Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies

Through this new initiative, the Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR) and the newly established Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships(TIP)seek tosupport experiential learning opportunitiesfor individualsfromdiverseprofessional and educationalbackgroundsthat willincrease access to, and interest in, career pathways inemerging technologyfields (e.g.,advanced manufacturing, advanced wireless, artificial intelligence, biotechnology,quantum information science,semiconductors, and microelectronics). As NSF seeks to support the development of technologies in such fields, similar support will be needed to foster and grow a diverse science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce to contribute to such innovation. Largescalesocietal challenges like climate change and clean energy also requireaSTEMworkforcethatbringsvaried perspectives and expertise to further accelerate the translation of science and engineering discoveries into large-scale solutions. Moreover, as current and new emerging technologies continue to evolve, unforeseen issues around security, safety and privacy will impact thepreparationof the workforce.Emerging technologiesare also dynamicandrapidly changing, with career entry and advancement often requiring "learning-by-doing" experience, even for those with some STEM education.Therefore, NSF recognizes that a competitiveemerging technology workforcemust includeindividualsfrom traditional and nontraditional education pathways as well as those individuals who may have stopped out of traditional educational pathways. The ExLENT program willsupportinclusiveexperiential learningopportunitiesdesigned toprovide cohorts of diverse learnerswiththe crucial skills needed to succeed inemerging technologyfieldsand prepare themto enterthe workforce ready to solve our Nationsmost pressing scientific and societal challenges.Furthermore, theExLENTprogram will directly support NSFsprioritytobuild adiverse workforce1inemerging technologiesto assurethe Nations competitiveness in STEM. Key goals of the program are to (1) expand access to career-enhancing experientiallearning opportunitiesfor a broader, more diverse population, including adult learners interested in re-skilling and/or upskilling (e.g., those who face or who have faced significant barriers to accessing a formal STEM education);(2)promotecross sectorpartnershipsbetweenorganizationsinemerging technologyfields and those with expertise in workforce development;and (3) develop a workforce aligned with regional economies based onemergingtechnologiesacross the Nation, in alignment with the mission of the TIP Directorate.