HI-TEC 2012 WORKSHOPS and TOURS

Monday, July 23, 8:30 A.M.–Noon

Automating MS Office to Document Continuous Improvement Through Evaluation-Based Assessment

Attendees will learn how to make evaluation-based assessment a rewarding, value-added activity by automating MS Office and setting up an action log to document continuous improvement based on what went well, what should be improved, and lessons learned. Attendees will learn how to set up evaluation criteria. Much of this session will be devoted to teaching attendees how to write the code and make the above possible based on their own standards. Attendees need to bring their own laptops.

Mark Palmer, Kettering University, Flint, MI

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Bridging the Gap Between Educators and Employers: The What, Why, and How of Developing
a Skill Standards-Based Curriculum

Employers need workers who possess the knowledge and skills required by their industries. This workshop will provide attendees information on and practice in developing skill standards for high-tech industries and using the standards to generate curricula that meet employer requirements. College administrators/faculty will learn about processes for forming employer groups, leading these groups in defining the skills and knowledge needed in their industries and using the skills and knowledge as a base for developing curriculum. This workshop will emphasize hands-on activities that allow participants to apply the processes and determine how they can be integrated into current campus curriculum activities. Technicians will learn how to use skill standards to assess their work readiness and select educational paths for enhancing these skills.

John Souders, OP-TEC, Waco, TX

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Extending Virtualization to the Classroom for Instruction and Skills-Based Competition

This hands-on workshop will demonstrate applications of virtualization in the classroom and will include an overview of popular virtualization systems available today. We will also demonstrate the CSSIA Virtualization Center and how it is being used to deliver both classroom instruction and preparation for student skills-based competitions. Each participant will be given credentials to use to experience our virtual environment. Attendees need to bring their own laptops.

John Sands, Eric Spengler, Center for System Security and Information Assurance (CSSIA), Palos Hills, IL

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Technological Entrepreneurship Across the STEM Spectrum

This interactive, "hands-on" workshop will showcase the work of Kingsborough Community College's Institute for Virtual Enterprise Program, an innovative pedagogy that employs active and collaborative learning to infuse principles of intra- and entrepreneurship into STEM curricula. Following an overview of the STEM Virtual Enterprise, participants will assume the roles of students and work in teams to go through the process of forming and operating a STEM-related business. We will conclude with a discussion of STEM Virtual Enterprise curriculum adoption strategies and how a National Center for STEM Entrepreneurship could help during the adoption and dissemination process.

Christoph Winkler, Edgar Troudt, CUNY Institute for Virtual Enterprise, Brooklyn, NY
Stuart Schulman, CUNY Baruch College, New York, NY

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The Art of Critical Thinking: Helping Your Students Prepare for Today's Workplace

Today's employees must be able to "think on their feet." Critical thinking and problem solving have become valued commodities in the workplace. Working with six simple, low-cost hands-on activities developed to teach nanoscale concepts, the presenters will show participants how to adapt the activities to any technical program (e.g., biotech, geotech, environment, IT) to help students learn problem solving and critical thinking skills.

Deb Newberry, Kristi Jean, Billie Copley, Nano-Link Regional Center, Rosemount, MT

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Monday, July 23, 1:00–4:30 P.M.

Bioscience Careers at the Interface

Careers in bioscience require training in a broad range of areas such as biomaterials, food safety, electronics, nanotechnology, manufacturing, IT, quality control, forensics, and agriculture. We seek input from groups with expertise in these areas to address our shared challenges; coordinate multiple education programs; and raise student awareness of the richness, diversity, and multidisciplinary nature of bioscience careers. Participants will expand their knowledge base and network with others in a community of practice engaged in creating a shared resource for career exploration. Attendees need to bring their own laptops.

Elaine Johnson, Bio-Link, San Francisco, CA
Linnea Fletcher, Austin Community College, Austin, TX
Phillip Gibson, Gwinnett Technical College, Lawrenceville, GA
Jeanette Mowery, Madison Area Technical College, Madison, WA
Sandra Porter, Digital World Biology, Seattle, WA

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The Cloud and Mobile Computing

Participants will complete several labs relating mobile computing and the cloud. Each lab will have online components as well as a detailed lab guide that will enable participants to use the lab in their classrooms. Topics will include virtualization, the latest in mobile applications, storage management, and other emerging technologies. Attendees need to bring their own laptops.

Ann Beheler, Convergence Technology Center (CTC), Frisco, TX
Ernie Friend, Florida State College, Jacksonville, FL
Bill Saichek, Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, CA

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Enhancing Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship in Technician Education

Educational processes can play an important role in encouraging creativity. The European Union (EU) has developed a unified, proactive strategy for fostering creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship in its "vocational education and training" environment. This workshop will help attendees appreciate and implement some of the EU best practices.

