Science Foundation Regional Center of Excellence, together with its network of statewide industry partners, FloridaMakes, and Hillsborough Manufacturing Alliance worked cohesively to coordinate the 2017 industry tours and events across the state.
As you may remember 2017 Manufacturing Day was impacted by inclement weather, some Florida Manufacturing Day (MFG Day) 2017 tours originally scheduled for October were postponed to 2018. Additional MFG Day post surveys received by FLATE in January and February 2018 revealed exciting numbers demonstrating, once again, great impact in Florida.  Based on our MFG day/Month statewide industry tours data base, 5,070 students, 120 parents and chaperons, 359 educators across Florida participated in approximate 165 Made in Florida industry tours to 123 high-tech industry sites (including 5 virtual tours. 100% of responses to the surveys stated the tour was a good use of company time and resources. There was an impressive 93% change for girls, who responded the survey, considering a career in advanced manufacturing before and after the tour (n=2,202 Student Surveys Collected Statewide).
A special thank you goes to all our Florida MFG Day partners from around the state. MFG Day is a huge program, and such a successful MFG Day would not have been possible without your contributions of great student tours and events. These tours and events showcased some fabulous Florida industries and manufacturing careers to the next generation of the workforce. For more information on FLATE's statewide strategy for Manufacturing Day/Month and photos of the student tours, please visit www.madeinflorida/manufacturing-day , or contact Dr. Marilyn Barger, Executive Director of FLATE, at barger@fl-ate.org.

ATTENTION MANUFACTURERS! Looking for manufacturing/engineering technicians?

Look no farther than your nearby State or Community College that offers the A.S Engineering Technology. During the 2016-17 academic year, the Engineering Technology (ET) A.S. Program Student Enrollment grew to 2,062 across the state. 

Find out where to look for your next technician workforce!  Check out the many details about manufacturing related enrollment and completions in Florida by downloading the posted report “2012-2017 FLDOE Student Enrollment Completion Trend Study” on the FLATE website under Engineering Technology Education (under the big Florida map) It contains break out data by degrees and certificates for enrollment and completers and also contains the 5-year trend data for related secondary and post-secondary programs in the state. Here are some A.S. ET program highlights:

·         Number of Colleges Adopting the ET Program 19 (23 in Spring 2018), out of Florida's 28 Community and State Colleges
·         Total ET Program Credit Certificate (CCC) Student Enrollment was 408
·         Related Technology AS Degree Program Student Enrollment Excluding ET Degree and CCC programs was 3,015    
·         % Female Enrollment in ET Program - 11%
·         % Female Enrollment in Related Technology Program - 27%
·         % Minority Enrollment in ET Program - 47%
·         % Minority Enrollment in Related Technology Program - 48%

Map of Colleges offering ET Degree in Florida

Manufacturing Excellence in Florida (part 3)

                         
 FLATE’s focus is all about manufacturing excellence in Florida.  FLATE FOCUS is one way we keep you in the loop.  This manufacturing excellence series indicates what FLATE is doing to support manufacturer’s goals for product quality and production excellence.

Last month we indicated that a partnership between FloridaMakes and FLATE is being developed.  Both organizations have mission elements that deal with manufacturing workforce development and both draw resources from the federal government to accomplish their goals.  FloridaMakes executes the United State Department of Commerce Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center in Florida, while FLATE is also the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education Center for Manufacturing (NSF-ATE) in Florida.  This partnership with the long-term goal to develop a world-class technical workforce will be the human resource backbone for Florida manufacturing.  The union also allows the blending of focused resources and expertise to address the challenges generated by Florida's need to have a highly talented manufacturing workforce pool.

At this point, the partnership will address four target mechanisms as key elements in creating the talent resource manufacturers’ need;

  • Work-based Learning
  • Internship & Apprenticeships
  • Skill Certification
  • Talent Pipeline Development.

Although these elements are foundation pillars for talent pool development, they are not addressed within a unified education strategy.  Work-based learning as well as internship and apprenticeships are viewed as standalone components for workforce training.  The overall talent pipeline development does reside within the K-16 academic structure but it has, at best, a dim focus on manufacturing workforce career options.  Our MEP-ATE partnership in Florida is unique to the nation and it will result in a dramatic difference in the way these four workforce developments elements are addressed in Florida.

