Transferring the skills acquired through NAIT student chapter involvement to academics and industry.

1. Transferring the skills acquired through NAIT student chapter involvement to academics and industry. Mr. John M. Kuperavage Department of Industry & Technology Millersville University of Pennsylvania Mr. Sergio Sgro, M.S., C.I.T. Owner, CE&T Denver, Pennsylvania

2. Purpose of a Student NAIT chapter The official purpose is to foster technical development, and strengthen the students� skills and abilities. But what does all this really mean?

3. Short vs. Long Term Purpose Short Term: How can the organization help strengthen academic understanding to aid students in their course work? Long term: How can you build the skills to help students prepare for what will come next in life? Primarily a professional career (graduate studies) or a career in industry.

4. A Basic Organization Some of the basic primary functions of an organization include: Attending meetings and conferences Fund raising Sharing ideas related to career development Other events intended to stimulate membership. But what about developing students� academic, professional and industrial skills?

5. Launching a Project to enhance the organization A major problem for students, faculty, and supporters involved in any student organization is the difficulty in recruiting active members without something interesting to do. Ongoing, year round projects is advantageous for several reasons: Enables members to become more active Involves more people Builds an organizational image Most important � It helps students build the skills they need to be successful in their careers.

6. What kind of project can you do? A student organization can launch almost any kind of project. What are the members and advisors interested in doing? Advisors and team leaders should direct students to develop projects that focus on areas that will strengthen members� skills.

7. Types of projects Although the possibilities are endless, there are three types of projects Millersville University has been engaged in: Large multi-person team projects Smaller, one or two person research projects. Auxiliary functions to the organization or other projects

8. Large Team Projects These projects encompass many different skill sets and require multiple sub tasks to go on at the same time. The goal should be to include processes that interest all members regardless of background or focus These types of projects may include: Electric or solar vehicles Mobile Robotics Other construction oriented projects.

9. Smaller Research Projects If a student or small group of students are interested in a particular area, which large projects cannot focus on, an organization may support this type of project. Independent projects may include: Research for a larger project. Projects for a specialized interest Class assignments Independent Studies These projects are beneficial when first starting out or when finances are a factor.

10. Auxiliary Projects These types of projects act as a supplements to the organization or other projects. This enables you to easily involve more people with a wider variety of specific interests. Auxiliary projects may include: Activities to promote the organization such as flyers, signs, correspondence and web page design. Project documentation such as technical posters CADD work on all types of projects (if not included within the project)

11. From NAIT to the classroom Laboratory experiences are essential to allow students apply theory to actual application and get hands on experience. Applied projects also help transfer knowledge from theory to application The benefit of applied projects is that students are able to use critical thinking to develop the best solutions to problems rather than finding the one correct answer an instructor is looking for.

12. NAIT acting as a Capstone Experience Since the projects an organization launches are applied where the solution is not entirely laid out, students must draw from many different areas to complete the task. Using the skills acquired from different academic focuses makes the project a capstone for the student�s academic experience. This allows students to make connections between different concentrations, which may be absent when only focusing on a specific area in the classroom.

13. Why does this work? Projects allow students to expand their knowledge in any direction which best solves the problem, rather than operate within the constraints of a class�s objectives. This allows students to think �out of the box� and acquire real world knowledge rather than being taught a predetermined set of topics. Applied projects give students opportunities to use their most creative ideas from all focuses to solve a problem where the best solution may not be known to anyone. Since the project is voluntary and based on a student interest, they take ownership. It becomes enjoyable rather then a requirement. Since it is like a hobby, students will work harder to develop these answers

14. Electronics and Control Systems Mobile Robotics � Incorporating microprocessors on and various electronics on robots. Electric Vehicle � This has many of the same benefit of mobile robotics but on a larger scale. Independent Research � This includes topics such as: automated heat seeking robots, GPS/microprocessor studies, fluid power research.

15. Manufacturing and Construction Mobile robotics and the electric vehicle � Manufacturing of chassis and components. CNC machining � Creating precision for mobile robotics. Cabinet Construction - Construction of NAIT display case project done entirely by student members.

16. Polymers and other Non-metallics Polyformed Electric Vehicle Body - A light weight body that was designed and built to make the electric vehicle more aerodynamic. Robot Shells - Built for mobile robots to improve aesthetics and protection. The human powered submarine - Built using many different non-metallic materials.

17. CADD and Graphic Design CADD work - Done for the robotics team and electric vehicle. Technical Posters � Designed to document the development of projects Promotional Pamphlets and flyers � Done year round to help distribute information about the organization Web page design � Used to help promote the organization and keep students updated on the organization.

18. Management When projects are designed correctly, all participants will have some type of management responsibilities. Group Projects: Team leaders: Manage resources and capital to create the best opportunities for everyone involved in the organization Individuals: Manage their area to ensure the teams success. Individual Projects: For a class, the team, or the organization: Deadlines and goals must be reached. For personal interests: The organization still expects to see project results since the image of the organization relies on it and the conclusions may be expanded upon by other members.

19. Academia and Research A function of a student organization should be to help its students explore a future in academia or research if so desired. All these applied projects are essentially applied research projects where a challenge devised and the solution is unknown to the student. When someone succeeds in the research of a project, the organization should encourage them present or publish on the topic. (A key function of an advisor could be to co-author these types of documents) This not only helps the student develop professionally but enhances the organizational image. For students who aspire to teach at any level, these projects could be used as examples of other project that can be initiated inspire students.

20. Transferability of skills Management Sales/Marketing Design/Engineering Accounting Presentation

21. Transferability of skills Management People, people, people! The skill (or ability) to lead those individuals who stand to gain practically nothing (your friends, classmates, etc) The realization that teamwork works much better when you talk about it - example An introduction to political prowess (academic in nature, but political none the less) � A surprise to find that some professors aren�t as excited about new opportunities as you thought they should be

22. Sales/Marketing Fear of rejection - and there are many Getting your foot in the door Keeping everyone in the loop Transferability of skills

23. Design/Engineering Problem solving � example: The TroutEV Transferability of skills

24. Accounting Cash flow: money comes in�. Budgeting within constraints (making it work) Transferability of skills

25. Presentation Standing up in front of your peers can be much harder than strangers. Organizing and running meetings (their dynamics, or lack there-of)