ATE is Advanced Technological Education. With an emphasis on two-year colleges, the National Science Foundation's ATE program focuses on the education of technicians for the high-technology fields that drive our nation's economy.

Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference

Conference

March 18 Washington, DC

ABLC is a connected series of 7 conferences and events in total on the most important issues in the Circular Bioeconomy right now. These conferences-within-a-conference are: The Advanced Biofuels Summit, The Renewable Chemicals & Biomaterials Summit, The Green Hydrogen Summit, The Advanced Agriculture Summit , The Sustainable Aviation Summit, and The Biogas & RNG Summit and the Circular Bioeconomy Policy Forum In addition to the 7 conferences, there will be 7 special events, forums and workshops: The Investor & Finance Workshop on capital trends; The Industry Horizons Forum; The ABLC Due Diligence Wolfpack; The Bio-LPG Challenge, The annual State of the Industry address ABLC Network Like Crazy sessions throughout the event for introductions and meet-ups; and, the ABLC Keynotes


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Accelerating Innovation: Project Impacts from Manufacturing USA

Webinar

March 19

Join the NIST Office of Advanced Manufacturing for a new webinar series! Accelerating Innovation: Project Impacts from Manufacturing USA will highlight the technical project impacts of the Manufacturing USA institutes and their project partners. Discover exciting technological advancements, improved manufacturing processes, and learn about related collaboration opportunities. This series aims to highlight the successes and achievements of projects sponsored by the NIST Office of Advanced Manufacturing. We hope you’ll join to learn more about these exciting innovations. Join BioMADE and America Makes on March 19, 2026, to hear about project impacts relating to biopharmaceuticals and filtration.


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Developing and Refining Evaluation Questions

Meeting

March 19 Online

Evaluation questions are the foundation for learning, decision-making, and accountability. In this community conversation, participants are invited to bring evaluation questions from their own work to share and discuss together, including what’s working, what’s challenging, and what they are hoping to clarify or improve.


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NCyTE Monthly Meeting: Teaching AI Effectively: Free Resources from National Applied AI Consortium

Meeting

March 20 Online

The National Applied AI Consortium (NAAIC) is reshaping AI workforce development by supporting community colleges in developing AI courses and programs. Through partnerships with leading technology companies and higher-education institutions, NAAIC equips faculty with the resources, professional development, and industry connections needed to teach AI effectively. Their work, sponsored by the National Science Foundation, helps colleges build relevant, accessible AI programs that prepare students for high-demand jobs.

Join to learn how NAAIC’s curriculum resources, training, and mentorship support can help you strengthen or launch AI offerings at your institution.


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Generative AI and Microsoft Copilot Training for Community College Faculty and Staff: 101

Webinar

March 20

This session is designed for community college faculty and staff exploring the fundamentals of Generative AI and Microsoft Copilot. Topics include Generative AI and responsible AI use, effective prompting techniques, and real-world applications in education. This session will provide practical insights and hands-on guidance to help integrate AI tools into your work.


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Bio Career Prep Series: Biotechnology Careers

Student Event

March 20 Online

Join Fridays from 11 AM to 1 PM PT (1-3 PM CT/2-4 PM ET) for the 2026 free interactive Bioscience Career Preparation Series. Learn how about your power in the interview process, the important skills needed for workplace success that may not be taught in classrooms, and then get a chance to speed network with bioscience industry professionals!

Series: Fridays, February 13th - April 24th

Topic: Biotechnology Careers


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Pacific Rim Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition

Student Event

March 21 Lacey, WA

The Pacific Rim Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (PRCCDC) is a regional competition for student teams from two- and four-year colleges and universities in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. The winning team goes on to the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (NCCDC) later in the spring.


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Generative AI and Microsoft Copilot Training for Community College Faculty: 102

Webinar

March 24

This follow-up webinar is designed for faculty looking to integrate Generative AI and Microsoft Copilot into their curriculum. We'll start with a brief review of Copilot Chat, then explore practical strategies for incorporating AI-driven tools into lesson plans. We'll also examine real-world use cases from various disciplines.


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Generative AI and Microsoft Copilot Training for Community College Staff: 102

Webinar

March 24

This follow-up training session is tailored for staff across various departments, offering practical insights into leveraging Generative AI and Microsoft Copilot in workplace operations. After a brief review of Copilot chat, we'll dive into use cases to learn how AI can streamline workflows, improve efficiency, and support decision-making in higher education administration.


