Grants to enhance and support the learning environment of our engineering students:
District Level:

2007-2008 A Systems Approach to Teaching Digital Design
A widening gap exists between skills needed and skills currently utilized by the workforce. To address current industry needs, the system approach of teaching activities will be developed to assist students in learning digital design. The activities will be built around new Xilinx web-based software 9.2i and the FPGA Spartan-3 development board.

2005-2006 MCLI Animating digital design concepts
This grant is to develop several graphics based self-tests designed to help students assess and develop their understanding of course material.  The plan is to animate all the building blocks for a 4-bits microprocessor.  Also, all the building blocks components for an aspirin factory to automatically count and bottle tablets will be developed.  These building blocks will be all used together to accomplish a specific objective.   For example, students have difficulty understanding how a 4 bits microprocessor works to add, subtract and perform some logical operation.  A straight PowerPoint lecture does not provide much opportunity for learning. However, if we have the students interact with the animation and discuss it with their classmates, the students will be an active participant in the lecture/labs and solve real-world problems through collaborative teamwork, critical-thinking and key decision-making. Completed

2004-2005 MCLI The Engineering Learning Community: Linking An Engineering Problem-Solving and Design Course with Freshman Composition. 
More than one half of an engineer's job involves writing.  Bassam Matar and Wendy Matar (Adjunct English faculty) are developing a learning community linking ECE 102, an engineering tool and design course, and ENG 101, a composition course based on problem-solving, research and persuasion. We are developing joint activities that focus on critical thinking skills, collaborative teamwork, visualization, hands-on opportunities, and service-learning.  The learning community will be offered during F'05 semester.  During Sp'06, we will offer a learning community between ECE 103, Engineering Problem Solving and Design and ENG 102, English composition course. Completed

2003-2004 MCLI Improving Instruction of "Electrical Network One" class (ECE 201)
ECE 201 is the first analog course that engineering students are required to take at the community colleges as a prerequisite to engineering degrees. Bassam Matar developed activities lessons and hardware and software experiments (through interactive modules) that foster an active-learning environment. These activities teach the students to solve real-world problems through collaborative teamwork, critical-thinking and key decision-making. Ultimately, the goal is to enhance understanding of fundamental engineering concepts through computation, hands-on and visualization. Completed  

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Grants - National Science Foundation 

2008-2012 NSF Scholarships for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Program (S-STEM).  The overarching goal of the CGCC HTTPS Project is to provide specialized educational opportunities and services for academically talented full-time financial-aid eligible students with majors or program interests pursuing degrees in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Anyone with a financial need can apply. All HTTPS recipients will have an ultimate goal to complete an Associate Degree and/or transfer to a Baccalaureate Degree-granting institution, and a long term goal of entering the workforce in their skill area.  Please visit the following web site

2007-2009 NSF Electronic System Grant  The Electronic System is a 3 years grant that provides tools and resources to support electronics technology and electronic system eduction. For more information please visit the Esys web site.

2003-2005 NSF METS Grant
The METS Project - Maricopa Engineering Transition Scholars- is a two-pilot collaboration between ASU-Tempe and CGCC to forge an integrated learning system that enrolls, retains, and graduates women and underrepresented minorities in engineering degree programs.  The project is designed to 1) create an interest in engineering among students at the CC; 2) help students to transfer smoothly from a CC to a four-year engineering program at ASU; and 3) assist the students in persisting to earn an undergraduate degree in engineering. Bassam Matar serves as Co-Principal Investigator.  The grant ends on June 30, 2005.  We are asking NSF for a one-year extension. Completed

2002-2005 NSF Teaching Factory Grant
The Teaching Factory project (NSF grant)- This is a 3-year project between ASU-Polytechnic and CGCC. Faculty from both institutions are working together to develop curriculum and to assist on-going testing and evaluation of the learning materials that will be used in the 15,000-square-foot, semiconductor manufacturing clean room at ASU- Polytechnic. The grant ends on June 30, 2005.  Bassam Matar serves as Co-Principal Investigator. Completed

1996-2004 NSF Cross-Training Technicians and Engineers for Semiconductor Manufacturing.
A consortium consisting of three universities and three community college systems, in three contiguous states, each with semiconductor manufacturing as an economic backdrop, implemented "cross-training" of technicians and engineers. The expectation was that "cross-training" technicians and engineers, such that they better understand the roles and skill sets of the other, will enhance their effectiveness as team members in real semiconductor factory settings.  The University of New Mexico was the prime; the University of Texas, Arizona State University, Austin Community College, Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute and CGCC acted as sub-recipients for the grants. Bassam Matar served as Developer and Co-Principal Investigator. Completed 

2007-2010 NSF  2010 Electronic Systems
This proposed project will affect the core curriculum of electronics technology programs. This fresh, new approach will invigorate electronics curriculum by inserting a systems point of view in every phase.  The proposed approach will restructure programs to make them more relevant to industry and more attractive to new generations of students. Programs will be more adaptable to the needs of their learners - those who are new students and those who are currently employed.  It should be noted that this project is not designed to replace existing electronics curriculum, but to enhance existing curriculum by adding new approaches and attracting new student populations. The supplemental materials to be developed will help departments evolve from their current course content to an updated and more systems-oriented approach that is more in keeping with contemporary industry practices.

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Industry Grant:

2006 - 2007 HP "Technology for Teaching" Grant

Chandler-Gilbert Community College was selected as one of 40 two- and four-year colleges and universities nationwide to receive the 2006 HP Technology for Teaching grant, which is designed to transform and improve learning in the classroom through innovative uses of technology.

CGCC received an award package of HP products and a faculty stipend valued at more than $69,000.

"The HP Technology for Teaching initiative focuses on transforming teaching and learning through technology," said Bess Stephens, vice president, Philanthropy and Education, HP. "By integrating mobile technology in meaningful ways into their classrooms, instructors can increase student achievement and interest and prepare them for greater success in the competitive global workforce."

Each of the HP Technology for Teaching grant recipients will use HP wireless Tablet PC technology to enhance learning in engineering, math, science, computer science, or business courses. CGCC's project, "Engineering Science Computing: Communication and Problem Solving Integration," will focus on using HP tablet PCs to engage students in lecture with conceptual questions and problems. Virtual simulations, real-world examples, and simulated labs will allow students to experience science, technology, engineering and mathematics coursework in situations impossible to replicate with traditional equipment.

"The HP tablet PCs will be an essential tool in engineering and mathematics classes where the materials are often mathematically and graphically intensive. For content development, the main advantage of pen-based technology is that notes, equations and graphics can be hand-written and captured in an electronic form," said Bassam Matar, CGCC Engineering Faculty. "The technology will enable the instructor to gain instant feedback, evaluate comprehension, and immediately restructure the lecture according to student need. Increasing student engagement in the lecture will translate to reduced student apprehension and better understanding, culminating in higher test scores and greater retention. Using the technology, students learn complex material in an active, engaged format that builds confidence." Completed