Tallahassee Community College has been awarded a nearly 200 thousand dollar grant for its science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines. TCC said the money should help fill the gap left by big universities.
The grant from the National Science Foundation creates an engineering technician track at TCC. The school also plans to encourage dual enrollment of high school students to get them involved in math and science. Dean of the Technology and Professional Programs Division at TCC Kate Stewart said, while UF and FSU focus on engineering programs, community colleges are better suited for teaching hands-on technical skills.
“And we really need both, we need the engineers, because without them there would be no new innovation, but we also need the technology or the technician people to help implement the designs they create,” Stewart said.
Stewart also said that the job market is calling for more science and math careers. And, she says, the future will be kept afloat by an engineering and technology based workforce.