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ITEEA Annual Conference

Conference

March 25 Virginia Beach, VA

Join ITEEA’s 2026 Annual Conference — where educators from all levels and learning environments come together to explore the innovations shaping today’s classrooms. This is your opportunity to dive into what’s next in technology, engineering, and STEM education, and discover new ways to inspire and empower every learner.

As the tides shift, make waves—advancing education together.

  • 70+ Hands-On Workshops & Learning Sessions
  • Expert Keynotes from National Education Leaders
  • Countless Classroom-Ready Ideas to Take Home\Unmatched Networking with STEM Educators Across All Levels

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ADMI Symposium 2026

Conference

March 26 Orangeburg, SC

The Association of Computer Science Departments at Minority Institutions (ADMI) is hosting a symposium devoted to computing issues relevant to minority students, education and institutions. This 2026 Symposium will be held in-person and will highlight undergraduate and graduate research with particular interest on innovations in the computing field. The theme of this year's symposium is Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Learning, Teaching, and Research.


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Bio Career Prep Series: Workplace Navigation: Managing Expectations

Student Event

March 27 Online

Join Fridays from 11 AM to 1 PM PT (1-3 PM CT/2-4 PM ET) for the 2026 free interactive Bioscience Career Preparation Series. Learn how about your power in the interview process, the important skills needed for workplace success that may not be taught in classrooms, and then get a chance to speed network with bioscience industry professionals!

Series: Fridays, February 13th - April 24th

Topic: Workplace Navigation: Managing Expectations


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RDL Moonbase National Championship

Student Event

March 27 Johnson City, TN

The RDL Competition is designed to engage students in hands-on, student-centered learning, fostering essential skills for the 21st Century workforce. This year's challenge revolves around problem solving and creating innovative solutions centered around the American mining industry. 

Teams in this challenge have partnered with with bio-mining experts to address environmental issues caused by the affects of hazardous mining activities that threaten all populations and communities worldwide. Instead of relying on hazardous processes, teams are tasked with researching and developing improved methods to help relieve stressed areas. Drones will play a crucial role in mapping the land, taking water samples, and more, while robots will handle tasks such as ordnance detonation, cyber hacking, waterline repair, and much more. 

A strong emphasis on computer science programming is central to RDL, with drones and robots executing complex tasks. Students will collaborate to create complex algorithms and code for autonomous drone and robot operations.

The RDL Competition aligns with educational standards such as the Partnership for 21st Century Learning (P21), Common Core, International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).


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ATE Projects and Centers





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Advanced Manufacturing Technologies topics include:

  • Additive manufacturing
  • Automotive manufacturing
  • General manufacturing
Ag/Env

Agricultural and Environmental Technologies topics include:

  • Agriculture and aquaculture
  • Environmental technologies
  • Natural resources
  • Nuclear power
  • Solar energy
  • Wind power
Bio/Chem

Bio and Chemical Technologies topics include:

  • Biotechnology
  • Chemical and process technologies
Eng

Engineering Technologies topics include:

  • Electronics and controls
  • General engineering
  • Marine technologies
  • Materials technologies
  • Optics
  • Space technologies
Gen

General Advanced Technological Education topics include:

  • Evaluation
  • Learning research
  • Recruitment
  • Teacher preparation
Info

Information and Security Technologies topics include:

  • Geospatial technologies
  • Information and communications technologies
  • Logistics
  • Security, information assurance, and forensics
Nano

Micro and Nanotechnologies topics include:

  • MEMS
  • Microsystems
  • Semiconductors
 

Program Description:

The Commercial Building Energy Analysis and Audits program at City College of San Francisco prepares students to conduct energy audits, evaluate building systems for efficiency, analyze energy data, and apply financial and business strategies in audit reporting. The program is divided into 15 modular courses designed for a community college level student. These courses are adaptable and can be selected, reorganized, or offered in a shorter format to suit individuals with experience in construction, architecture, HVAC, building operations, or mechanical engineering.

Course Description:

This course, from the BEST Center and City College of San Francisco, teaches the fundamentals and concepts of HVAC with an emphasis on types of equipment and conveyance. Topics covered in this course include conversion of units; concept of work power, and energy; psychrometric processes and calculations; thermodynamic laws and heat transfer principles; sensible and latent heat...


