One of our goals at Northwest State Community College is to educate a workforce not just for today, but for the future. That means being forward-thinking when it comes to our course offerings and our teaching facilities. Here are just a few examples of how we bring high tech to higher education.
Additive Manufacturing
You’ve probably heard of 3-D printing. Have you ever wondered just exactly how it works, and what potential this innovation holds for everyday life?
“Seeing is believing,” says Dr. Dan Burklo, Dean of Science, Technology, Engineering Technology and Math at NSCC. That’s the ‘additive’ concept – adding a substance layer by layer. The process is similar to printing a document, but the output is a 3-D product. While seemingly more complicated, additive manufacturing can be much more efficient. There is less waste of material and it takes advantage of combining precise digital technology, he adds. “A complicated machine part that could take days to produce in the traditional way could be built in a matter of minutes with the 3-D layering method.” Many more materials are now being used in the process as well – not just plastics but stronger specialized fibers like Kevlar and even titanium steel.
Bigger things are on the horizon, says Burklo. There are large-scale machines that are capable of printing car parts – in hours, not days. “They’re already doing that in space. NASA teamed with a company to develop methods to print tools in the International Space Station. Can you imagine how much it would cost to deliver supplies to astronauts? Now they can print a wrench in space,” he adds.
The process is so different than traditional manufacturing that it can sound far-fetched. But it is revolutionizing everything from auto parts production and ship repair, to surgical operations and space exploration. Burklo sees the importance of additive manufacturing as an important area that the College will continue to address in the future. Wayne Merrell, Ed.D, Assistant Grants Director at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges agrees, stating “Over 81 percent of U.S. manufacturers acknowledge that Additive Manufacturing (AM) is a key element in their future competitiveness.”
Equipment in the NSCC engineering technologies labs is already allowing students to experiment with the applications of Additive Manufacturing – giving them direct hands-on experience with this technology.
Engineering Education That Inspires
When Sabrina Haas, a Northwest State nursing student, mentioned the situation her grandson Cameron was facing, she had no idea how quickly their worlds would change. Cameron was born with a partial right hand, and the family had explored various options, including prosthetics. A new prosthetic hand could have cost the family $20,000 or more, and because of his age (Cameron was three at the time), insurance coverage was not an option.
That’s when Northwest State stepped in.
The nursing faculty heard of Cameron’s dilemma, and suggested Sabrina talk to the Science, Technology, Engineering Technology and Math (STEM) division. Colin Doolittle, NSCC STEM faculty member and 2017 NSCC Distinguished Alumni recipient, agreed to help in a heartbeat. Joining Doolittle in this service learning project were six students from the STEM and Industrial Technologies divisions – each agreeing to help without pause. In about one month’s time, every part of the process from a design to a prototype, to a finished 3D-printed hand was complete.
An anonymous donor provided the materials, so there was no cost to the family for the project. In total, the hand cost less than $100 to produce. Now, Cameron has a 3D-printed hand that helps him look and feel like a superhero, and the technology used allows the hand to evolve as Cameron grows. The positive impact extended beyond Sabrina and Cameron, as it showed that Northwest State truly is the “heart of education.”
“I came to Northwest State to change my life, and now I have the opportunity to change someone else’s life too. That’s an incredible feeling,” reflected NSCC student Brandon Allen. Allen was one of the six NSCC students who donated their time and talents to helping the Haas family. The team has received many requests from around the country since completing the project. “We are blessed to be in a position where we can apply what we learn to help those in need, in our community and beyond,” said Doolittle.
Project Management
The demand for educated Project Managers continues to grow nationally and in the state of Ohio. Time management, hands-on engineering, and refined communication skills are required by several industries in order to meet tight profit margins. Construction, Engineering, Logistics, and Manufacturing are the strongest areas of employment for graduates of the NSCC Project Management Technology associate degree program.
Employers on the local level indicate that graduates of the Project Management program have many good career opportunities. “The Project Management program is a continued point of emphasis for the College,” Burklo noted. “Our associate degree program provides a solid foundation, and we are exploring ways to expand the program to continue to best serve our students and our area employers,” Burklo continued.
Electro-Mechanical Engineering
The demand for technicians and engineering technologists remains high, with two of the main areas of interest in mechanical and electrical. While positions have historically been described as either mechanical or electrical, today many companies are looking for mechanical engineering technologists with some electrical background or electrical with some mechanical aptitude. Companies are looking for individuals with both mechanical and electrical skills.
Northwest State has partnered with area high schools and employers for a unique apprenticeship program, where various aspects of electro-mechanical engineering are provided as part of the College Credit Plus program. The classes, typically held at the employer facilities and taught by NSCC instructors, engage students with fun, hands-on activities. “This apprenticeship program is effective on so many levels,” Burklo said. He concluded, “For the students, it’s an eye opener about how cool STEM and advanced manufacturing can be. For NSCC, it’s showing students why a college education is the critical link to getting the job they want. For the employers, it’s building a pipeline for future employees by showing that today’s manufacturing environment is clean, efficient, and forward-thinking.”
For more information on these and many other programs, visit NorthwestState.edu. You can explore degree requirements, class schedules, registration information and more.
