The 2025 ATE Conference will offer pre-conference programming on Wednesday, October 29, which includes Workshops and Learning Labs. The Learning Labs are open to all attendees and do not require advance registration. The Pre-Conference Workshops listed below do require advance registration.
Pre-Conference Workshops will be held on the morning of Wednesday, October 29. Workshop A and Workshop D are offered complimentary, but advance registration is required.
Workshop A: Getting Started for New Grantees*
8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Registration Fee: Complimentary; but advance registration required. Breakfast is provided.
*New ATE grantees are strongly encouraged to sign-up to attend this workshop to gain insight into managing their ATE awards.
This workshop is recommended for all principal investigators, co-principal investigators, and other team members involved in newly awarded projects and centers in FY25. Others who may find the workshop useful include new awardees in FY24 and other project personnel from prior years who have recently become involved in ATE projects and centers. The goal of this workshop is to make new grantees aware of the reporting and financial requirements of their ATE grant and to connect them with other ATE projects and centers that can help them successfully manage, evaluate, and report on their projects. Participants will have the opportunity to hear from individuals representing Mentor-Connect, ATE Central, EvaluATE, and the National Science Foundation and to learn about the various resources they provide through this workshop. Participants will be provided access to a resource packet and are encouraged to bring questions about the management of their projects for discussion.
Workshop B: ATE Project Management Fundamentals for Experienced PIs
Wednesday, October 29
9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Registration Fee: $50
Workshop C: Telling the Story of Your ATE Project – Communicating Impact with Purpose
Wednesday, October 29
9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Registration Fee: $50
Whether you are new to ATE or an experienced PI, effectively communicating your project’s impact is essential for gaining support, interest, and long-term sustainability. In this interactive session led by EvaluATE, participants will learn how to customize messages for different audiences, recognize which outcomes matter most to various groups, and implement practical strategies for sharing their project’s story clearly and purposefully. You will leave equipped with new ideas, useful tools, and a clearer plan for transforming your project data into impactful communication.
Workshop D: Powering the Future – National Partnerships Advancing CHIPS Workforce Development [FULL]
Wednesday, October 29
9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Registration Fee: Complimentary
This workshop will bring together key national initiatives supporting the CHIPS and Science Act to highlight emerging opportunities for community colleges in advanced manufacturing and microelectronics. Representatives from the SMART Institute, National Network for Microelectronics Education (NNME), Natcast, and MNT-EC (Micro Nano Technology Education Center) will share how their programs align with national workforce development goals and how community colleges can actively participate. Attendees will learn about funding pathways, partnership models, curriculum development resources, and student engagement strategies across these networks. This collaborative session will foster new connections and spark ideas for integrating cutting-edge technologies and national priorities into ATE projects and programs.