MET2 Program Accepting Applications - Deadline Dec. 9th

What is the MET² Program?

The Mechanical and Manufacturing Technologies for Energy and Sustainability (MET²) Program prepares community college and university mechanical and manufacturing engineering and technology students to enter the workforce by integrating relevant technical skills with necessary professional, social & entrepreneurial skills. These are the skills that are required to meet today’s workforce demands.

The advantage of the MET² Program is that it prepares students to not only learn critical thinking but also relevant technical skills including:

  • Mold/Pattern Making

  • Composite and Smart Fabrics

  • Arduino

  • Electronic Circuitry

  • CAD – SolidWorks

  • Blue Print Reading

  • Manufacturing Processes

The MET² Program also prepares students to enter the workforce with necessary professional and entrepreneurial skills including:

  • Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

  • Leadership

  • Teamwork

  • Behavioral Diversity skills (DISC)

  • Networking

  • Time Management

MET² Program provides genuine, real-world challenges or problems to fuel projects explored by self-managed Program Teams of students. Program Teams are inter-institutional as well as interdisciplinary in order to capitalize on the synergy between the theoretical knowledge of university students and faculty, complemented by the requisite hands-on technical skills of community college students and faculty. Program Teams will meet and conduct research culminating in a professional level final report and presentation.

We are seeking students from both community colleges and universities to participate in this hands-on engineering and technology program, to work together on real-world projects addressing genuine challenges or problems from our industry partners.

Students will receive a stipend for participation in the program (Winter Intersession plus a minimum of 65 hours spent on their project during the spring semester) up to $1,750 ($750 for participation in the Winter Intersession and up to $1,000 for hours worked -maximum 100 hours on projects during the spring semester – participating in both parts is mandatory).

This program is funded by the National Science Foundation.

For more information and application forms:

John Birch, MET² Program Executive Director and President The Birch Group, LLC

email: thebirchgroup@snet.net phone: 860-677-0020

Website: www.met2program.org

Application Form

Application Deadline: December 9, 2022

Dr. Karen Wosczyna-Birch to Serve as Panelist for Manufacturing in Connecticut Discussion Presented by the Tunxis Foundation

Economic Breakfast & Networking Event
October 26, 2022 at 7:30 a.m.
DoubleTree by Hilton
42 Century Drive, Bristol, CT

Join us for a panel discussion with industry leaders featuring insights on:


Manufacturing in Connecticut
Hosted by Paul Lavoie, Chief Manufacturing Officer, State of Connecticut

An event to benefit student scholarships and programs at Tunxis Community College

Reserve Your Seat Today!

-or-

Learn More and Become a Sponsor! (PDF)

Paul Lavoie will lead a panel discussion addressing workforce development, recruiting new companies to Connecticut, and the acceleration of the adoption of new i4.0 technologies.

Panelists

Kelli-Marie Vallieres, PhD
Chief Workforce Officer,
Office of Workforce Strategy
Vice Chair, Governor’s Workforce Council

Ted Fisher
Director, Business Development,
Advanced Manufacturing
AdvanceCT

Jacquelynn Garofano, PhD
Chief Technology Officer,
Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc

Karen Wosczyna-Birch, PhD
Executive Director, College of Technology
Executive Director and Principal Investigator,
National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing

Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, CT Community Colleges and Xometry Announce Full Tuition Scholarships for Manufacturing Students

On October 4, 2022, representatives from Xometry, Connecticut Community Colleges, the State of Connecticut, and the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology announced scholarships available for manufacturing students. During the announcment, attendees heard remarks from:

  • Dr. James Lombella, Executive Vice President, Workforce & Economic Development , Connecticut State Community College

  • Dr. G. Duncan Harris, CEO, Capital Community College 

  • Dr. Thomas Coley, EVP of Strategic Partnerships and Enterprise Performance, CT State Community College

  • Paul Lavoie, Chief Manufacturing Officer, State of Connecticut

  • Dr. Karen Wosczyna-Birch, Executive Director, College of Technology and Executive Director and Principal Investigator, National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing

  • Laurence Zuriff, co-Founder of Xometry, Inc. and Managing Director of Xometry’s Donor Advised Fund and ESG initiatives

  • Dr. Jackie Garofano, CTO, Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology

Photos and a video of the announcement can be found below.

