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HCC Receives $200,000 Grant From National Science Foundation To Enhance Teaching STEM Courses

BRIDGEPORT – Housatonic Community College has received a $200,000 National Science Foundation grant to develop teaching modules that will enhance the teaching a variety of science, technology, engineering and math courses with the aid of 3-D solid modeling software

The modules will allow students to create three-dimensional objects through the use of three-dimensional equations, thus bringing the educational experience from the theoretical realm to the real-world.

The modules will allow students to see the results of their equations in 3-D on computer screens. Then, using 3-D printers, the students will be able to create an object they can hold in their hand the equation they just developed

The use of the software in multidisciplinary courses mirrors the real-world practices. In industry, the design of a product is a multidisciplinary effort in which engineers and technologists integrate the laws of physics, optics, chemistry and thermodynamics and use algorithmic technical computing to analyze the design.

However, instruction in these technical fields has been along rigid disciplinary lines. HCC’s software modules will break down these disciplinary barriers.

The modules being developed will be tested, assessed and disseminated to the state’s 12 community colleges and four state universities. Ultimately, this method of instruction and learning will be spread to high school students and educators.

Support for this grant is provided by the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program under grant number DUE1400551.