The New York State Education Department has awarded Buffalo State College a grant of nearly $1.7 million to develop and conduct a free summer program to train teachers in skills and techniques to help middle and high school level students not only pass rigorous pre-engineering courses but also excite interest in engineering as a career path.

Renowned education and industry leaders in concert with Buffalo State College Technology and Engineering Technology faculty are collaborating to deliver this program, which has two sessions, one starting July 9th, the other July 23rd. Participants can choose between a stipend or receive four graduate credit hours from Buffalo State College, an NCATE, ABET and NAIT accredited institution.

Instruction will include 20 separate, 60-hour engineering-based courses over four weeks. This scheduling allows participants to complete both, if desired. Courses will be available at either regional satellite locations or a centralized location with lodging accommodations. Four critical, demand areas will be emphasized:

. Design, innovation, Engineering, Technology

? Engineering and Prototyping

? Biotechnology and Bioengineering

? Digital Electronics and Control Systems

"We are honored to be able to deliver this important training to the teachers of New York State," said Clarke W. Greene, program coordinator, Technology, Buffalo State College. "Each of the focus areas has a distinct connection to the future economy and employment landscape of Western New York, as well as the entire State and Nation."

A combination of expert instructors and hands-on learning will be applied in these core areas:

? Implementation of in-depth pre-engineering curricular aligned with challenging State and local academic standards

? Laboratory-based activities and extensive hands-on experiences in engineering-related content

? Shared learning with scientists, mathematicians and engineers

? Familiarization with engineering-related career paths.

"Creating engineers of the future involves special teaching techniques to address a rigorous curriculum, as well as to excite students about what engineers actually do and the amazing innovations that result," said Greene. "This educational process and awareness-building needs to start in Middle School, if not earlier. We owe our young people this opportunity to learn, tinker and explore."