The 2011 Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) Student Chapter/Robotics Team at Millersville University recently returned from the ATMAE National Conference held this past November 9-12 in Cleveland, Ohio. The team spent the last year developing MAC DADI (Millersville’s Automatic Color-sorter with Dedicated Active Dual-drive Integration); a custom robot designed to retrieve colored ping pong balls, sort them, and deliver them to designated drop off locations. MAC DADI is the third semi-autonomous mobile robot developed by the team. In 2010, the team won the ATMAE Robotics Cup with SAM (Semi-autonomous Marauder).

This year’s design was extremely sophisticated and the largest mobile robot the team has ever constructed. MAC DADI’s control was distributed over three independent microcontrollers running in parallel sequencing a tremendous amount of inputs and outputs (I/O). “The project took approximately one year (including the summer) and over 3000 man-hours to complete” stated Dr. Wright, the team’s advisor.

While MAC DADI did not win the overall competition, Millersville’s entry did win the majority of the independent awards including Best Electrical/Control Methodology, Best Manufacturing, and Best Technical Paper.  The team now boasts winning 24 awards across several engineering, technology, and computer science robotics competitions since 2001 when the robotics team was launched.

In addition to the robotics awards, Dave Campbell placed third in the Haig Vahradian Technology Challenge (Quiz Bowl Competition), and Brandon Lalli won the Virtual Welding Competition placing 1st and winning himself a brand new Lincoln Electric MIG welder. “I am extremely proud of our team and our accomplishments” says Wright. Twelve team members attended the ATMAE Conference in Cleveland, Ohio - these included:  Dave Campbell, Sean Carter, Pauline Gemberling, Jake Girton, Phil Grigonis, Jon Hanson, Robert Hopkin, Wayne Lady, Brandon Lalli, Ritchie Mauck, Nate Miklos, and Bradley Sensenig (Team Captain).

Twenty-eight members of the Technology Education Collegiate Association (TECA) at Millersville University traveled to Virginia Beach along with two of their advisors for the annual TECA Eastern Regional Conference from November 13-15, 2011. Every student competed in at least one of ten events at the conference and TECA proudly brought home five awards. Members earned first place in three competitions: Automated Systems Design, Elementary Design, and Teaching Lesson. Third place awards were received in Transportation and the Technology Challenge competition.

The competition was tough, but TECA members engaged well in all events they entered. In addition to participating in competitive events at the conference, students interacted with potential employers at the job fair and networked with about 240 peers and professors from about a dozen universities throughout the Eastern seaboard region at meal and social functions. 

Congratulations go out to all TECA member participants. In addition, the TECA at MU executive board, led by President Erica Schmuck, is to be commended for helping to organize this highly successful professional development experience for its members.   

Industrial internship combines the student's academic, technical and management preparation with actual on-the-job experiences in industrial enterprises. Industrial internships have a significant management component in that students are required to engage in management-related activities such as planning, organizing, directing, and controlling at the workplace. The student, the employer, and the Department of Applied Engineering, Safety & Technology faculty work cooperatively to assure the internship experience achieves the best possible learning value.

For more information, please see the internship FAQ page. Any questions should be addressed to
Dr. Mark Snyder, Industrial Technology Program Coordinator.

There are currently no events.

Dr. Scott Warner, Graduate Coordinator, is seeking potential graduate students who are interested in joining a cohort to complete a Master’s of Education in Technology Education in a two-year time frame. Working through the program as part of a cohort will make the graduate experience more meaningful to you as you share learning experiences with your peers. The cohort approach also creates many opportunities for you to develop professional contacts and long-term networking connections. The department’s core of courses will be offered at a rate of at least one per semester during those two years. For your convenience courses will be offered at the 42 Prince Street facility in downtown Lancaster. Most courses will meet for three hours, once a week, in the evenings or on Saturday mornings. The sequence in which the core courses will be offered is as follows:

• EDTE 602 Technology: Impacts and Assessment

• EDTE 600 Teaching Technology Across Disciplines

• EDTE 601 Planning Technology Education Programs

• EDTE 646 Writing the Professional Paper

• EDTE 698 R & D in Technical Areas or EDTE 699 Thesis

To officially start this cohort through the program of study Dr. Warner is encouraging students to enroll in ITEC 586: The Institute for Design Based Education, to be held July 18-22, 2011.

For more information about becoming a member of this cohort, and about the department’s graduate program, you should contact Dr. Scott Warner at 717-872-3365, or send him an E-mail at scott.warner@millersville.edu

Epsilon Pi Tau is the honor society into which qualified women and men have been initiated since 1929 in recognition of leadership or leadership potential. Membership is by invitation when extended by one's peers and colleagues. This particular honor signifies recognition of one or more of the following: leadership potential, leadership accomplishments, or academic achievements.

Dr. Perry R. Gemmill was honored by the Beta Phi chapter during the evening’s events with a plaque designating him as “Trustee Emeritus.” This designation is in recognition for his twenty years of exemplary service as chapter co-trustee, as well for his leadership in the fields of technology and technology education. Dr. Gemmill is retiring at the end of the fall semester at Millersville University. His wife, Kay Gemmill, was also publically recognized and given a small token of the department's esteem for the valuable contributions she has made as well.

November 2011 Inductees

Kevin T. Bond
Anthony S. Burkle
Catherine A. Edwards
Dana T. Fink
Alexander L. Gonzales
Jared M. Hess
Ryan E. Haugh
Joseph A. Kahl
Gregory S. Kline
Richard L. Lister
Zach J. Love
Ryan K. Mack
Michael R. Marron
Molly S. Miller
Philp A. Nolt
Lucas C. Sandoe
Erica R. Schmuck
Dale R. Shoop
Matthew J. Storm
Philip M. Thom
George J. Wagenmann, III
Sarah E. Wilson