Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Centers
With an emphasis on two-year colleges, Advanced Technological Education (ATE) centers focus on the education of technicians for the high-technology fields that drive the nation's economy. The ATE centers, funded by the National Science Foundation, support curriculum development; professional development of college faculty and secondary school teachers; career pathways to two-year colleges from secondary schools and from two-year colleges to four-year institutions; and other activities. There are 33 ATE centers nationwide. Seven of those centers make up the ATE Centers exhibit: Bio-Link, FLATE, MatEd, NCME, NCTT, NetWorks, and RCNGM. Descriptions of those centers are below.

Bio-Link enhances and expands biotechnology education programs by providing cutting edge professional development for instructors, by improving curriculum, by making use of technologies, and by creating a system that promotes the sharing of information.www.bio-link.org

FLATE (Florida Advanced Technological Education Center for Manufacturing) has created a relevant statewide educational delivery system by supporting technical programs, curriculum development, best practices, student involvement, and outreach activities necessary to meet the workforce capacity and high performance skill needs of the manufacturing related sectors within the state of Florida.www.fl-ate.org

MatEd is a National Resource Center for Materials Technology
Education at Edmonds Community College. The objective of this center is to develop a clearinghouse of teaching materials for the broad field of materials technology. All materials considered for this resource center are peer reviewed and the focus is on innovative approaches to curriculum.www.materialseducation.org

NetWorks provides the venues for creating, sharing,
and promoting a premier collection of classroom ready materials, services, and programs for technician training, education, and faculty development in the areas of semiconductors, automated manufacturing, and electronics. www.matecnetworks.org

Amatrol is the world’s leader in skill-based, interactive technical learning. Their comprehensive learning solutions range from engaging high school students in the learning of basic science and math to teaching hands-on skills in the latest, highly sophisticated motor drives. Their interactivity, both in equipment and computer-based learning solutions, integrated with strong alignment to industry needs, is what makes Amatrol the industry’s leading technical education provider. Amatrol’s learning solutions include interactive multimedia as well as print-based student learning materials, virtual trainers, teacher’s guides, industrial quality hands-on training equipment, and instructor training.

URL: www.amatrol.com

CORD is a national nonprofit agency providing innovative change in education. For nearly 30 years, CORD has created partnerships with secondary and postsecondary faculty and administrators, employers, and communities to improve student achievement, reduce dropout rates, increase transitions to higher education, and prepare students for rewarding careers. Through needs assessments, curriculum design, technical assistance, and faculty development, CORD can provide customized, effective solutions that are as unique as the challenges you and your students are facing.

URL: www.cord.org

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded by inventor Dean Kamen in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, NH, the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization delivers accessible, innovative programs that build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math. In 2007, over 70 organizations offered $8 million in college scholarships just for FIRST participants.

URL: www.usfirst.org

LEGO Education North America is dedicated to building tomorrow’s engineers and scientists early. LEGO Mindstorms Education is the next generation in educational robotics, enabling students to discover science, technology, engineering, and math through a contextual hands-on process. LEGO Mindstorms combines the LEGO building set, user friendly software, and progressive curriculum activities to provide students with the right tools to put their knowledge into practice and challenges them to come up with new ideas themselves.

URL: www.legoeducation.com

The MATEC Module library has been redesigned and updated. MATEC Modules’ new all-web format is designed for educators, trainers, and learners in the areas of semiconductors and advanced manufacturing. The all-web format makes it easy and convenient to use in the classroom, and through student directed learning, as well as self-study. Organized in eight clusters, the topics range from troubleshooting, through process and vacuum technologies, to statistical process control and factory dynamics. The modules feature learning activities, animations, simulations, and lab activities all designed to be delivered in the classroom or other learning spaces via the web. The modules can be adapted for delivery through individual management systems. The institution or company utilizes the module library through a cost effective fee that grants access to members of the institution on an annual basis. SAME-TEC attendees can apply for a trial account to explore the MATEC Module library.

URL: www.matec.org

National Instruments (NI) is committed to enhancing engineering and science education worldwide by providing educators and students with powerful graphical system design software and modular hardware to connect the curriculum with the real world. Professors and students benefit from industry-leading, professional tools such as NI LabVIEW graphical development software, which helps students visualize and implement engineering concepts. The integration of LabVIEW in the classroom
creates an effective, dynamic learning environment – from primary schools to research laboratories in universities. NI also offers resources to universities to support laboratories, research, and student programs and competitions.

