This month, MERC is actually highlighting two resources, courtesy of Sandia National Laboratories.

Sandia is a world leader in the technology required for development, fabrication, and production of microelectronic, photonic, micromachine and microsensor devices and products.

Micromachines Image Gallery provides fascinating images of micromachines, including: Bugs on Devices, Dynamometer, Gears & Transmissions, Indexing Motors, Linear Racks, Microengines and Mirrors, Optical Encoders/Shutters, Steam Engines, and Torsional Ratcheting Actuator. Images may be downloaded and used.

Micromachines Movie Gallery provides brief movies of micromachines in operation. Categories of movies include: Bugs on Devices, Motors, Dynamic SEMS, Gear Chains, Mirrors, Linear Racks, Gears & Transmissions, Steam Engines, and Optical Encoders/Shutters. Movies may be downloaded and used. Requires Quicktime (free download available) or AVI.

Click on the links above to see all that Sandia National Laboratories has to offer!

Remember, MERC registration is free!

Visit with MERC at the upcoming ATE National Principal Investigators annual conference. MERC will be sharing a dissemination station with NETEC, another NSF-ATE Resource Center.

You will have the opportunity to learn more about MERC, browse our site, search for and view the resources in our clearinghouse, and even submit your own materials.

Be sure to visit MERC!

Manufacturing and other engineering technology educators from across the nation will have the opportunity to share best practices and exchange ideas to support and enhance engineering technician education to meet the demands for a more highly-skilled workforce.

The conference is organized around three topics: 1) The Next Frontiers: Programs in Emerging Technologies, including nanotechnology, biomedical technology, bio-manufacturing, and other highly technical fields; 2) Innovations in Curriculum, Methodology, and Pedagogy, including programs and services in engineering technology education, assessment strategies and techniques, and innovative program delivery; and 3) Strategies in Recruitment and Retention, including 2+2+2 programs and effective strategies for recruiting diverse student populations.

Each 75 minute topic forum will begin with a 20-minute presentation of a white paper by a featured speaker, followed by 15-minute presentations submitted by educators. The three forums will each be followed by roundtable discussions facilitated by the featured speaker, as well as NCME and NJCATE personnel.

The conference is limited to 120 participants, so register early! For more information about this exciting opportunity to explore resources and innovations at the two-year and four-year levels, email Gilah Pomeranz, NCME Project Manager, or call her at 937-512-2365.

Published by the NCME. Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.
MERC and the NCME are funded by the National Science Foundation.
Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.