The 2012 High Impact Technology Exchange Conference (HI-TEC) brought together nearly 500 participants representing 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Germany, and Spain. HI-TEC 2012 offered four outstanding days of professional development and networking including 14 workshops, 60 presentation sessions, two industry tours, several group meetings, and a technology showcase with over 50 exhibitors. The Denver Marriott Tech Center provided a convenient and comfortable venue for meetings and events July 23-26. See
http://www.highimpact-tec.org/2012conference-proceedings for conference presentations and photos.
According to HI-TEC 2012 attendees, their top three most valuable experiences at the conference were: discussions with colleagues, gaining new knowledge and skills, and accessing resources. While there, nearly three out of four participants explored new technology areas outside their areas of expertise. Here is what a few of the conference-goers had to say after the event:
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This is the best venue for networking and learning about new and existing technologies that can be brought to our classrooms."
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As a result of attending HI-TEC, I have gained valuable information and insights that will help me connect my program to the technical workforce needs in my area."
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I am motivated to implement the knowledge I obtained and I am excited to improve my program and impact the success of my students!"
Each year, HI-TEC's Awards Committee solicits nominations from the ATE centers and projects and selects winners of three technological education awards. The following recipients were honored at the annual HI-TEC Awards Luncheon at the 2012 conference:
Educator of the Year Award: Presented to Bradley Jenkins, St. Petersburg College and FLATE Co-PI, for excellence in technology training and education.
Industry Recognition Award: Presented to Donald McCoy, IBM Corporation, for excellence in industry leadership for technology training and education.
Innovative Program Award: Presented to Bruce Dixon, Executive Director, CT Pre-Engineering Program (CPEP) for the CT Life Support and Sustainable Living (LSSL) Program that creates teams of community college and university students who work with industry on real-world projects.
HI-TEC 2012 was produced by 28 NSF ATE centers and projects with support from the National Science Foundation and contributions from corporate sponsors. The conference was coordinated by the Center for Occupational Research and Development (CORD) and managed by seven committees (Executive, Business, Marketing, Program, Dissemination, Sponsorship, and Awards) comprised of representatives from the NSF ATE centers and projects.
The annual HI-TEC Conference consistently provides one of the best-rated opportunities for professional development, group meetings, networking, and sharing of best practices among secondary and postsecondary technological educators, technicians, industry professionals, and trade organizations.
If you can attend one conference in 2013, join us for HI-TEC July 21-24, 2013 in Austin, Texas. Visit www.highimpact-tec.org for more details.
