Advanced Technological Education (ATE) The ATE program promotes improvement in the education of science and engineering technicians at the undergraduate and secondary school level and the educators who prepare them, focusing on technicians for high-technology fields that drive the nation’s economy. The ATE program focuses on two-year colleges and expects two-year colleges to have a leadership role in all projects.The ATE program focuses on two-year colleges and expects two-year colleges to have a leadership role in all projects.

ATE ATE is in its 17th year, started with the Science and Advanced Technology Act of 1992 (SATA). Program Budget$52 million ($64 million) Look for a new solicitation FY2010 Preliminary Proposals (optional) April 2010 Formal Proposals October 2010

ATE Tracks Projects –Standard ($25, ,000/yr for 3 yrs) –Small projects for institutions new to ATE Centers –National ($5 million over 4 yrs) –Regional ($3 million over 4 yrs) –Resource ($1.6 million over 4 yrs) Targeted Research on Technician Education ($100,000-$300,000/yr for 4 yrs)

Small Grants for Institutions New to ATE Purpose –Simulates implementation, adaptation, and innovation in all areas supported by ATE. Available only to institutions that have not had an ATE award within the last 10 years –Broaden the base of participation in ATE. –Strengthen the role of community colleges in meeting needs of business and industry Proposers are encouraged to include resources of ATE and other NSF awardees and to include those people as consultants and subawardees. Limited to $150,000 with a maximum of 10% indirect (may change)

Centers of Excellence – National, Regional, Resource

San Antonio College Robyn McGilloway The goal of this project is to increase the number of qualified grades 6-14 science teachers in San Antonio who use technology-rich inquiry/lab-based pedagogies that are aligned with national and state science education standards. –multidisciplinary science partnership involving San Antonio College (SAC), San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) and Project BRIDGE education/industry partnership This project has the potential to improve science and technology literacy for at least 400 SAC and 1000 secondary students each semester. The project is also enhancing the San Antonio and regional educational infrastructure through improvement of networks and partnerships.

Cabrillo College Diego James Navarro –YouTube video describing the program at this site This project expands the successful Digital Bridge Academy (DBA) curriculum to include intensive math and science content. The new curriculum adds (1) a numeracy course and (2) a two-semester "science-intensive" course that includes additional mathematics and accelerated versions of high school biology, chemistry and physics courses. –The goal is to prepare students to be successful in the standard college level math and science courses they need in order to qualify for technician careers supported by the ATE program. The DBA program, has shown great success with high at-risk Latino, urban African American, and Southeast Asian Students. –The DBA program aims to become a national model for the recruitment, accelerated preparation, and retention of under-prepared, minority, and other at-risk students into careers as technicians for the high tech industries.

Cabrillo College Digital Bridge Academy: additional funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation College received a $2.9 million Title V Hispanic Serving Institution grant “High Engagement Practices for Transforming Students” 10/1/09-9/31/14

University of New Mexico Southwest Center for Microsystems Education Matthias Pliel Provides skill standards, curricula, educational materials, workforce development modules, professional development and outreach activities directed toward increasing the number and quality of technicians who can perform microsystem design and manufacturing. Develops associate degree programs in microsystem technology with industry-specific concentrations. Materials are designed for career pathways for secondary school students. Sandia Laboratories provides a loaned executive to the Center. Supported by ATE centers in biotechnology and semiconductor manufacturing as well as other industries and industry associations. Hispanic students and others from groups underrepresented in technical manufacturing are made aware of careers in microsystems manufacturing. A bi-national alliance is fostered to educate faculty at 54 technological universities in Mexico.