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

7.1.0.1 Two percent of ATE projects indicated coordination networks as a primary purpose of their grant.

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

  • Advanced Technological Education Coordination Network for Knowledge Sharing in Robotics/Automation and Cybersecurity intends to facilitate the sharing of best practices about how to develop community college students’ knowledge and skills in robotics/automation and cybersecurity.
  • Advanced Technological Education Network for Utilities and Energy Technical Education facilitated relationships and resource sharing between educators, industry leaders, and workforce developers focused on closing the workforce gap in the energy industry.
  • Center for Systems Security and Information Assurance (CSSIA) supported the development of successful cybersecurity certificate and degree programs across the country.
  • Collaboration of Midwest Professionals for Logistics Engineering Technology Education Project facilitates the Ohio Supply Chain Academic Network (O-SCAN), a collaboration between the supply chain industry and higher education.
  • Implementation of an Industry-Recognized Credentialing System for Biotechnicians brought together two-year colleges, high schools, administrators, industry, and policymakers to increase industry recognition of a credential.
  • Manufacturing Alliance Keeping Education Relevant to Technical Employee Competence (MakerTEC) seeks to find solutions for the advanced manufacturing sector that result in meeting their skilled worker needs and reducing costs.
  • Technician Education in Additive Manufacturing and Materials (TEAMM) is focused on identifying ways to address the convergence of materials science and additive manufacturing in technician education resources.
  • The Necessary Skills Now Network facilitates collaboration between educators and employers to improve the employability skills of entry-level technicians in STEM fields.

7.2 Conferences and Meetings

7.2.0.1 Two percent of ATE projects engaged in organizing a conference or meeting for the purpose of professional exchange in 2022.

Two ATE projects were explicitly funded to coordinate conferences or meetings in 2022. One additional projects indicated that hosting a conference was a main purpose of their grant. Of these 4 projects, 3 were able to host conferences in 2022. These 3 projects hosted a total of 6 conferences or meetings, with attendance that ranged from 30 to 790 people. ATE PIs identified the purposes of these events as networking and professional development, disseminating best practices, and bringing together stakeholders from industry and education.

Projects that organized conference or meeting events in 2022 included:

  • Center for Systems Security and Information Assurance (CSSIA) hosted four events around the internet of things.
  • Conference to Explore the Impact of Future of Work Issues on Technician Education in Florida hosted the second FLATE Future of Work caucus.
  • RoadMAPPs to Careers: A New Approach to Mobile Apps Education hosted a mobile app development mini conference.
  • Strengthening and Supporting the Community College Leadership Role in Advancing STEM Technician Education hosted the 2021 ATE conference and two meetings for the 2019–21 and 2021–23 MentorLinks cohorts.

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