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This lesson, presented by the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure, covers nanotechnology in literature and culture. The purpose of the lesson is for students to "read and analyze science outside of their textbooks." At the end of the lesson, students discuss nanotechnology's implications and significance for the future. A Teacher Preparation Guide, Student Guide, and Next Generation Science Standards are included.


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This 7-page resource, published by the American Samoa Technician Education Readiness Pathway Project (ASTERP), is a lesson plan for a 6-week robotic arm building activity. Students "will create their own hydraulically powered robot arms for this assignment to transport marshmallows." The lesson plan includes instructions, a lesson timeline, materials and facilities needed, resources for building the robot arm, and learning objectives/lesson outcomes. Throughout the activity, students will:

  • Learn the about the Engineering Design Process
  • Participate in a team-based learning experience
  • Learn about hydraulics and hydraulic systems
  • Have fun experiencing engineering

Additional lesson plans from ASTERP are available separately.


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Biofab Explorer, provided by CAST, is a "free career guidance resource created to attract and inspire students to the emerging field of biofabrication." On the front page of Biofab Explorer, learners can read about the biofabrication process, watch biofab case study videos, and explore the biofab careers page, which includes video testimonials and information on several careers in biotechnology. Also featured are biofab challenges, which make up a "series of work-based learning simulations that will model what it is like to work in the biofabrication industry." Throughout the challenges, students will practice real-world skills, such as data analysis, communication, and observation. Included are student worksheets and presentation slides. Additionally, Biofab Explorer includes information for teachers regarding using resources on the website for in-class activities.


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This video from the Internet Scout Research Group is part of a series that highlights student success stories related to advanced technological education (ATE) programs. In this video, Elias Marcet discusses his experiences with the Bachelor's program in cybersecurity at Miami Dade College. Elias describes his journey to fully enrolling in Miami Dade, joining the cybersecurity programming, and eventually being employed by Amazon. Funding for the program from the National Science Foundation (NSF) is also explored.

The video runs 5:44 minutes in length.


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Active ATE Centers 15
Active ATE Projects 282
ATE Resources 7,029
New Projects/Centers 62
New Resources 74

ATE Resources by Subject Area

ATE Events by Subject Area

 

New Research: Accelerating Recovery in Community Colleges Network

Created by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES), the Accelerating Recovery in Community Colleges Network (ARCC) is centered on boosting nationwide postsecondary enrollment since the COVID-19 pandemic. The network is currently conducting two research studies: 

  1. Enrollment and Transfer Trends: Building on National Student Clearinghouse data, this research provides valuable insights into postsecondary enrollment and outcome trends.
  2. Spending of Federal Recovery Funds: Relying on data from two sources within the  Department of Education, this study looks at the amount of federal recovery funds community colleges received, how much they spent, and what proportion of funds went to the institution and student needs. 

To learn more about these research studies or to dive into the ARCC’s other initiatives, visit the Community College Research page.


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Upcoming Event Series: Mentor-Connect Webinars

Mentor-Connect supports the ATE community by offering leadership development, outreach strategies, and mentorship programming for STEM faculty at two-year colleges. Additionally, Mentor-Connect assists potential grantees looking for ATE funding by providing guidance on how to apply for an NSF ATE grant. 

The upcoming webinars feature important information regarding project evaluation, necessary components for ATE proposals, budget preparation, and aligning budgets with project descriptions. More information on each webinar can be found on each event’s registration page. 

To learn more about these webinars and additional resources offered by Mentor-Connect, visit their website


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Upcoming Event: Workforce Pell Implementation Webinar

The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) is hosting a webinar on February 26, 2026, to discuss the upcoming implementation of Workforce Pell Grants in community colleges. Workforce Pell Grants are a new type of financial aid, granted to students enrolled in career and technical training programs and short-term education programs. The Workforce Pell Grant is scheduled to go into effect by July 1, 2026.

In this webinar, community college officials and state leaders will be sharing lessons learned during their preparation and navigation of this transition, as well as the work they are doing as stakeholders throughout this process. There will also be a Q&A during the session. 

The webinar will begin at 1:00 PM CST on Thursday, February 26, 2026. For more information or to register, visit the event details page on AACC’s website. 


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