We are the only two-year college in the U.S. that offers a Certificate in Vacuum Technology. Several organizations have recognized how important it is to provide education in this enabling technology through a series of grant awards, matching funds, and an endowment.
The Vacuum and Thin Film Technology Department at Normandale:
Received a donation of nearly $500,000 from the estate of Philip and Doris Danielson, who both passed away in 2015
Received matching funds from the Minnesota Matching Funds Program
Received $1,812,222 from the National Science Foundation
This work was make possible with grants from the National Science Foundation DUE #1400408 and (DUE # 1700624) from the Advanced Technology Education program.
2014 - 2018: ReVAMP: Revising Vacuum technology, an Advanced Manufacturing Program (DUE # 1400408) (H2)
Outcomes: Update course content and assemble the infrastructure (telepresence classroom; Vacuum Education Training systems) to deliver hands-on vacuum technology education in real time across the country.
2017 - 2021: Distance Education and Learning In Vacuum technology for Employment Readiness (DELIVER) (DUE # 1700624) (H2)
Outcomes: Scaling up the number of business and academic partners who enroll their employees and students.
Project Outcomes Report: TBD