Developing a Technician Education Pathway for Metal Additive Manufacturing

Metal additive manufacturing is transforming advanced manufacturing by enabling the efficient production of high-performance, customized metal components for aerospace, defense, automotive, and other critical industries. This project aims to strengthen the nation's advanced manufacturing workforce by expanding the pipeline of mechanical engineering technicians skilled in 3D metal printing, quality assurance, and additive manufacturing processes. Sinclair Community College, in partnership with Wright State University, regional manufacturers, and K–12 schools, will develop and implement a comprehensive technician education pathway in metal additive manufacturing. The project will create new educational opportunities that connect secondary and postsecondary students to high-demand technical careers, expand access to industry-recognized credentials and work-based learning experiences, and increase pathways to a bachelor's degree. Activities will include the development of a hands-on curriculum focusing on metal additive manufacturing, the use of a Developing A CUrriculuM (DACUM) process to identify workforce competencies, integration of industry-standard equipment into technician training, and sustained engagement with STEM teachers and FIRST Robotics students. Project outcomes will include new and revised curricula, expanded educator capacity, increased student participation in additive manufacturing education, and dissemination of adaptable instructional resources and technician education models that can be replicated nationally. The goals of the project are to increase the number of technicians qualified to work in metal additive manufacturing, strengthen industry engagement in curriculum development and workforce preparation, expand student access to industry-recognized credentials and work-based learning, and create stronger transfer pathways to four-year engineering technology programs. Activities will include development of two new mechanical engineering technology courses, revision of three existing courses, acquisition of advanced metal additive manufacturing and quality-control equipment, implementation of summer professional development workshops for secondary STEM teachers, outreach partnerships with FIRST Robotics Competition and FIRST Tech Challenge teams, and collaboration with Wright State University to align curricula and to support student transfer. Using a rigorous curriculum development methodology, the project will advance understanding of effective technician education models, study strategies for integrating emerging technologies into community college programs, and evaluate approaches that connect secondary education, technician preparation, industry engagement, and transfer pathways. Project evaluation will use a mixed-methods approach to examine implementation, student outcomes, educator outcomes, credential attainment, and workforce engagement. Results will be disseminated through national conferences, industry associations, professional networks, and the NSF ATE Central repository. 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.