A localized national engineering education and research outreach model for engineering workforce pipeline

Abstract

A consortium of eight universities and three US Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories was established in 2014. This consortium is implementing a model for industry, academia, and government partnership focused on pipeline development of skilled workforce through advanced manufacturing. This paper reports on the expansion of STEM outreach activities with a focus on advanced (additive) manufacturing for K-20 as well as the enhancement of education and training of individuals as implemented in one of the consortium member institutions. The outreach components involved the training of undergraduate students through summer exchange at universities as well as through summer internship placement at national laboratories. A local outreach to middle / high schools was established through the implementation of an advanced manufacturing skills development after-school program for middle school students. The paper also presents the model curriculum for the outreach program and shows the integration of undergraduate students and K-12 teachers working together.