NCNGM at the NSF ATE PI Conference
The National Science Foundation (NSF) funded National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing (NCNGM) attended the annual NSF Advanced Technological Education Principal Investigators Conference held in Washington, D.C., this past October. As a recognized Center of Excellence within the manufacturing sector, the NCNGM, alongside its partner institutions, actively participated in multiple sessions throughout the conference, showcasing its commitment to advancing educational practices and workforce development in manufacturing.
The NSF ATE PI Conference serves as a vital gathering point for current grantees, providing an invaluable platform for collaboration, networking, and resource sharing among educators, researchers, and industry leaders. A highlight of this year's conference was the inspiring Keynote Address delivered by Aisha Bowe, a former NASA Rocket Scientist, Blue Origin astronaut, and innovative entrepreneur. Aisha's journey began at Washtenaw Community College, where her father's influence motivated her to study mathematics and engineering. Her academic achievements led her to the University of Michigan, where she earned her bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, followed by a master's degree in space systems. Her career also included pivotal roles at NASA, and she made history in 2025 by becoming the first Black woman to represent Blue Origin on the NS-31 Mission to space.
The conference provided numerous opportunities for members of the NSF ATE Community to engage directly with NCNGM Principal Investigator Dr. Karen Wosczyna-Birch. One example was Workshop A: Getting Started for New Grantees, which was designed to help new NSF ATE grantees navigate their grant's reporting and financial obligations. Attendees had the opportunity to hear insightful presentations from representatives of Mentor-Connect, ATE Central, and EvaluATE, as well as NSF ATE Center Principal Investigators and NSF officials. This workshop offered critical guidance and highlighted resources available to grantees, ensuring they are well-equipped to maximize their funding and impact.
The NCNGM, in collaboration with partner institutions such as Central Community College and South Central College, played a pivotal role in the panel discussion titled "Scaling Mechatronics to Grow the Manufacturing Workforce." Daniel Davidchik, Associate Dean of Training and Development at Central Community College, led the panel and facilitated a discussion on the need for skilled automation and mechatronics technicians nationwide. The session emphasized the collaborative efforts between the NCNGM and these institutions to build and scale a successful Mechatronics workforce pipeline, addressing demand for highly trained manufacturing technicians.
In another panel discussion titled "The View from Here: ATE Alumni on Innovation, Entrepreneurship & the Future of Work," alumni from the Advanced Technological Education (ATE) community shared their experiences and insights. This Spotlight featured ATE alumni who have successfully navigated their careers in various industries, providing valuable perspectives on how their education prepared them for the workplace. They discussed the lessons they learned upon entering the field and the skills and attributes they now consider essential for achieving success. Dr. Karen Wosczyna-Birch moderated this engaging session, and the NCNGM thanks the American Association of Community Colleges for featuring this impactful panel in its Community College Daily article.
During the Student and Alumni Poster Session, NCNGM students and alumni presented their projects from the past year. Latosha Murray, a recent graduate of Connecticut State Community College Gateway, showcased her innovative project involving the design and development of a mobile co-bot pedestal system specifically for the Revopoint Vbot 3D scanning platform. This cutting-edge system is intended for various purposes, including demonstrations, training, and real-world applications. The project entails integrating a commercially available 80/20 pedestal structure with a custom-designed mounting interface, ensuring the scanner is securely supported while maintaining stability, mobility, and user-friendliness.
Additionally, student Gregoire Gerard and Professor Mathew Zamaria from Connecticut State Community College Asnuntuck introduced the AI in Automation Summer 2026 project. This initiative brought together students from both Connecticut State Community College and Central Connecticut State University to collaborate as a cohesive team, sponsored by the NCNGM. Their primary objective was to develop a human-supervised, simulation-validated engineering workflow to improve the integration of artificial intelligence into automation processes and prepare students and industry for future technological advancements in the manufacturing sector.
The "Career Connections: Speed Networking" session gave students a unique opportunity to hone their networking skills and connect with industry professionals across the STEM community. During this interactive session, students practiced introducing themselves, asking insightful questions, and building professional connections while learning about career paths, workplace experiences, and the essential skills that contribute to career success. This interactive format not only built participants' confidence but also opened doors to future career opportunities.
During the ATE Connects Countdown session, Dr. Karen Wosczyna-Birch provided a quick overview of how artificial intelligence is being utilized in advanced manufacturing processes. Drawing on her extensive work with industry partners and higher education institutions, Dr. Wosczyna-Birch delivered a rapid-fire presentation that highlighted the transformative potential of AI in manufacturing. ATE Connects is a vital networking opportunity for ATE projects and centers, allowing participants to connect with one another, explore the broader ATE community, and share resources that can enhance their initiatives.
The spotlight session titled "Making Connections Count: Partnering for Greater Impact" was presented at the 2026 NSF ATE PI Conference. This session highlighted NCNGM’s commitment to collaboration with NSF ATE partners, including the National Applied Artificial Intelligence Consortium (NAAIC) and the Advanced Manufacturing Technical Education Collaborative (AMTEC). The three Communities of Practice explored AI applications in manufacturing and career and technical education, emphasizing the importance of partnerships in driving innovation and enhancing the impact of educational initiatives in advanced manufacturing.
The metrics for the successful Community of Practice during 2026 are as follows:
May 14, 2026: 182 registered, 123 attended
July 10th, 2026: 188 registered, 112 attended
October 9th, 2026: 151 registered, 91 attended
Session recordings are available on the NCNGM website.
One of the final highlights of the conference is the Student and Alumni Recognition Breakfast. It offers NSF ATE community institutions the opportunity to recognize their students and alumni for their hard work in technician education and their contributions to STEM fields. Three Connecticut State Community College students and alumni of the NCNGM program were honored.
The National Science Foundation and the American Association of Community Colleges presented the certificates of recognition to all students nominated by the NSF ATE institutions. We sincerely thank Ellen Hause, Associate Vice President for Partnerships, Ventures and Innovation, AACC; Dr. Corby Hovis, Section Head, Workforce and Talent Development, NSF; and Kathleen Nelson, Workforce and Economic Development, AACC, for honoring our students and alumni.
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