Science Foundation Arizona awards $1 million for mechatronics program

Cochise College has received a $500,000 grant from Science Foundation Arizona, a national affiliate of the Council on Competitiveness, to start training students in mechatronics, an applied engineering program that prepares students to enter the workforce or continue their studies. The grant will be matched with a $500,000 endowed STEM Pathway Scholarship, established by the Cochise College Foundation, which will provide financial support to students enrolling in the new program.

The mechatronics program will be part of a “pathway” of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs that are available at Cochise College and currently include summer camps for kids, math academy for middle-school students, and Running Start and dual/reverse credit courses for high school students.

Expected to kick off early in 2010, the new program calls for Siemens-certified instructors to provide technical education and skills training to prepare students for undergraduate studies in applied engineering and science leading to an internationally recognized Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification. The college is developing a Running Start Academy in mechatronics that will serve approximately 20 high school students annually, as well as certificate and associate degrees for other students. The pilot program will be the first of its kind in the western United States.

“The goal is to support a pipeline of high school graduates who have the necessary skills to attract and grow high-paying, technology-based jobs in Arizona,” said William C. Harris, president and CEO of Science Foundation Arizona. “Cochise College and will engage Arizona’s youth in STEM education and prepare them to meet and exceed local and global industry needs.”

The grant also will fund instructional television outreach to local high schools. It was announced at a STEM Summit hosted by Fort Huachuca and Cochise College on Thursday. Attendees toured sites on the military post that reflect demand for workers using skills and knowledge gained in STEM disciplines and heard from representatives of organizations that support STEM education.

“Skilled employees are an important ingredient for Fort Huachuca’s strategic operations,” said Col. Melissa A. Sturgeon, garrison commander on the post.  “This new program will allow us to tap into a talent base much earlier with possibilities for engaging students in hands-on learning opportunities that complement their knowledge base.”