University of Toledo receives National Science Foundation grant for Experiential Learning Opportunities in Mechatronics project

The University of Toledo has received a grant from the National Science Foundation in the amount of almost $1 million to partner up with Toledo Public Schools, Owens Community College, and Dana Inc. The project, called Experiential Learning Opportunities in Mechatronics, will create an after school mechatronics club for middle and high schoolers in Toledo Public Schools and introduce students to electric vehicle technology.

According to an article on the University of Toledo’s website, Dr. Constance Schall, who serves as the interim vice president for research at the University of Toledo, shared her gratitude for the National Science Foundation grant and the impact it will have, saying, “We’re grateful that the National Science Foundation is supporting this impactful program. The collaboration between Dana, Owens Community College, Toledo Public Schools and UToledo will benefit young students and current workers for careers in emerging technologies. By providing mentorship and opportunities for advanced education for participants, this collaboration will more broadly support the exciting and rapidly growing electric vehicle industry in northwest Ohio.”

Dr. Mohammad Elahinia is the lead investigator on the project, heading up the team of co-principal investigators Dr. Samir Hefzy, Dr. Jared Oluoch, Dr. Ted Evans, and Bryan Bosch. Dr. Elahinia is the interim dean of the College of Engineering and a professor in the Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering. 

Of the project, Dr. Elahinia said, “The University of Toledo’s College of Engineering prides itself on experiential learning, and we’re excited to extend this opportunity to area middle and high school students thanks to funding from the National Science Foundation. By establishing hands-on engineers clubs at our area’s schools, we aim to introduce students to exciting technologies and equip them with the confidence and skills they need to pursue exciting careers in artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, electric mobility, environmental engineering, glass engineering and nuclear engineering, which are in high demand in northwest Ohio.”

The mechatronics club at Toledo Public Schools will help students learn and engage in hands-on activities related to electric vehicles and advanced manufacturing. There will be a competition, planned to occur annually, that will further these skills. Students who take part in the club will receive benefits such as mentoring from Dana Inc engineers, stackable mechatronics certificates from Owens Community College that can easily turn into an associate degree with the addition of part-time industry employment, and an industry-standard programmable logic controller.

Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur remarked on the NSF grant, saying, “This significant NSF award will play a crucial role in shaping the future of our workforce in Northwest Ohio. By engaging our youth in cutting-edge education and providing them with practical skills and industry exposure, we are not only fostering their career readiness but also driving the economic revitalization of our region.”

The grant comes via the National Science Foundation’s Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) program, which has provided nearly $30 million in funding for the expansion of STEM learning opportunities.

For more information about the University of Toledo, visit the school’s website.