The weather has changed and I am getting ready for more of the white stuff to come. I am not sure we are ever ready for the cold but I must say that the beauty from the white snow can be breathtaking!

The Minnesota State Engineering Center of Excellence teamed together to review the Engineering Center’s Strategic Plan. It has been a couple of years since it was created and we felt there were some other opportunities we need to recognize and modify for clarity. I am proud that we have something like this to guide our mission. Conversations are much easier to have when asked, “What does the Engineering Center do?” When we meet with the Engineering Center Advisory Council in December, we will review it with them, asking them for their recommendations and input. Once that input is distilled, we will make a final modification and look forward to being able to share it with you in our next newsletter.

This past year has been a challenge for everyone but I think we have come into maybe a new “norm” or at least acceptance of new ways of doing things. Our summer Advisory Council Meeting and the fall Engineering and Manufacturing Workforce Partnership Seminar were both offered in a hybrid fashion. I must say, I enjoyed seeing people in person again and with the hybrid model, we were able to connect with people who only had limited time to offer. We are looking forward to presenting our programs in person at the Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs (MAAP) and Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) conferences this winter. If you are in attendance, come and say hello!

One of the items the Engineering Center finds value in is learner participation in experimental and project/problem-based learning. We find this style of learning is significant to building the next generation of high-pay, high-demand technology workers. These students have identified their “passion” simply by their commitment to being involved in these programs. Examples of programs are competitions like the Engineering Machine Design Contest, programs and assessments like Minnesota SkillsUSA, internships, and problem/project-based curriculum for the classroom like the Siemens STEM Curriculum and the Explore Engineering Kit and Curriculum. Passion is hard to find in all of us, but a learner’s commitment to engage in these types of programs shows passion. Articulated credit for these passionate students is a great way to attract this talent into a successful post-secondary experience.

The holiday season is upon us all again. I hope after your time with friends and family, you can take time to reflect upon these good things in your life. We look forward to continuing our outreach efforts of supporting the engineering and engineering technology workforce of tomorrow and we hope you will join us.

All the Best,