The first step is to alter the perceptions of manufacturers and educators in Florida about what these talent resource development elements are and how they should be integrated into Florida's education mechanisms and systems.  For example, skill certification is an important mechanism for building a strong connection between manufacturing workers possessing specially honed skills and easy access to 2-year technical degree programs available through the Florida State College system.  The MSSC (Manufacturing Skills Standard Council) Certified Production Technician ( CPT) is a great model example.

The MSSC-CPT was the first worker held industry credential that FLATE integrated into the Florida Department of Education framework structure.  Workers with a CPT credential are automatically entitled to 15 college credit hours as a component of the Florida College System Engineering Technology, ET, degree program.  This corresponds to one quarter of the total credit hours needed to acquire this Associate of Science degree.  It also articulates to two other A.S. programs, but for fewer credits.

The “win-win” connections are clear:  The worker has a strong incentive to enter the ET degree program; Workers in degree programs represent good candidates for manufacturers to move into higher responsibility positions; The colleges have more students in the ET program that have industry experience that can be shared with other students.  The challenge?  Not enough manufacturers, workers, career counselors, and human resource directors know about this manufacturing career path.  

This need for increased awareness by people involved in the manufacturing workforce space is exactly what FloridaMakes can facilitate.  Within its MEP activities FloridaMakes is constantly interacting directly with manufacturers and regional manufacturing associations all about Florida.  FLATE, by contrast, activities are directed to the education system that will generate new members of the advanced manufacturing workforce.  FLATE does interact with manufacturers across Florida but not nearly at the scale, repetitiveness, and effectiveness of FloridaMakes.

Partnering with FloridaMakes simplifies joint efforts to bring nationally recognized industry credential in to the community college education space and amplifies the benefits of credentials across the manufacturing workforce. Infusing skill credentials into the fabric of Florida’s education systems requires complementary action by education and manufacturing stakeholders. It also requires the answer to a host of "W" questions starting with; Which credential? And then immediately followed by the other classic 5 "W" questions:  Who uses it? What skills? Where does it fit in CTE education? Why a statewide need and When should it be taught? 

As a closing summary sentence: we (FloridaMakes and FLATE) represent a natural entity that has the knowledge, expertise, and experience to work with the Florida Department of Education, manufacturing interest, and the certification agencies to insert important industry recognized manufacturing related certification programs in the Career and Technical education pathways available within Florida's public school, technical college, and state college systems but input from you as to the credentials needed is the important first step of the process.  Please, take a little time and send us your thoughts.



What is the MEP (Manufacturing Extension Partnership) National Network?



 The MEP National Network is a unique public-private partnership that delivers comprehensive, proven solutions to U.S. manufacturers, fueling growth and advancing U.S. manufacturing. The MEP is focused on helping small and medium-sized manufacturers generate business results and thrive in today’s technology-driven economy, the MEP National Network comprises the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP), the 51 MEP Centers located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, and over 1,300 trusted advisors and experts at more than 400 MEP service locations, providing any U.S. manufacturer with access to resources they need to succeed.


Each MEP Center is a partnership between the federal government and a variety of public or private entities, including state, university, and nonprofit organizations. This diverse Network assists manufacturers in communities across the country.

For every $1.00 of federal investment1, the MEP National Network generated $27.20 in new sales growth and $27.30 in new client investment in FY 2017. This translates into $3.5 billion in new sales annually. For every $1,291 of federal investment, MEP helps to create or retain one manufacturing job.  You can download the 2017 MEP infographic with facts about manufacturing and manufacturing’s impact on the American economy.  There are more downloadable infographics about manufacturing at the same link.


Can the MEP National Network help community college manufacturing technician degree programs? With a growing number of skilled technical manufacturing jobs unfilled across the country, the MEP is very interested in partnering with colleges as one strategy to help address the growing skills gap in the manufacturing workforce.  You can also get information like that provided in this article from your state MEP. FLATE is now partnering with the Florida MEP, FloridaMakes to connect our two networks, one of manufacturers and the other of 2-year college technical program educators. We are defining economic impacts of our college graduates for the manufacturing companies where they go to work. We encourage all our post-secondary technical educators to partner with the MEPs in their states.
                   
