Strengthening the Power and Impact of the Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Program

This project will investigate and document the impacts, collaborations, and outcomes of NSF's Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program, the projects and centers it supports, and the valuable resources and activities developed by its grantees. The project has four primary goals: (1) building and sharing a comprehensive body of knowledge about ATE impacts; (2) showcasing innovation and contributions within the ATE community; (3) fostering collaboration among educators, industry partners, and stakeholders; and (4) creating pathways, materials, and approaches designed to strengthen outreach and dissemination efforts across the ATE program and the technician education ecosystem. Activities will include collecting, collating, and maintaining data, stories, and photographs from the ATE community, as well as producing publications, videos, and other communication and engagement materials and resources designed for the higher education community as well as public and professional audiences. The project's deliverables will encourage educators, students, industry leaders, and other stakeholders to better understand and engage with the impactful work supported by ATE funding. Working directly with grantees to collect qualitative and quantitative data, the project will provide a clear, comprehensive view of the work being carried out within the program. On a broader level, the project will not only document the specific achievements of individual grantees but also generate an evidence-based perspective on the value of applied STEM education and the critical importance of the skilled technical workforce to national competitiveness and economic growth. Furthermore, the project will showcase the impacts of community colleges on advancing the nation's skilled technical workforce. This project is funded by the Advanced Technological Education program, which focuses on the education of technicians for the advanced-technology fields that drive the nation's economy. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.