University of Toledo receives $1 million to lead mechatronics program
Image from The National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation (NSF) recently awarded the University of Toledo nearly $1 million to support Experiential Learning Opportunities in Mechatronics, in collaboration with Toledo Public Schools, Owens Community College and Dana Inc. This three-year initiative aims to provide 150 high school students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds with hands-on learning opportunities focused on electric vehicles and advanced manufacturing.
Students will participate in an after-school Mechatronics Club, receiving industry-standard training with Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) and engaging in hybrid, gaming-centered, and experiential learning activities. The program will culminate in an annual team-based competition that showcases the students' skills and innovations.
Participants will also learn how to apply their new skills in professional and skilled trade employment, exploring avenues ranging from immediate employment as technicians to higher education.
Dana will provide club members with mentoring by its engineers focused on career readiness and life skills, while providing exposure to professional and skilled trade employment opportunities at its technology centers and manufacturing facilities.
NSF’s Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) initiative uses a cohort model and emphasizes the importance of mentorship in achieving the program's goals. ExLENT is designed to provide opportunities to workers with no prior experience in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
Other Ohio awardees from this round of the NSF ExLENT program are The Ohio State University and the University of Cincinnati.
What They're Saying
“This significant NSF award will play a crucial role in shaping the future of our workforce in Northwest Ohio. By engaging our youth in cutting-edge education and providing them with practical skills and industry exposure, we are not only fostering their career readiness but also driving the economic revitalization of our region.”
“The collaboration between Dana, Owens Community College, Toledo Public Schools and UToledo will benefit young students and current workers for careers in emerging technologies. By providing mentorship and opportunities for advanced education for participants, this collaboration will more broadly support the exciting and rapidly growing electric vehicle industry in northwest Ohio.”
– Dr. Constance Schall, interim vice president for research, University of Toledo
“By establishing hands-on engineers clubs at our area’s schools, we aim to introduce students to exciting technologies and equip them with the confidence and skills they need to pursue exciting careers in AI, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, electric mobility, environmental engineering, glass engineering and nuclear engineering, which are in high demand in northwest Ohio.”
– Dr. Mohammad Elahinia, interim dean of the University of Toledo College of Engineering
“This project is aligned with the district's new state-of-the-art electric vehicle center at the Toledo Technology Academy of Engineering which will open in early August.”
– Dr. Romules Durant, CEO/Superintendent, Toledo Public Schools.
"This initiative not only aligns with our commitment to providing practical, industry-relevant education but also aims to recruit and support these students with scholarships, fostering a diverse and skilled advanced manufacturing workforce in northwest Ohio.’’
– Baqer Aljabr, Interim Co-Dean of the School of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics, Owens Community College
“We are excited to be part of this innovative partnership with academia, industry, and government working together to find a better way to develop and nurture technology talent."
– Christophe Dominiak, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Dana.
