Developing a pipeline for students from rural high schools into engineering technology and mechatronics at a two-year College (NSF-ATE projects)

Abstract

Three NSF-ATE projects have resulted in the successful efforts by Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College (OCtech) to develop pathways for students from rural high schools in South Carolina into post-secondary programs in STEM in the areas of engineering technology and mechatronics. Each of these awards has included as at least one objective related to establishing pathways into the STEM programs at the College. The projects included extensive collaboration and articulation agreements with K-12 systems in the region. The first project involved developing pathways utilizing dual enrollment from Project Lead the Way (PLTW) courses in the area high schools into the Engineering Technology programs at the College. The second project developed and made available alternative energy modules to both secondary schools and colleges. These modules could be incorporated into existing courses or used as components of an alternative energy course. The current project includes professional development in robotics for K-12 teachers, summer camps for middle and high school students, and the development of two courses in robotics that are curriculum components of the Middle College for high school students and the College's Mechatronics program. Resources developed include models of curriculum pathways, programs of study, Middle College programs with connections to STEM education both at the College and at the state and regional level and an e-learning platform hosted by the College to provide dissemination of the resources for K-16 instructors and students both statewide and nationally.