Jose Fernandez , Tknika, San Sabastian, Spain
Marilyn Barger, FLATE, Tampa, FL
Richard Gilbert, University of South Florida, Tampa, TX

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Teaching Basic Digital Logic With Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA)

This hands-on workshop will introduce field programmable gate arrays (FPGA). The first hour will cover the basics of FPGAs and the methodology of design flow. We will introduce the concept of hardware descriptive language (HDL), especially VHDL, the most commonly used. Attendees can use their own laptops. Attendees should understand basic digital logic (AND gate, OR gate, etc.).

Craig Kief, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Bassam Matar, Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Phoenix, AZ
Karl Henry, J. F. Drake State Technical, Huntsville, AL

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Tuesday, July 24, 8:30 A.M.–Noon

Developing 21st-Century Skills Through IT Problem Solving

IT Problem Solving is an introductory course that has been implemented at the high school, community college, and university levels in the Boston area. The course makes use of industry-relevant problems to engage students and help them develop 21st-century skills and computational thinking attributes. This session will introduce the methodologies that form the foundation of the course and model processes for industry engagement aimed at increasing and verifying the development of student skills for the workplace. Attendees will participate in problem scenarios and identify opportunities to integrate them into their institutions.Attendees need to bring their own laptops.

Deborah Boisvert, BATEC Center for Computing Technologies, Boston, MA
Paula Velluto, Jaime L'Heureux, Bunker Hill Community College, Boston, MA

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Do Engineering! Engage Students Through Exciting, Hands-On Labs With LabVIEW, NI ELVIS, and Multisim

This hands-on workshop will explore the blended approach of using the National Instruments™ LabVIEW graphical programming language with computer-based USB devices such as NI ELVIS to explore modern engineering concepts through innovative experimentation. Participants will learn how LabVIEW can be used to deliver a project-based approach to teaching engineering and science and how the NI ELVIS suite of 12 integrated instruments (oscilloscope, function generator, digital multimeter, power supply, analyzers, and more) can provide a unique hands-on learning experience. Attendees will gain high-level understanding of modern industry-standard technologies and how to apply them in their curriculum.

Carl Nybro, Shas Nautiyal, National Instruments, Austin, TX

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Lights, Camera, Action! Leveraging Online Video to Bring Your Information to the World

Online video is changing the way people learn and process information. This workshop will look at the current state of online video, offer practical advice from a panel of experts on how to incorporate online video into your day-to-day operations, and provide hands-on instruction in basic video production using tools that are easily at your disposal. The session will include production of a brief video. Attendees need to bring their own laptops.

David Sweeney, ICT Center, Agawam, MA
Gordon Snyder, John Reynolds, ICT Center, Springfield, MA
Michael Qaissaunee, Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, NJ

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Shaping High-Quality Integrated Education in Nebraska

This workshop will discuss and demonstrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) lesson ideas and an engaging lesson design format that maps business applications of STEM concepts to curriculum "touch points." The presentation will address the importance of contextual learning from the perspective of students, educators, and businesses. Attendees will learn the role that educational robotics and industry play in lesson development, have an opportunity to practice problem-based learning lessons, and learn how to adapt existing lessons to the classroom. Participants will receive a CD library of over 325 modular lessons.

Daniel Davidchik, Doug Pauley, Central Community College, Columbus, NE
Bob Goeman, Paul Clark, University of Nebraska, Omaha, NE
Brian Sandall, Westside Community Schools, Omaha, NE
Chad Johnson , Nebraska Public Power District, York, NE

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What's in Your Genes? Let's Find Out. Building and Interpreting a DNA Microarray

In this hands-on workshop, participants will use the SCME GeneChip Model Kit to simulate the photolithography fabrication process used to build a DNA microarray. Attendees will also interpret the results of a DNA test to determine the reliability of the microarray. This kit is available for classroom instruction at no charge.

Carrie Leopold, North Dakota State College of Science, Wahpeton, ND
Mary Jane Willis, Southwest Center for Microsystems Education (SCME), Albuquerque, NM

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Tuesday, July 24, 11:45-5:00 P.M. (Buses load at 11:30AM)

TOUR: Denver Museum of Nature and Science

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is the Rocky Mountain region's leading resource for informal science education. A variety of exhibitions, programs, and activities help Museum visitors experience the natural wonders of Colorado, Earth, and the universe. Tour participants will be able to view the exhibits which include gems & minerals, space odyssey, prehistoric journey, and wildlife exhibits, among others. A planetarium showing and an IMAX movie will both be included in this tour.  Lunch at the museum is included.

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TOUR: National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL)

NREL is the only federal laboratory dedicated to the research, development, commercialization and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. Learn about NREL's scientific and technological efforts, performed by scientists, engineers, and analysts across our facilities, to bring renewable energy technologies from the lab to the marketplace. NREL's distinctive R&D competencies are positioned to advance national energy goals by developing innovations to change the way we power our homes and businesses, and fuel our vehicles. Competencies include renewable electricity conversion and delivery systems, renewable fuels formulation and delivery, efficient and integrated energy systems, and strategic energy analysis.  This will be a behind the scenes tour, with visits to experimental laboratories as well as the public areas.

A list of attendees and citizenship status is required for this tour. HI-TEC will contact you for specific information.

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