Xometry, Inc. Press Release:

  • Part of Xometry’s pledge to provide scholarships to 250 manufacturing students across the US

  • At a time when 88% of Connecticut manufacturing executives struggle to find qualified workers, Xometry announces scholarships for students across the state training to become the next generation of skilled machinists, technicians and engineers

HARTFORD, Conn., Oct. 04, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT), Connecticut community colleges and Xometry, a publicly traded technology company (NASDAQ: XMTR) that helps companies create locally resilient supply chains, today announced 19 full-tuition scholarships for manufacturing students at nine community college across the state, including:

  • Asnuntuck Community College (Enfield)

  • Capital Community College (Hartford)

  • Housatonic Community College (Bridgeport)

  • Manchester Community College

  • Middlesex Community College (Middletown & Meriden)

  • Naugatuck Valley Community College (Waterbury & Danbury)

  • Northwestern Connecticut Community College (Winsted)

  • Quinebaug Valley Community College (Danielson & Willimantic)

  • Tunxis Community College (Farmington)

As part of its broader commitment to supporting small- and medium manufacturers, Xometry is dedicating a portion of its equity to fund scholarships that are designed to train the next generation of skilled manufacturers.

“We appreciate this partnership with Xometry and their support of Connecticut community college manufacturing students,” said Dr. Thomas Coley, CT State Community College’s Executive Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Enterprise Performance. “This generous donation will provide real opportunities for our students as they train to pursue rewarding career paths in manufacturing that strengthen our workforce and economy.”

“Xometry exists to champion manufacturers and prepare them for success with enterprise buyers and entrepreneurs across the United States,” said Laurence Zuriff, co-Founder of Xometry, Inc. and Managing Director of Xometry’s Donor Advised Fund and ESG initiatives. “Connecticut is an important state for manufacturing and we know that when manufacturing succeeds, Connecticut and our nation succeeds.”

“The State of Connecticut is grateful for the generous scholarship from Xometry and know it will help our Community Colleges develop a NextGen Workforce, providing a path to prosperity in high-paying manufacturing jobs,” said Paul Paul Lavoie, Chief Manufacturing Officer, State of Connecticut.

This year, Xometry is providing scholarships for 250 students at community colleges in Connecticut and five other key manufacturing states: MarylandKentuckyWisconsinSouth Carolina and New York. Last year, Xometry in partnership with Howard University, pledged eight full tuition scholarships over four school years to students enrolled in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Howard University College of Engineering and Architecture.

About the CT Community Colleges and CT State
The 12 Connecticut community colleges are becoming CT State Community College on July 1, 2023, one of the largest community colleges in the country and largest in New England dedicated to quality, access and affordability. The community colleges are accepting applications for spring 2023, and the CT State Community College admissions application is now open for fall 2023 enrollment. To apply for the Fall 2023 semester, go to www.ctstate.edu/apply. For winter, spring and summer, visit to www.ct.edu/admission. Locations include Asnuntuck (Enfield), Capital (Hartford), Gateway (New Haven & North Haven), Housatonic (Bridgeport), Manchester, Middlesex (Middletown & Meriden), Naugatuck Valley (Waterbury & Danbury), Northwestern (Winsted), Norwalk, Quinebaug Valley (Danielson & Willimantic), Three Rivers (Norwich), and Tunxis (Farmington).

About Xometry
Xometry (NASDAQ: XMTR) powers the industries of today and tomorrow by connecting the people with big ideas to the manufacturers who can bring them to life. Xometry’s digital marketplace gives manufacturers the critical resources they need to grow their business while also making it easy for buyers at Fortune 1000 companies to tap into global manufacturing capacity and create locally resilient supply chains. Learn more at www.xometry.com or follow @xometry.

