South Central College Receives $611,234 National Science Foundation Grant to Expand Innovative Mechatronics Education Program

South Central College (SCC) has been awarded a $611,234 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program to expand its successful Independent Mechatronics Education Curriculum (iMEC) distance learning model. The three-year project, titled “Expanding the Technician Workforce through Independent Mechatronics Education Curriculum,” will increase access to mechatronics education for rural and underserved communities while enhancing the curriculum to meet evolving industry needs.

Building upon the success of its original iMEC model, SCC is working with Fond du Lac Tribal Community College and Lake Superior College to launch the next generation iMEC 3.0. The three colleges will work together to deliver mechatronics instruction and hands-on remote training equipment for high school students in northern and southern Minnesota. Students will be able to take multiple iMEC courses and receive up to 12 college credits while still in high school. From there, they can enter the workforce, continue toward a mechatronics associate of applied science degree at SCC, or do both.

This is the third NSF grant SCC has received for iMEC. The first grant funded iMEC’s development. The second supported iMEC 2.0, where SCC instructors assisted high school technical and STEM teachers in delivering mechatronics course content at five schools in southern Minnesota and Nebraska. The third and current grant expands the high school effort and will enhance curriculum to prepare students for future careers in the manufacturing industry, addressing topics and skillsets related to Industry 4.0, the Internet of Thing (IoT) and the semiconductor industry.

“Education is evolving due to the level of technology found in our schools and industry,” said Doug Laven, the SCC mechatronics instructor who developed iMEC and serves as the Lead Principal Investigator for this grant. “SCC’s iMEC model has proven to provide the necessary tools to engage students with hands-on training equipment complemented with SCC’s Mechatronics curriculum. The iMEC vision remains the same: to expand career possibilities by offering mechatronics to those who may not have the opportunity to engage in this level of study. I look forward to working with the grant’s Co-Principal Investigator and fellow SCC mechatronics instructor, Chris Blaisdell, to help lead this work and help students gain the confidence to succeed in today’s ever-changing workplace.”

iMEC 3.0 also integrates partnerships with businesses representing a variety of industries, including energy, biofuels, food processing, and manufacturing. “Our original mechatronics program was established in direct collaboration with members of industry who have been extremely supportive over the years,” said Laven. “This new grant will provide further opportunities for our dedicated business partners to get involved in the education of their future employees.” Opportunities include educator professional development activities with business mentors and participation in the programs Business and Industry Leadership Team (BILT).

iMEC 3.0 will help meet critical workforce needs in Minnesota, where data shows a higher concentration of mechatronics technician positions compared to national averages. According to recent state data, there were 495 active job postings for electrical/electronic engineering technicians and electro-mechanical/mechatronics technicians in an average month, with only 86 positions filled.

This work is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation Grant DUE# 2400652. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

About South Central College

South Central College (SCC) is a comprehensive community and technical college with campuses in Faribault and North Mankato. The college offers programs that prepare students to immediately start or advance in a rewarding career after graduation, transfer to a four-year institution to pursue a bachelor’s degree or both. SCC also provides customized workforce education for professionals and organizations. SCC is an Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Employer/Educator. For more information, visit www.southcentral.edu.