This document outlines a strategic plan for MNCEME with goals in four areas: 1) Expanding STEM pipeline programs like summer camps and competitions. 2) Developing a Knowledge Center to share best practices in advanced technologies and energy optimization. 3) Increasing sustainability through partnerships, shared programs, and industry engagement. 4) Creating a comprehensive engineering and technology center to develop workforce skills and support economic growth. The plan aims to increase access to STEM fields while promoting quality learning and innovation.

1. MNCEME
Strategic Plan
2010

2. MNCEME Strategy 2010
 The MNCEME goals can be thought of as contributing to the
following major MNSCU goals:
• Increase access and opportunity
• Promote and measure high quality learning
• Enhance economic competitiveness
• Innovative
 The MNCEME goals also interact with each other as shown in
the following diagram.

3. MNCEME Strategy 2010
(S)
Sustainability
A=S+K C=S+P
(K) (P)
Knowledge STEM
Center Pipeline
=D=P +K+S
B=K+P

4. P. STEM Pipeline
 Expand hands-on ZAP summer camp offerings. Provide
priority funding for summer camps.
• Action
• Develop RFP to fund ZAP camps for summer 2010.
• Hold ZAP-camp 2010 spring conference to share best practices, discuss
assessment, and build a community of ZAP camps.
 Expand Rube Goldberg and other competitions, building on
the existing successful events.
• Action
• Conduct Rube Goldberg competitions
• Display results at The Works

5. K. Knowledge Center
 Draw on expertise of advisory board members to identify and explore advanced
technologies.
• Action
• Identify advanced technologies such as ISO 50001, Cap and Trade, energy management,
welding, applications of traditional manufacturing processes in biotechnology, etc.
• Form steering committee to work with partner schools to identify their expertise in identified
areas of interest and establishing lead institution for that technology.
 Create energy optimization programming.
• Action
• Develop an energy management focus for the Center: ISO 50001, LEED, Energy Star
• Disseminate energy optimization best practices using knowledge from industry leaders.
• Partner with national organizations leading the way in energy issues: Georgia Tech in ISO
50001; Edison Welding Institute in Energy Use; etc.
 Effectively disseminate knowledge
• Action
• Feature topics in Maximize Minnesota events
• Highlight issues in Measure of Success Magazine

6. S. Sustainability
 Increase funding from joint agreements among partner
institutions: e.g. shared curricula, faculty, courses, credentials.
• Action
• Provide training in Purdue/SME ‘green manufacturing’ program for
faculty; offer to industry, share revenues.

7. B. Pipeline and Knowledge Center (P + K)
 Create forums and interactive sharing capabilities using web
tools selectively to reach targeted audiences: e.g. LinkedIn,
YouTube, FaceBook, Blog, Twitter, etc.
• Action
• Grow Twitter followers to 1,000 by July
• Create instructive STEM webinars for adults
 Create new RFP for funding projects around the energy
management theme.
• Action
• Deans and IAB to form task group to define RFP

8. A. Sustainability and Pipeline (S + P)
 Partner with other organizations promoting STEM visibility
and teacher education.
• Action
• Take active role in state initiative to form and implement a “Community of
Practices in STEM”
• Provide support and leadership for statewide STEM Initiative at the
Minnesota State Fair
 Ensure long-term success of Project Lead the Way across
Minnesota
• Action
• Seek collaborative funding for Program Director
• Advocate for longitudinal study by DOE to substantiate value of PLTW

9. C. Sustainability and Knowledge Center
(S + K)
 Engage industry with the Center. Provide opportunity for
manufacturers to participate in P/20 education.
• Action
• Provide brief, weekly electronic updates on Center activities.
• Structure the Industry Advisory Board to be a comprehensive
representation of Minnesota industry; instrumental in informing partner
schools and advising of industry needs. Add IAB members to fill gaps and
broaden industry participation in MNCEME.

10. D. Sustainability, Knowledge Center &
Stem Pipeline (P + K + S)
 Develop a plan with IAB, faculty and other stakeholders to create a
comprehensive knowledge-based engineering technology center.
• Action
• Form task group to transform MNCEME to have the greatest positive impact on job
creation in Minnesota by maximizing the deliverable expertise that exists among
MNCEME partners
• Merge engineering and manufacturing. Expand to a systems approach to the
continuum of new product development through engineering design to
manufacturing, supply chain and clusters.
• Shift focus to development of leadership and culture in manufacturing
organizations, systems thinking, developing competitive advantage through
identifying customers unarticulated needs.
• Focus on access, opportunity, high-quality learning, economic competitiveness and
innovation.