NSF PROGRAM WILL SUPPORT TECHNICAL EDUCATION

The National Science Foundation has awarded $26.9 million to institutions
under its new Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program, which is
aimed at improving the education of science and engineering technicians.

ATE represents NSF's first major effort aimed at strengthening the
industrial/technical workforce, and also is the first program that focuses
on the nation's two-year and community colleges. This is a new area of
emphasis for the National Science Foundation as technicians undergird the
infrastructure of United States industry as well as basic research in
science, mathematics and engineering.

The ATE program will fund the creation of three "Centers of Excellence" in
Iowa, Ohio, and Texas that will work to improve technical education.
Two-year colleges will lead these centers, which are consortia of
colleges, universities, government agencies, non-profit organizations,
businesses and secondary schools that will serve as leaders, models and
clearinghouses for model curricula, instructional materials and methods.

ATE will also fund 16 planning grants for potential future centers as well
as 39 projects aimed at reforming technological education. In total, the
ATE program will fund work in 26 states, the District of Columbia, and
Puerto Rico. The $26.9 million will be distributed over a three year
period. The center and project awards cover a wide range of advanced
technological fields, including biotechnology, environmental technology,
computers, chemical science, manufacturing, electronics, biomedical
engineering technology and geographic information systems.

"It has become increasingly apparent that for the United States to be
competitive in the world market, the technical component of the workforce
in the United States must be better prepared than the corresponding work
force in other industrialized countries," said Luther Williams, NSF
assistant director for education and human resources. "The Advanced
Technological Education program is a major new NSF initiative, begun in
response to this challenge."

Central to the ATE program is the development of strategies to strengthen
two-year college technician education and to improve the mathematics,
science and technology education base in secondary schools for those who
plan to enroll in technician education programs in two-year colleges.
Expanded opportunities for technicians at four-year colleges and
universities and post graduation employment are also included.

"This program exemplifies NSF's concern for the education of all students,"
said Robert Watson, director of the division of undergraduate education,
which manages the program. "The scientific and technical educational
community, along with business, industry and professional societies, has
been very interested in, excited about, and supportive of this new program
at NSF. Projects and centers will make major reforms in the education of
science and engineering technicians in strategic advanced-technology
fields."

The three centers will cover the areas of environmental education, advanced
manufacturing and distance education. The Environmental Education
Technology Center, a joint effort of Eastern Iowa Community College,
Kirkwood Community College, the Hazardous Materials Training and Research
Institute (HMTRI), and Partners for Environmental Education (PETE),
involves more than 300 community colleges. The center is developing
national curriculum models and instructional materials; establishing
comprehensive programs for professional development; serving as a
clearinghouse for environmental education information; and acting as a hub
for the networking of environmental educators, and representatives from
business, industry, federal agencies, and professional societies.

The Advanced Manufacturing Center is a joint effort of Sinclair Community
College, the University of Dayton, numerous local industries, and
secondary schools. During the development stage, the center will involve
community colleges in three other states, with significant other two- year
college involvement planned for the future. The center is acting as a
catalyst to improve science, mathematics, and advanced manufacturing
instruction by developing an advanced manufacturing curriculum beginning
in grade 11 that will continue through an associate degree program, and
culminate in a bachelor's degree.

The distance education consortium, led by Texas Technical College in
Sweetwater, involves several institutions in Texas, New Mexico and
Oklahoma. The project is developing methods and materials to deliver
technical courses through distance learning.

"Mounting a major national effort to improve the education of technicians
requires that all groups involved in technician education become
proactive. With support from the National Science Foundation and others
who share this vision, it will be possible to make a difference in how
science and engineering technicians are educated at all levels in this
country," said Margaret Cozzens, director of the division of elementary,
secondary, and informal education, which is helping to manage the
program.

NSF awarded 16 planning grants to institutions in 14 states that want to
create centers. However, a total of 20 states are represented because a
number of the institutions are consortia. NSF also awarded 39 project
grants to assist educators with curriculum development projects. The 20
largest projects include developing and testing curricula nationwide. The
project grants are also aimed at faculty enhancement and laboratory and
instrumentation improvement.

"These centers and projects are key to meeting the nation's growing need
for integrating advanced science and engineering technology into
undergraduate education," Williams said. "The United States must continue
to be a world leader in these areas."

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