NSF InnovATE Grant

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number 1501447.

The "InnovATE" project is increasing graduates in STEM disciplines, particularly underrepresented minorities and women, in response to demand for local, highly-skilled workforce needs in the manufacturing, aerospace, engineering and power industries.  The project’s synergistic programs are increasing awareness of STEM in middle through high schools, strengthening math skills and developing a pathway for pursuit of associate and baccalaureate high-tech degrees.

These programs include: a STEM outreach program impacting 1,680 middle and high school students; a summer program for incoming students to complete the Certified Production Technician program (MSSC-CPT) resulting in the earning of 15 college credit-hours towards the Engineering Technology AS degree; a contextualized Intermediate Algebra gateway course to improve math proficiency; intensive academic support through math/science supplemental instruction; and articulation agreements from associate in science to baccalaureate degrees.

Intellectual merit drivers of InnovATE are aligned with rigorous assessments to advance understanding of which tools and strategies aid successful completion of associate degrees in Electrical Power Technology and Engineering Technology programs. This includes developing assessment tools and activities for identifying key factors influencing enrollment in STEM programs, establishing instructional supports needed in mathematics, studying the influence that mentors and industry partners have on students to induce willingness to succeed and evaluating learning strategies to advance discovery of how STEM technicians learn, study and train.

InnovATE will address the need to diversify the STEM workforce by targeting Title I schools as the primary pipeline for students from underrepresented groups enrolling in the college to advance desired economic and societal outcomes. In addition, InnovATE's broader impacts will provide a transferable model to increase the number of women and underrepresented minority students pursuing degrees to join a highly-qualified STEM workforce.

Equipment & Learning Labs

Electrical Power Technology

Engineering Technology

 

Contact Us

Principle Investigator
Dr. Becky Mercer
mercerb@palmbeachstate.edu
(561) 207-5059

Co-PI
Oleg Andric
andrico@palmbeachstate.edu
(561) 207-5414

Co- PI
Ira Rosenthal
rosenthi@palmbeachstate.edu
(561) 207-5058

 

OPS
Bruce Wear
wearb@palmbeachstate.edu
(561) 207-5318

 

Lab Specialist
Paul Slater
Slaterp@palmbeachstate.edu
(561) 207-5318

 

*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.