Visit the MEP website for more information and to find the MEP in your state.


On-Time and Drug Free



“On-Time and Drug Free” is often the first pass response to the open-ended question to a manufacturer: “What do you expect of a new employee”.  Important qualities of a new employee but not new or needed information.  FLATE’s quest to help structure the CTE and State College system education options into a platform to create a world-class manufacturing workforce in Florida goes way beyond the high level of social skills and work ethics standards expected of that workforce.  Avenues for instilling these qualities are already resident in the nationally recognized manufacturing related credentials included within the Florida Department of Education guided career paths.  In addition, the rigor and continuous demands of the Associate of Science degree in Engineering Technology assure an employer that the path to needed work based social and interaction skills are in place and practiced by every graduate.  The “Drug Free” requirement reflects a serious social problem at the national level that a technical education structure can only indirectly addresses.  Perhaps the nation is ready to address this issue.  However, students that do earn rigorous nationally recognized credentials and the Engineering Technology degree also possess an internal drive that fosters a drug free lifestyle. 
If Florida is to create the workforce to meet a global manufacturing mission, FLATE needs information that has moved beyond this first tire, “On-time Drug Free” response category.  This year FLATE and FloridaMakes will interact with manufacturers and regional manufacturing Associations to drill down into the skill set expectations of manufacturing workers that will increase process efficiency and product quality.  This exploration requires extra energy from all parties but the increased details will refine the processes Florida uses to produce the fundamental non-competitive technical expertise necessary at all levels of manufacturing.  Florida has a great future in global manufacturing when the needed skills development is transferred to the education system.  FLATE can help with that transfer into the education system but manufacturers have to identify the critical skills.  If you can help, let us know. Contact us at flate@fl-ate.org - anytime.        

FLATE’s MSSC Workshop a Huge Success!



Last week, Florida educators interested in manufacturing education attended a 1½ FLATE workshop about new aspects of the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council Certified Production Technician (MSSC-CPT) credential. A packed agenda was centered around the undated standards from the MSSC Panel of Experts for the CPT as well as a new hands-on tool to support MSSC student learning, “Skills Boss”.  The integrated small trainer was designed to provide hands on activities that support the MSSC workplace standards.  The Skills Boss will be especially helpful for those who have little or no experience in the manufacturing workplace, including high school students.

The workshop included six hours of hands on activities led by D.C. Jaeger and Amatrol personnel working at 4 stations on exercises that support each of the four MSSC assessments. An industry panel of employers at lunch on Friday detailed how some companies used MSSC CPT, their need for skilled, knowledgeable workforce, and how they partner with colleges and schools. Ken Jones from the Hillsborough County Manufacturing Alliance, James Moore from CardioCommand (medical devices) and Mercedes Heredia from Mitek (steel plates for construction) made up the diverse panel.  An opening panel of educators who have been using the MSSC CPT for a few years, discussed how they integrated the CPT into their program of study, what grade level students took each of the four assessments and the importance and challenges of including hands on activities particularly to support their high school students.  

Leo Reddy, MSSC Chairman and CEO, also attended the workshop and addressed the attendees on Friday giving some information about MSSC’s new pre-apprenticeship program and the upcoming CPT+ credential that will include hands on skills as part of the overall assessment. MSSC Implementation of this new credential will begin within the next six months. He also spent time listening to the high school MSSC educators to learn more about their working environment and the students they have in their classrooms.  Ted Norman, former State Supervisor of Manufacturing and currently FLDOE Director of Apprenticeship, Adult and Career Education, provided updates from the Florida Department of Education and how the state curriculum frameworks provide smooth pathways from middle school, through high school and into aligned post-secondary programs.

