This ATE Project is establishing a renewable energy educational consortium of a university, community colleges, high schools, and energy-related industries to meet energy, transportation, and electronics workforce needs in Texas and Arizona with an emphasis on photovoltaic and fuel cell technologies. The project is developing curriculum for both associate and baccalaureate degree programs resulting in a fully articulated 2+2+2 renewable energy and energy systems baccalaureate degree. It is offering capstone courses for 2-year college students and laboratory courses for four-year college students at the university's cutting-edge alternative energy and photovoltaic laboratory.
The project is advancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education by 1) establishing a model whereby collaboration among secondary schools, community colleges, and the university leads underrepresented minorities to pursue career paths in emerging technology fields; 2) showcasing an industry-relevant education and training solution that allows the colleges to safely and affordably prepare the high technology alternative energy workforce in an authentic industry atmosphere; 3) promoting public awareness for renewable energy at the state level; 4) providing a wide range of teacher development workshops and educational materials; and 5) broadly disseminating results through public presentations, websites, and media releases.