URL: www.ni.com/academic

OP-TEC is a national center for excellence in advanced technological education in optics and photonics. It has developed materials and strategies for infusing appropriate optics and photonics into semiconductor manufacturing curriculum. Funded through a National Science Foundation grant, it is committed to developing a robust supply of well-educated engineering technicians to maintain the nation’s technical and economic dominance in photonics, lasers, and related technologies. OP-TEC has formed strategic partnerships with many professional associations and postsecondary institutions.

URL: www.op-tec.org

PASCO manufactures innovative Physics and Engineering laboratory equipment and computer data acquisition systems. Our goal is to provide
high school and college teachers with complete solutions for their labs with
apparatus that is designed specifically for teaching.

URL: www.pasco.com

For more than 35 years, Richland College of the Dallas County Community College District has focused on teaching, learning, and community-building. Richland helps students build their future through courses that can be applied to the first two years of a baccalaureate degree, associate degrees or certificates in a number of career fields, and training in the latest technology for students who want to advance in their current careers. The student body of nearly 15,000 college credit students and more than 7,000 continuing education students at Richland is internationally and ethnically diverse, speaking more than 90 first languages.

URL: www.richlandcollege.edu

The Science Source and Daedalon produce science educational materials for high schools, colleges, and universities. They design and manufacture all of their products in Waldoboro, Maine, to the highest standard and are prepared for the quickest delivery. Their goal is to produce innovative, affordable, quality science and technology teaching materials.

URL: www.thesciencesource.com

SCME (Southwest Center for Microsystems Education) provides the microsystems industry with workforce development models, materials, and professional development opportunities for communities developing microsystems technology clusters. SCME assists this industry in establishing national skill standards for technicians and creating a skilled microsystems workforce.

URL: www.scme-nm.org

SMC International Training develops training solutions in the field of
automation. Through their strong relationships and international scope, SMC
provides training systems for technicians to learn industry relevant skills
for today’s workforce. The AUTOMATE-200 automation training system is
the latest modular laboratory for application intensive education.

URL: www.smctraining.com

Teaching Systems, Inc. has been in business for over 42 years. Their goal is to provide outstanding solutions and service in technology for their customers in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.

URL: www.teachingsystems.com

Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX)
Providing relevant, real-world training solutions to meet your business needs. TEEX offers low-cost, high quality classroom and e-learning programs for electronics, manufacturing and semiconductor industries, including: troubleshooting industrial/
motor control circuits, programmable logic controllers, physical/chemical concepts, semiconductor processing, basic electronics, power supply components, business continuity planning, and online training and testing services. Their quality extension programs include instruction at all skill levels and specialized training courses equip clients with the essential skills necessary to keep up with today’s workplace requirements and technological advances.

URL: www.teex.com

For more than six decades, Texas Instruments (TI) has been committed to supporting education. They focus especially on core areas, such as math and science, to help foster the next generation of high tech workers. Graduates in these disciplines are the lifeblood of high-technology companies such as TI. Their commitment covers campuses across the United States and around the globe. TI values partnerships and programs that support educators and promote excellence. By leveraging financial resources, offering expertise, and donating equipment - TI strives to improve education and make higher education more accessible to under-represented women and minorities. In the past ten years, TI and its foundation have made grants totaling more than $75 million to colleges and universities.

URL: www.ti.com

Training Partner by GeoMetrix: Proven in the marketplace since 1992, Training Partner offers a lower cost, more flexible alternative to high-priced enterprise learning management systems. With the most comprehensive feature set available, Training Partner seamlessly blends instructor-led training with e-learning, and even mobile learning, for learning management without compromise. Complete resource, learner, skill, content, and financial administration supply a one-stop solution for mid-sized and larger organizations. With hundreds of successful implementations, their clients include Lockheed Martin MS3, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, KLA-Tencor, Justice Institute of BC, ABB, Mercedes Benz Canada, Counties of Orange and Riverside (California), and many more. Reach beyond your expectations with Training Partner – the next level in learning management.

URL: www.trainingpartner.com

The University of North Texas is a student-centered public research university and is the flagship of the UNT System. UNT offers 93 bachelor’s, 111 master’s and 50 doctoral degree programs, many nationally recognized, and is also one of the largest universities in Texas, enrolling more than 33,500 students. Founded in 1890, UNT takes pride in its outstanding faculty, high academic standards and diverse student body. Offering a traditional college experience at an affordable cost, UNT boasts a 19:1 student-faculty ratio and Division 1-A athletics. The university provides abundant opportunities for its constituents to discover the power of ideas.

URL: www.unt.edu