FLATE could not provide a workshop like this without help from various contributors and we want to thank them all for their participation and support: MSSC and D.C. Jaeger for meals; D.C. Jaeger, Amatrol and HCC for equipment, workshop materials and instruction; and FACTE (Florida Association of Career and Technical Education) for educator participant travel. Thanks also to our speakers, Leo Reddy, MSSC, Ted Norman, FLDOE, and our industry and educator panelists for taking time to share their experiences. Over thirty manufacturing educators from around the state participated and found the workshop to be of great professional development value. Over 95% of the attendees agreed that the all aspects of the works were very good or excellent. Comments included: “Excellent workshop!” and “We are looking at starting the CPT program. This was excellent information for us”. 

For more information about MSSC, visit their website or, locally in Florida, visit the D.C. Jaeger site.  To learn more about FLATE and our educational resources visit the FLATE website, sign up for our monthly FLATE Focus Newsletter, or contact Dr. Marilyn Barger, FLATE Executive Director at barger@fl-ate.org. Resources and presentations from the workshop will be posted on FLATE’s wiki.


2018 FLATE Awards deadline for nominations are coming soon


2018 FLATE Awards deadline for nominations are coming soon April 13, 2018! Send in your Nominations

FLATE's Distinguished Manufacturing Service Recognition Program, hosted by the Florida Association for Career and Technical Education-FACTE, brings recognition to both secondary and post-secondary educators as well as recognizes key personnel for outstanding contributions to promote technology education and career awareness in support of manufacturing.

Awards Categories

2018 FLATE Distinguished Manufacturing Secondary Educator-of-the-Year Award
Recognizes a high school educator for outstanding contributions to manufacturing and/or engineering technology education. Recipients of this award must have made significant contributions toward innovative, unique and novel programs and have shown a professional commitment towards manufacturing industry.

2018 FLATE Distinguished Manufacturing Post-Secondary Educator-of-the-Year Award
Recognizes a community college or technical school educator for outstanding contributions to manufacturing and/or engineering technology education and training of today’s advanced manufacturing workforce. Nominees for the award must have demonstrated an impact on technology education at the local, state, and/or national level.

2018 FLATE Distinguished Manufacturing Partner Service Award
Recognizes key personnel for outstanding contributions to promote technology education and career awareness in support of manufacturing.

Awards Timeline – see Flyer

·      April 13, 2018 – Online Nomination form I . To be completed by nominators. 
·      May 1, 2018 – Online Nomination form II . To be completed by nominees. 
·      May 1, 2016 – Nominations close.
·      May 31, 2018 – Award selections.
·      June 4, 2017 – Award recipients and principal nominators are notified of their selection. 
·      July 17, 2017 – Awards presented during The Annual FACTE Conference & Trade Show held at ChampionsGate, FL 33896.

Special Thanks to FLATE’s Awards sponsors

Honoring 2009 FLATE Industry Distinguished Service Awardee Michael Ennis

Mr. Michael Ennis, Manufacturing Engineer at Harris Corporation, was one of the distinguished FLATE 2009 awardees recognized for his outstanding contributions to promote technology education and career awareness in support of manufacturing. Mike was very instrumental in setting up several Brevard Community College classes at their Harris location, now known as Eastern Florida State College. Mike has dedicated his free time to helping young people succeed in STEM fields. His volunteer efforts include EFSC-Industrial Advisory Board, FLATE-Visiting Committee, EDC of the Space Coast, EDC-Industrial Council, MASC – Chairman, Space Tec – NATAC, Certec – NATAC, MSSC Industrial Advisory Council, Junior Achievement of Brevard, and FloridaMakes. In addition, Mike had developed STEM-based curricula for colleges across Florida, teaches college engineering technology courses and maintains a program at Harris that helps technicians go back to school. His patience, dedication, mentorship, and support to technology and manufacturing educations makes him one of the most valuable FLATE Industry Distinguished Service Awardees.

 
 Michael Ennis, first from right, mentoring FL engineering students during the 2012 Iberian Partnership for Technician Excellence Training in Spain.







Thank you Mike for all your contributions and dedication to Florida manufacturing education and training.

For more information about FLATE Awards visit fl-ate.org/programs/flate-awards, FAITE.us, and FACTE.org