Contacts:

Illume PR for Xometry, Inc.
Debra Benson
Xometry@IllumePR.com

CT State Community College
Melissa Lamar
mlamar@tunxis.edu

Video of full of Xometry scholarship announcement.


Now Accepting Summer Teacher Workshop Applications

This summer, the Connecticut College of Technology’s National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing, a National Science Foundation Center of Excellence, will present the 2022 Summer Teachers’ Workshop. This program will be held through an online platform.

The exciting four-day workshop provides the opportunity for you to connect with your peers from across the United States in an online workshop. This program is very highly rated by teachers and faculty who have participated in the previous in-person and virtual versions of the program. The workshop will help you learn how to instruct your students in developing essential teambuilding skills as well as providing technology related experiences to help you integrate your learning into your STEM classroom and lab environment. The teambuilding, professional, and technical skills presented in the Program are designed to be directly applicable to your classroom. 

Workshop Dates & Times 

·      Thursday, July 14th - 9:00am – 5:00pm EST

·      Friday, July 15th - 9:00am – 5:00pm EST

·      Monday, July 18th - 9:00am – 5:00pm EST

·      Tuesday, July 19th - 9:00am – 5:00pm EST

Location

·      Online

Additional Workshop Details

·      Earn Professional Skills and Technical Skills Microcredentials.

·      Manuals, workbooks, Behavioral and Emotional Intelligence assessments, and related technical materials will be provided.**

·      A one-year online educational license for SolidWorks CAD Software will also be provided.

·      Participants will receive a Robo-Link CoDrone kit.

·      Participants will be eligible to receive up to $750 in stipends ($500 for participation in workshop and completion of evaluation materials; $250 upon submission of curriculum for use in classroom)

 

Click here for further details and the application!

Application Deadline: June 17, 2022

2022 Epsilon pi tau gamma phi chapter induction

Group of student inductees for Epsilon Pi Tau Gamma Phi Chapter

2022 Gamma Phi Chapter Inductees

On April 29th, the Gamma Phi Chapter (Connecticut Community Colleges) of the Epsilon Pi Tau (EPT) International Honor Society for Technology held its annual induction ceremony at Manchester Community College in Manchester CT.. Over 80 students were inducted as members of the EPT Board of Directors, faculty, administrators, and friends and family joined in the ceremony.

The ceremony also recognized Honorary and Faculty Inductees for their dedication to ensuring students have the resources and pathways to STEM careers. These inductees included:

  • Ron Angelo – President and Chief Executive Officer Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc.

  • Mark Burzynski - Technical Talent Development Advisor, Arthur G. Russell Co., Inc.

  • Ted Gawlicki, Founder, Gawlicki Family Foundation

  • Kellie Payne, Advisor, Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center, Asnuntuck Community College

  • Dr. Andre Freeman, Professor of Mathematics & Program Coordinator, Capital Community College

Gamma Phi Trustee and EPT Board of Directors Member, Dr. Karen Wosczyna-Birch, also presented Eric Flynn, Department Chair of Engineering & Applied Technologies at Gateway Community College, as the Region One Recipient of the 2022 Professional Practice Award in EPT’s William Everett Warner Awards Program.




Registration Open for HI TEC: A National Conference on Advanced Technological Education

HI-TEC: A National Conference on Advanced Technological Education

Don't miss the 2022 HI-TEC conference on July 25–28 at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah!

The National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing is proud to be an Executive Level supporter of HI TEC!

Supported by the National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Education (NSF ATE) program, HI-TEC is a national conference on advanced technological education where secondary and postsecondary educators, counselors, industry professionals, trade organizations, and technicians can update their knowledge and skills. Charged with preparing America’s skilled technical workforce, the event focuses on the preparation needed by the existing and future workforce for companies in the high-tech sectors that drive our nation’s economy.

