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Chapter 7 Professional Exchange

7.0.0.0.1 Bringing together professionals from different organizations and geographical locations facilitates knowledge diffusion, collaboration, and professional interaction (Chai & Freeman, 2019). Research has shown that “diverse collaborative networks” enhance innovation and complex problem-solving (Biancani et al., 2014).
7.0.0.0.2 The ATE program has two funding tracks that support activities to catalyze professional exchange. One such track supports coordination networks, which facilitate collaboration and communication about research, training, and education across disciplines, organizations, and geographical boundaries. The other track provides funding for conferences, meetings, and events to improve understanding of advanced technological education issues (National Science Foundation (NSF), 2021, p. 9).
7.0.0.0.3 ATE PIs whose projects hosted conferences or similar events were asked to identify the names and purposes of the events and the number of attendees. Those engaged in network coordination were asked to identify the purpose of their networks.

7.1 Coordination Networks

####Seven ATE projects indicated that developing and facilitating coordination networks was the primary purpose of their grant.

  • National CyberWatch Resource Center Capacity Building is advancing the development of evidence-based strategies and practices for cybersecurity education and workforce development.
  • National Applied Artificial Intelligence Consortium is fostering the development and implementation of technician-level AI courses, certificates, and degree programs.
  • National Electric Vehicle Consortium (NEVC) is providing a venue for national collaboration to network training needs with training providers to provide broad-scale outreach and community building among educational institutions; industry; professional, trade, and regulatory associations; educators; and practicing technicians within the EV ecosystem.
  • The Educational Alliance for Semiconductor Experiential Learning supports a novel education alliance centered on multimodal immersive experiential learning at a leading-edge semiconductor facility.
  • Preparing a Skilled Technical Workforce through Utilization and Assessment of Undergraduate Research provides more undergraduate research experiences to community college students.
  • National Information Technology Innovation Center (NITIC) leverages a mix of experienced and emerging community college partners to serve as leaders within their technology clusters to expand collaboration and develop future leadership for the ATE community.
  • Implementation of an Industry-Recognized Credentialing System for Biotechnicians that gives students a portable credential that is recognized across the nation, thus helping to address the workforce gap in the life science industry.

7.2 Conferences and Meetings

7.2.0.1 Twelve percent of ATE projects engaged in organizing a conference or meeting for the purpose of professional exchange in 2024.

No ATE project reported a grant under the “conferences or meetings” track in 2024; however, Three projects reported that hosting a conference was the primary purpose of their project. Thirty-three other projects organized conferences or meetings in 2024. These 36 projects hosted a total of 66 conferences or meetings, with attendance that ranged from three to 24,000 people.

Projects that organized conference or meeting events in 2024 included:

  • Enhancing Preparation of Students for Technical Careers in Cloud Computing Technologies organized an event called “IT Ready!”
  • National Electric Vehicle Consortium (NEVC) organized the Second Annual NEVC Conference and hosted a virtual conference.
  • Advancing STEM Technician Education & Innovation: The Community College Leadership Role hosted the 2024 ATE PI Conference and hosted an event called “MentorLinks Project Meeting”.

References

Biancani, S., McFarland, D. A., & Dahlander, L. (2014). The semiformal organization. Organization Science, 25(5), 1306–1324.
Chai, S., & Freeman, R. B. (2019). Temporary colocation and collaborative discovery: Who confers at conferences. Strategic Management Journal, 1–27.
National Science Foundation (NSF). (2021). Advanced technological education program solicitation (NSF21-598). Washington, DC: Author. https://new.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/ate-advanced-technological-education/nsf21-598/solicitation