The primary purpose of the ihub is to serve as a center that promotes science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) with a particular focus on practical learning and application in advanced…

This $750,000 Project Grant award from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) under the Congressionally-Identified Projects program (CFDA 11.617) supports the establishment and operation of an Innovation Hub (iHub) at Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska. The primary objectives of the iHub are to promote STEM education and provide workforce development focused on advanced manufacturing and smart technologies.

The key activities include creating a fabrication lab to assist local manufacturers with prototyping and automation, developing a robotics curriculum in partnership with Metropolitan Community College, and implementing an outreach plan to engage underserved rural and minority populations. The expected outcomes are increased employment in high-skill, high-wage fields like manufacturing and agriculture, enhanced value placed on technology and innovation, and strengthened rural economic development through improved STEM education and workforce training. As a sub-recipient, Northeast Community College will collaborate with other community colleges in Nebraska to share the robotics curriculum and extend the project's impact statewide.

Activities

The project involves creating and operating the ihub, which will include a fabrication lab to support local manufacturers in prototyping and enhancing automation. Additionally, a robotics curriculum will be developed in collaboration with metropolitan community college (MCC) to offer career exploration and upskilling opportunities. An outreach plan will also be implemented to ensure that underserved populations, including rural residents and ethnic and racial minorities, are aware of and can access these new opportunities.

Expected outcomes

The project is expected to increase employment in high-skill, high-wage career fields, particularly in manufacturing and agriculture. IT will also boost the value placed on technology and innovation in these sectors and encourage entrepreneurial activities within rural communities. By enhancing stem education and workforce development, the project aims to strengthen the rural economy in northeast nebraska.

Intended beneficiaries

The primary beneficiaries of the ihub are local and area manufacturers, especially those involved in agriculture, as well as students and existing workers seeking to upskill in advanced manufacturing and automation. Additionally, the project targets underserved rural populations and ethnic and racial minorities, ensuring they have access to these educational and career opportunities.

Subrecipient activities

The project includes collaboration with MCC for the development of the robotics curriculum, which will be shared with other community colleges in nebraska, thereby extending the project's impact across the state. This partnership is a critical component of the project, ensuring that the curriculum is robust and meets the needs of the state's manufacturing and agriculture sectors.