|
 An NSF
Award of $296,356.00 will be applied toward Heartland’s Flexible
Learning for Industrial Technology Education (FLITE) project.
“The FLITE project will demonstrate an innovative hybrid model for
industrial technology education that employs an open manufacturing
lab and flexible delivery of the curriculum,” said Provost and Vice
President of Academic Affairs Rick Pearce. “Flexible learning
formats within HCC’s Industrial Technology programs and courses will
make it easier for students to begin, efficiently progress through,
and complete our Industrial Technology programs and courses.”
Courses are designed to offer students the opportunity to learn
theory in different settings -- such as online or hybrid formats --
and then help them develop and practice the hands-on skills they’ll
need for the workforce. Once the project is completed, students will
be able to take courses offered through the FLITE lab each semester
rather than waiting for a course catalog to match their schedule.
Access to the open lab will be available daytime, nighttime and
weekend hours. This is designed to provide equity for students in
different situations and provide more opportunities for students to
get the hands-on lab time they need.
The opportunity to work on this project will also benefit others
outside of Heartland.
“One of the requirements of this grant is that we share our
successes with other schools so they, too, can benefit from our work
and replicate the model,” said Dana King, Dean of Career and
Technical Education. “The impact of our work could be far-reaching
and benefit the field of Industrial Technology.”
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The FLITE project is part of an overall Work Ready strategy at
Heartland to provide students the opportunity to quickly advance into the
workplace, but also use “stackable” credits to pursue the next level of their
career goals.
The grant, written by Distinguished Professor of Industrial
Technology Kim Travers and Distinguished Professor of Industrial Technology
Chris Miller, will fund the development of the FLITE program for future
Industrial Technology students. The first implementation of the program could
begin in the 2023 or 2024 academic year.
About the National Science Foundation
The U.S. National Science Foundation propels the nation forward by advancing
fundamental research in all fields of science and engineering. NSF supports
research and people by providing facilities, instruments and funding to support
their ingenuity and sustain the U.S. as a global leader in research and
innovation. With a fiscal year 2021 budget of $8.5 billion, NSF funds reach all
50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and
institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 40,000 competitive proposals and
makes about 11,000 new awards. Those awards include support for cooperative
research with industry, Arctic and Antarctic research and operations, and U.S.
participation in international scientific efforts.
[Steve Fast
Director, Public Information
Heartland Community College]
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