BENTONVILLE, AR (Aug. 19, 2024) – The NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) is now taking applications for its new robotics project for high school students at no cost.
The project was funded by partnerships between the NWAESC, the 16 school districts, NWACC and the Walton Family Foundation.
“This partnership with the Northwest Arkansas Education Service Cooperative will allow high school students to develop workforce skills, earn industry certifications, and college credit while still in high school,” said Diana Johnson, NWACC’s senior vice president for learning. “Helping students at all stages of life is a core mission of community colleges.”
The STEM I2A: Career Technical Education (CTE) Innovation Incubator Accelerator is a project that NWACC officials say identified a range of programs to implant advanced skills into new and existing CTE pathways while granting practical learning and internships.
“This project will better equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to align with industry needs,” said Starlinda Sanders, NWACC’s associate vice president of workforce. “This started as an idea with the Northwest Arkansas Education Service Cooperative (NWAESC) as they sought to build richer CTE programs. NWACC came on board as the postsecondary education partner to offer concurrent credit and potential degree programs.”
Classes will begin in August at the Washington County location and Bentonville campus. About 36 students at different locations will have the opportunity to enroll in three distinct time openings, which Sanders said will expand learning opportunities.
“The program was designed to provide concurrent college credit for foundation courses and entry-level certifications at the high school level, “said Sanders. “Those students are then well equipped to continue in a career pathway that leads to a technical certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree, depending on the needs and interests of students.”
“This is a forward-looking program for students to explore STEM-rich opportunities,” said Bryan Law, the former director of the Northwest Arkansas Education Service Cooperative. “Classes will begin in high school, but career exploration and exposure events will begin in 7th grade so students can make informed choices.”
The program will be opened to juniors and seniors from 16 schools, and students will earn 12 concurrent college credits and three industry certifications within the first year.
The project classes will be face-to-face and will last eight weeks, with one full course completed each term.
"This program is unique because it provides an opportunity for students to set up, program, and troubleshoot real robotic systems and see them in action,” said Chris Lynch, NWACC’s director of advanced technologies. “The curriculum is professional-level FANUC training, and students will be prepared to obtain certification as a robot operator. They will also gain valuable experience in electricity, electronics and programming that will prepare them to effectively learn and use emerging technologies in the future."
The college hopes to add a second year of advanced coursework, offering an additional 12 hours of concurrent credit and more industry designations and experience.
To apply and learn more about the STEM I2A: CTE Innovation Incubator Accelerator project, click here.
About NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC):
NWACC is an accredited, public two-year institution that serves and strengthens its surrounding communities by helping students maximize their potential and exceed expectations. With state-of-the-art facilities, NWACC provides excellent academic instruction, workforce training and personalized attention from highly respected faculty, staff and administrators. For more information about NWACC, visit www.nwacc.edu.
NWACC is an accredited, public two-year institution that serves and strengthens its surrounding communities by helping students maximize their potential and exceed expectations. With state-of-the-art facilities, NWACC provides excellent academic instruction, workforce training and personalized attention from highly respected faculty, staff and administrators. For more information about NWACC, visit www.nwacc.edu.