HI-TEC explores the convergence of scientific disciplines and technologies including:

  • Advanced Manufacturing Technologies

  • Bio and Agricultural Technologies

  • Energy and Environmental Technologies

  • Engineering Technologies

  • Information, Communications, and Geospatial Technologies

  • Learning, Evaluation, and Research

  • Micro and Nanotechnologies

  • Security Technologies

  • Workforce Diversity and Inclusion

  • Emerging Technologies

Who Should Attend HI-TEC?

  • Community College and University Educators

  • High School Educators

  • Workforce Development Advocates

  • Trade Organizations

  • Industry Professionals

  • Technicians

Conference Details and Registration: https://www.highimpact-tec.org/

NCNGM Webinar Series for Educators

We are excited to announce the 2022 National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing Webinar Series for Educators! The series will discuss careers and trends in several manufacturing technologies.

Register for:

Industry 4.0 Webinar - Date to be announced!

Past Webinars in this series:

Supply Chain Webinar

Mechatronics Webinar

Welding Webinar

Lasers Webinar




AARP CT SCHOLARSHIP - SUPPORTING AGE 50+ STUDENTS IN MANUFACTURING

AARP CT has made a donation to The American Manufacturing Hall of Fame to support older students enrolled in a CT Community College manufacturing program.  Scholarships will be awarded through the CT College of Technology and are for up to $1250 per student, while funds last. Eligibility for the scholarship is as followed:

  •  The student is age 50+ and enrolled/enrolling in any CT Community College system manufacturing program.

  • The student is willing to share their story with AARP for potential publication across AARP communication channels, as well as be willing to sign related releases.

  • The student is willing to share demographic information with AARP.

To apply for the scholarship or if you have questions:

Contact Wendy Robicheau, Project Manager, College of Technology & National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing

Email (preferred): wrobicheau@commnet.edu or Phone: 860-732-0075

MET2 Program Accepting Applications - Deadline Dec. 10th

What is the MET² Program?

The Mechanical and Manufacturing Technologies for Energy and Sustainability (MET²) Program prepares community college and university mechanical and manufacturing engineering and technology students to enter the workforce by integrating relevant technical skills with necessary professional, social & entrepreneurial skills. These are the skills that are required to meet today’s workforce demands.

The advantage of the MET² Program is that it prepares students to not only learn critical thinking but also relevant technical skills including:

  • Mold/Pattern Making

  • Composite and Smart Fabrics

  • Arduino

  • Electronic Circuitry

  • CAD – SolidWorks

  • Blue Print Reading

  • Manufacturing Processes

The MET² Program also prepares students to enter the workforce with necessary professional and entrepreneurial skills including:

  • Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

  • Leadership

  • Teamwork

  • Behavioral Diversity skills (DISC)

  • Networking

  • Time Management

MET² Program provides genuine, real-world challenges or problems to fuel projects explored by self-managed Program Teams of students. Program Teams are inter-institutional as well as interdisciplinary in order to capitalize on the synergy between the theoretical knowledge of university students and faculty, complemented by the requisite hands-on technical skills of community college students and faculty. Program Teams will meet and conduct research culminating in a professional level final report and presentation.

We are seeking students from both community colleges and universities to participate in this hands-on engineering and technology program, to work together on real-world projects addressing genuine challenges or problems from our industry partners.

Students will receive a stipend for participation in the program (Winter Intersession plus a minimum of 65 hours spent on their project during the spring semester) up to $1,500 ($500 for participation in the Winter Intersession and up to $1,000 for hours worked -maximum 100 hours- on projects during the Winter Intersession – participating in both parts is mandatory).

This program is funded by the National Science Foundation.

For more information and application forms:

John Birch, MET² Program Executive Director and President The Birch Group, LLC

email: thebirchgroup@snet.net phone: 860-677-0020

Website: www.met2program.org

Application Form

Application Deadline: December 10, 2021