Broward College Explores Options to Upgrade Laboratory and Expand it’s ET Degree Offerings

Broward College is exploring options for expanding its A.S. degree in Engineering Technology (A.S.ET) degree. Earlier in May, Director of FLATE, Dr. Marilyn Barger and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Broward College, Preston Steele visited Hillsborough Community College’s (HCC) ET degree laboratories. Broward has started the process of updating its ET degree offerings as well as its lab spaces. The plans may include a move to a different campus from its current location and the addition of the new supply chain automaton specialization to the current advanced manufacturing and biomanufacturing systems specializations. 

FLATE's ET College Network

Earlier this semester, Steele visited Valencia College’s new ET degree labs at the Osceola campus that will be supporting advanced manufacturing and supply chain automation. “It’s so helpful to see what other colleges are doing and how they offer courses, layout and utilize the labs,” said Steele. “Gone are the days when a full class comes at a regularly scheduled time to a
classroom, or lab, and everyone works on the exact same exercise or activity.” Steele noted faculty now have to be nimble and able to field questions and solve problems on many topics/ areas.

Most colleges offer hybrid courses with “lecture” materials online and lab sessions scheduled individually per equipment needed.” At HCC, the labs are typically open for students from 10 a.m. to 7 or 8 p.m. Students sign up for a time slot on a particular piece of equipment. Shirley Dobbins and Ron Smith, both ET degree faculty at HCC say this hybrid system works great for them and their students as it accommodates students’ busy lives juggling between school, work and family. Together with their lab assistant, Dobbins and Smith cover the open lab hours where they work one-on-one with students. “A big benefit is that we have time to mentor the students and help each one with the material that they need the most help with,” said Shirley Dobbins.

You can learn more about these programs and what their graduates can do by contacting Shirley Dobbins and Preston Steele, or visit the ET Degree pages on www.madeinflorida.org.