The goal of the project is to develop an industry-based learning environment to prepare students to become skilled energy storage engineers and technicians in both the stationary and transportation sectors. The project is a partnership involving a four-year engineering technology program, two community colleges, and industrial partners from major battery manufacturers, solar energy developers, automobile manufacturers and suppliers. The investigators are creating an advanced energy storage curriculum; setting up an industrial-based energy storage laboratory; developing and delivering a short course for on-site training of engineers, technologists, and community college instructors working in the alternative energy field; and developing and delivering a series of workshops and seminars for K-12 science teachers, corporate partners, and energy and automotive professionals. The evaluation effort, under the direction of an expert from another university, is using pre- and post-tests instruments to measure knowledge and skills, student satisfactory surveys, and instructor observational checklists to monitor progress and final outcomes. They are disseminating their material and ideas through website postings, conference presentations, and journal article submissions. The broader impacts include the dissemination of the material, the outreach to K-12, the training program for current workers in the field, and a trained workforce in an important emerging area.
Broader impacts: The broader impacts of this proposal extend beyond Southeast Michigan in the following important areas: (1) Student impact. This project will have a significant impact on future sustainable energy education programs for technicians, engineers, members of the energy and auto industry, and K-12 teachers across the country. Experience gained from this proposed project will prepare the collaborative team for the future project of establishing a Central Resource on advanced energy storage technology. (2) Industry impact. The course materials and laboratory specifications developed in this project will be posted online for dissemination. The short course will be made available for distance learning. This enables energy storage engineers and technicians across the country to receive the training courses on-site through the Internet. The success of this project will have significant impacts on both sustainable energy and the electric transportation industry. (3) Societal benefits. The proposed activity has direct benefits to society by increasing workforce preparedness for highly-trained engineers, engineering technologists, and service technicians to advance energy storage technologies for clean and sustainable energy development in stationary and transportation sectors. Successful implementation of the project will also help to develop, at a modest cost, a new way for academic institutions to prepare a skilled workforce that meets explicit industry needs. This will help to foster the competitiveness of the US industry and thus support overall economic development.
