CART Presents Papers for Industry and Education Collaboration

(Bluefield)—Two scholarly papers prepared and submitted by the Center for Applied Research, Inc. (CART) at Bluefield State College were accepted and presented at the 38th Annual Conference for Industry and Education Collaboration (CIEC) held in San Antonio, Texas on February 2-4, 2011. The conference is organized by four divisions of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE).  The CIEC EXPO features exhibitors from academic organizations, their industrial partners, and over 300 professionals in engineering education. CIEC is a nationally recognized conference focusing on industrial collaboration and engineering education issues for industry, universities and government.  The paper presentations describe results and conclusions obtained from applied research and demonstration projects by CART at BSC.

The paper, “Using Pen-Based Technology to Improve Instruction in Engineering Economics,” was presented by Glen Ciborowski (Assistant Professor, School of Engineering Technology and Computer Science) and Bruce Mutter (CEO/Chair, CART).  Based on the outcome of the applied research in Engineering Economics, Ciborowski noted, “We are now using Tablet PC’s in other courses and recommend this learning environment to our colleagues.  It is encouraging to experiment with new technology as part of the continual improvement process.”

The second presentation, “Benefits of Small College-Industry Partnerships for Training Program Development” was presented by Mutter.  “CART is actively developing a cooperative learning program that will combine BSC classroom learning and laboratories with practical, competitively paid, work experience assignments with our regional industrial partners,” Mutter said.  “Undergraduates participating in our applied research assistantship program (ARAP) would combine semesters of full-time study with half-time cooperative work experience where they earn and learn.” 

An ASEE Engineering Technology Council (ETC) Executive Board Meeting also took place at the conference.  The ETC session was led by the Chair of the council, Frank Hart, Dean, School of Engineering Technology and Computer Science, BSC.   "The purpose of this conference is to foster collaboration between industry and higher education and help transform the education of future engineers and technologists” Hart added. "It is important for our students to find opportunities to put classroom knowledge and laboratory experiences to use in solving real-world problems.  This better prepares them for more advanced coursework and meaningful careers.”