2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Utilizing Micro-Credentials to Infuse Renewable Energy Concepts into Engineering Technology Curriculum

Presented at Experiential Learning in ET Programs I

Creation of micro-credentials in higher education allows practitioners add a new skill for career advancement or change, as well as working toward a degree by stacking them.
After the completion of GE’s Wind Turbine Technical Training Program, Farmingdale State College faculty created a " Wind Energy" micro-credential focused on Wind Turbine operation and design. This program covers an array of topics that mechanical, electrical, and civil engineer students can take. While creating this micro-credential program, the College followed the success stories of wind turbine professionals. Furthermore, Farmingdale State College was able to secure grants and build a state-of-the-art wind turbine technology laboratory, the first of its kind in the North East and SUNY system.
The laboratory space and its equipment, including mechanical drives trainers and a nacelle trainer, play a pivotal role in keeping Farmingdale State College, the local community, and other SUNY campuses, like SUNY at Buffalo, up to date of the wind energy field and its requirements. This includes staying current with educational and occupational perspectives within the industry.

Authors

Dr. Khosro Shirvani State University of New York, Farmingdale [biography]

Khosro Shirvani, Ph.D. is an assistant professor in the Mechanical Engineering Technology at Farmingdale State College (FSC). His research areas include Tribology, Additive Manufacturing of Metals, Renewable Energy, and Engineering Education. Since 2011, He has worked on projects sponsored by The Boeing Company, the National Institute of Standards & Technology, and National Science Foundation. Over the past 8 years, he has developed and taught novel hands-on skill-building courses with a focus on design, manufacturing and clean energy technologies. He was also involved in creating a certificate program in Wind Turbine Technology at FSC and authored a paper on developing wind turbine educational programs on the east coast. (“Developing a Premier Wind Turbine Technology Programs in the East Coast: A Novus Industry and Academia Collaborative Approach” at the 2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition)
Prior to 2011, He served as an innovation consultant to turbine engineering and manufacturing companies where he provided and oversaw maintenance strategies for a variety of electro-mechanical and manufacturing equipment. Mr. Shirvani is a member-at-large of the Volunteer Orientation & Leadership Training Academy of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and was a 2018-19 ASME ECLIPSE Member of the Board of Governors.
Prof. Marjaneh Issapour State University of New York, Farmingdale [biography]

Marjaneh Issapour is the Director of Renewable Energy and Sustainability Center (RESC) at Farmingdale State College (FSC) a Campus of State University of New York . She is also a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology at FSC. She has
Zachary Ross Licht State University of New York, Farmingdale

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