ICC proudly announces its receipt of a $233,905 Advanced Technological Education (ATE) grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), a milestone achievement for the institution as it delves into groundbreaking initiatives to advance STEM education.
The three-year grant has been earmarked to bolster ICC's ‘Success in Mathematics Through Project-Based Learning Experiences’ program. This visionary project, crafted in response to the imperative of fostering self-efficacy among primarily under-resourced community college students, aims to propel their enrollment in STEM courses and, ultimately, expand the pipeline of individuals interested in pursuing careers within the manufacturing industry.
This NSF-ATE grant represents a significant milestone for Independence Community College. "This is Independence Community College's first NSF-ATE grant," said ICC President Vincent Bowhay. "We are excited to receive such a competitive grant that highlights some of the innovative and forward-thinking ways we educate our students."
Targeting primarily low-income, developmental math students at a rural, public, two-year community college, ICC's project marks a strategic response to bridge the gap between industry needs and academic emphasis. Drawing on research demonstrating the efficacy of "hands-on" experiences, particularly among historically under-resourced students, the project will pioneer the development of mathematics curricula integrating real-world and industry-identified skills.
ICC’s Fab Lab will play a pivotal role in this endeavor. With invaluable input from regional industry leaders through the BILT, investigators will work with Fab Lab staff to design innovative mathematics lessons, tailored to enhance the self-efficacy of college developmental math students.
The ATE program, dedicated to advancing the education of technicians in high-tech fields crucial to the nation's economy, underscores the pivotal role of community and technical colleges. These institutions have been at the forefront of technician education in the United States since the inception of the ATE program in 1993. ICC's active involvement in this program reaffirms its commitment to shaping the future of STEM education and technician workforce development.
Through this groundbreaking initiative, Independence Community College is pleased to pioneer new approaches that not only engage but also support student populations, dismantling barriers that have historically impeded interest in STEM careers.
**This Program is funded by the National Science Foundation. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of Independence Community College and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.**