March 2021
Shop Talk Participants Learned about ARC Design Hub Simulation Tools
At the Shop Talk on February 23, Randy Schuster, Design Hub, American River College, presented on using simulations for remote instruction. He demonstrated tools that enable students to experience milling, land surveying and drone flights. Even when COVID is over, Schuster envisions using the program for pre-training on the simulator before students actually get on mills.

These simulation tools can also be used for job training. For example, of the eight students who recently took the drone flight class, three got their licenses.

Schuster also mentioned that they have a library where students can view 3D models using Unity WebGL that works on any browser. The Design Hub is looking for interns who will be attending ARC and Schuster offered the Design Hub as a resource for instructors. See the presentation slide deck or visit the ARC Learning Simulation Tools website. Contact Randy Schuster for more information.
Project Update
Cordova High School Students Chat with Mechanical Engineer
On February 11, 2021, Cordova High School participated in the Breakfast with a Manufacturer series, arranged by Edu2Mfg in partnership with the Sacramento Valley Manufacturing Alliance. Twenty-seven students in Faith Caplin's advanced engineering class spent an hour virtually interacting with Mike Bell, Mechanical Engineer.  Bell has a wide range of experience as an engineer and as a faculty member at both California State University Sacramento and Sierra College.

Bell offered the students a thorough overview of what manufacturing engineers do on the job. He explained many aspects of an engineer's involvement in manufacturing projects. Bell also shared the wide variety of interesting experiences students might have if they embark on a manufacturing career.

When asked what skill set would benefit students most in the future, Bell said, "Have a working knowledge of software development and how software is an integral part of various technologies."
Autodesk® Fusion 360® Now Works on Any Browser
Di Jin, Account Manager, Autodesk Education Experiences, Autodesk®, announced at the February Shop Talk that Autodesk® Fusion 360® is now available as a web app for all students and educators -- no download required. Jin has been an amazing resource to educators during COVID, according to Jeff Briggs, Regional Director, Advanced Manufacturing, North Region. "Di attends the Shop Talk to share updates and takes educators' questions and ideas back to the Autodesk® team," said Briggs.

Many manufacturing instructors use Autodesk® Fusion 360®, an integrated 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE tool, to prepare students with critical skills for employment. The company learned that as many as 600,000 students across California lacked computing devices for remote instruction, according to State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond, at the California Department of Education.

Autodesk® announced: "In a move to promote equality of opportunity and access to technology, Autodesk is making Fusion 360 available on all devices with a modern browser. The move marks a continued push for accessibility in the Autodesk Education Community, following the widespread success of Fusion 360 for Chromebooks."

To get started with the Fusion 360 web app, visit fusion.online.autodesk.com from any device with a keyboard (this excludes tablets and mobile phones such as iPads and iPhones), and log in using your educational account credentials. For more information, please visit the Autodesk® FAQ page.
Next Shop Talk Will Connect Instructors in April
The next Edu2Mfg Shop Talk will be held in April after Spring Break. Shop Talk enables instructors to share tips and tools that they have found to enhance their instruction. The group has also worked with vendors to access remote learning tools during the pandemic.
To join future Shop Talk calls, please Click Here to request access and/or get on the list for future notifications.
Watch Shop Talk: Previous recorded Shop Talk calls are available on the Edu2Mfg website.
Resources: See List of Shop Talk Resources on the website.
Learn Best Practices from CCCAOE Conference
The California Community College Association for Occupational Education (CCCAOE) will be held remotely for three weeks during March, starting on the third. The theme is "Modeling Inclusiveness leads to a sustainable call to action." The nine day interactive conference will take place March 3-5, 9-11 and 16-18. Learn more from the CCCOAE Spring 2021 Conference flyer.
Teach Mechatronics? Sample Parallax Propeller 2 Developer Bundles
Parallax Inc. is offering Propeller 2 Developer Bundles to those teaching Mechatronics to sample and provide feedback. Parallax announced: "To support the professors with Fall 2021 course integration in mind, we're sampling a half-dozen Propeller 2 Developer Bundles for evaluation, through March. The requirements of the program are basic: you're a mechatronics professor; you'll participate in one Zoom focus group meeting with other mechatronics professors in May to share ideas; and, you'll provide us with some feedback on your interests for applications." Send your request to the Parallax Inc. Education Hotline.
Partnerships Prepare People for Manufacturing Careers
The California Mobility Center (CMC) and Charles A. Jones Career & Education Center have partnered to prepare workers for manufacturing jobs through the CMC Careers Pathways Program, supported by the Sacramento COVID Relief Workforce Recovery Program. The primary focus is to assist participants with employment placement. They offer an 80-hour job readiness training, technical training, internships and job placement. Results include:
  • 297 Community Based Organization (CBO) participants
  • 285 CBO Job Readiness completers
  • 38 students enrolled in technical training at Charles A. Jones Career & Education Center
  • 8 people placed in manufacturing employment
  • 17 people placed in internships

The Charles A. Jones (CAJ) Career & Education Center and Sacramento Valley Manufacturing Alliance (SVMA) are collaborating to offer entry-level training to attract people to the manufacturing industry. Synbyo, Aerometals, Comcast, Farm Fresh 2U and Siemens are supporting the "Manufacturing Cares" program by hiring participants. So far, 12 have found employment and seven are currently interning with CMC.

Moving forward, the CAJ Career & Education Center is adding forklift and OSHA 10 safety training as stand alone courses. In addition, the 90-hour introduction to manufacturing course will be repurposed to prepare individuals to be machine operators, ready for apprenticeship training and employment programs. Learn more at Manufacturing Cares.
CMTC Offers Shifting Gears Podcasts
The manufacturing industry is undergoing a revolution and CMTC can give you and your students as well as businesses insights through a series of podcasts. Featuring conversations from the field, Shifting Gears highlights manufacturers, consultants and industry experts from the modern world of manufacturing. These quarterly podcasts include trends, technology and experts' perceptions to help manufacturers thrive in today's economy. Check out these Shifting Gears Podcasts.
Jeff Briggs . Regional Director . Advanced Manufacturing North Region 
916.316.8100 . JeffBriggs@SierraCollege.edu . http://www.edu2mfg.org/ 
Hosted at Sierra College . 5100 Sierra College Blvd., Rocklin CA 95677
Funding provided in part through Sierra College Grant #19-452-001, administered by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office.
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