MIMIC Project Featured in NSF  ATE Program Impact Book

In 2005, IVCC was awarded a $230,000 grant from the NSF to build its technical programs around the MIMIC project, which allows engineering design, electronics and business students to experience a work environment in a classroom setting.

Under the grant, freshmen in engineering design and electronics are introduced to continuous quality improvement, reengineering and team work. In their final semester, students work in MIMIC teams, called companies, to design, produce, market and sell a product.

Promising technical students are also being provided with opportunities to develop their leadership skills and are utilizing those skills in recruiting and mentoring activities.

The Impact book features 84 Advanced Technological Education (ATE) projects supported by the NSF and is co-sponsored by the American Association of Community Colleges.

George Boggs, President of the American Association of Community Colleges, said "ATE Projects Impact highlights the inventive ways educators at two-year colleges are leading efforts to resolve significant technical education issues."

Dorene Perez, Program Coordinator of Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Engineering at IVCC and Principal Investigator on the grant, said: "We’re delighted to be included in this nationally-distributed publication."

As a result of the grant, IVCC has partnered with Sinclair Community College in Dayton, OH, whose quality control students test MIMIC products. Previous MIMIC products have included a wall-mounted and lighted fish tank, a lighted pet collar pendant, desktop fountains, and personal alarms.