Alternative-Energy Automotive
Building an Academic Pathway for Alternative-Energy Automotive Technicians
Columbus State Community College will work in collaboration with Clean Fuels Ohio, the Center for Automotive Research at The Ohio State University, local high school districts and technical centers, several industry partners, Owensboro Community & Technical College, Macomb Community College’s Center for Advanced Automotive Technology (CAAT) and the Center for Aviation and Automotive Technical Education using Virtual E-School (CA2VES) at Clemson University to develop a new career pathway in Alternative Energy Automotive Technology.
The curriculum will optimize emerging techniques and technologies including project-based learning, integrated learning objects, simulations, and a STEM-intensive curriculum that incorporates education in technology, engineering, automotive and mathematics to prepare a technical workforce appropriately educated to support the increasing market for Alternative Energy Automotive Technicians.
The overall goal of the project is to develop a college and career readiness pathway for Alternative-Energy Automotive Technicians at Columbus State Community College to meet the increased industry demand in the Central Ohio region and contribute to the diversity of the region’s workforce.
Project Objectives:
- Increase the supply of skilled technicians by creating a pathway from high school to two-year, and potentially four year degree programs and/or an employable exit points.
- Expand the pool of qualified students entering automotive program from various and non-traditional backgrounds by involving targeted high school students early in STEM.
- Increase the number of students enrolled in Automotive Technology program at Columbus State.
- Disseminate the model regionally for replication at other institutions.
- Expand existing Cooperative Work Experience with additional focus on alternative energy diagnosis and repair.
- Provide professional development for teachers/faculty and engage additional high school faculty in alternative energy automotive technology education.
Project Deliverables:
- Four modified courses enhanced with additional focus on alternative energy leading to AAS Degree in Automotive Technology and Master Automotive Service Technician Certificate (MAST).
- Two new courses for Hybrid and Alternative Fuels (CNG, H2, etc.) developed and leading to a new Alternative Energy Automotive Technology Certificate.
- Summer workshop for first responders to understand safety concerns with hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles.
- Fall workshop for high school faculty on emerging trends in Alternative Energy Automotive Technology education.
What is ATE?
The Alternative Energy Automotive Technician project is being funded by a National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Grant (DUE 1600689). With an emphasis on two-year colleges, Advanced Technological Education program focuses on the education of technicians for the high-technology fields that drive our nation's economy. The program involves partnerships between academic institutions and industry to promote improvement in the education of science and engineering technicians at the undergraduate and secondary school levels. The ATE program supports curriculum development; professional development of college faculty and secondary school teachers; career pathways to two-year colleges from secondary schools and from two-year colleges to four-year institutions; and other activities.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1600689.