ASCC Micro-Credentials

ASCC Micro-Credentials

Workforce Development

Micro-Credentials

Micro-credentials are digital badges that confirm your competency in a particular skill or set of skills. They confirm to employers, hiring managers, or recruiters that you are proficient in the listed skills and have demonstrated those skills in a real-world professional environment like the ASCC. The University of Maine System created a framework for micro-credentials to maintain standards of achievement and ensure the value of the micro-credentials to learners and potential employers.

In addition to gaining industry-specific skills, ASCC micro-credentials include requirements for hours worked and career skill development. This shows employers that learners have the real-world work experience and skills to be effective employees from their first day on the job.

Micro-Credential Pathways

Micro-Credential Pathways

What are UMS micro-credential pathways?

As you progress along your micro-credential path you will receive milestone badges:

Level 1 Badge

Level 2 Badge

Level 2 Badge

University of Maine System Micro-credential

Each University of Maine System micro-credential is designed to take students from the basic understanding of a topic through the application of skills in a real-world professional work setting.

Who is eligible to register?

  • Enrolled UMaine Undergraduate, Graduate Students (degree/certificate programs)
  • Youth (13-17 years old, Early College): Windstorm Challenge
  • Some micro-credentials may be available to UMS faculty, staff, and/or administrators. See the UMaine ASCC Micro-Credential website for more information.

To register, contact Amanda Collamore, Education & Outreach Manager amanda.collamore@maine.edu

Micro-Credentials

Overview:

The learner has the knowledge and skills, earned through 600 hours of work-experience, contributing to the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) research operations by assisting the Large-Scale Additive Manufacturing (AM) team with 3D printing tasks.

The learner:

  • Earned Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 ASCC Large Additive Manufacturing Operations badges.
  • Applied knowledge of large-scale 3D printer operations, troubleshooting, safety, and maintenance.
  • Contributed to engineering research projects at the ASCC.
  • Communicated about their research experiences to others.
  • Enhanced their Career Readiness Competencies.

Overview:

The learner completed 600 hours of work experience and contributed to the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) research operations by managing the daily operations of the Small Scale 3D Print Lab as a Printer Operator. Printer Operator responsibilities included operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting problems with the 3D printers; management of the printer queueing system; research contributions to sponsored programs; and consultations with design staff and students.

The learner:

  • Earned Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 Small Scale 3D Printer Operator badges.
  • Applied knowledge of 3D printer operations, troubleshooting, safety, and maintenance.
  • Applied knowledge of design principles for additive manufacturing.
  • Contributed to engineering research projects at the ASCC.
  • Communicated about their research experiences to others.
  • Enhanced their Career Readiness Competencies.

Overview:

The learner was part of a team that competed in the Matthew R. Simmons Windstorm Challenge hosted by the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures & Composites Center (ASCC). The Windstorm Challenge introduced this learner to the engineering design process using the development of offshore wind renewable energy technology.

The learner:

  • Earned Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 Windstorm Challenge badges.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of science and engineering principles related to offshore wind and renewable energy
  • Worked collaboratively in a team environment
  • Used the engineering design process to develop a creative solution to an engineering problem
  • Communicated their ideas to others
  • Reflected on their learning experience.

Overview:

The learner has the knowledge and skills earned through 600 hours of work experience, to contribute to the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) research operations by assisting the Offshore Wind Team with floating structure model testing tasks in the Wind/Wave Basin (W2).

The learner:

  • Earned Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 Wind/Wave Model Testing badges.
  • Applied knowledge of Wind/Wave Basin operations and testing procedures.
  • Contributed to engineering research projects at the ASCC.
  • Communicated about their research experiences to others.
  • Enhanced their Career Readiness Competencies.

Micro-Badges

Overview:

This badge recognizes the learner’s knowledge of polymer manufacturing processes through the completion of the Polymer Manufacturing Processes in-person short course or online modules offered by the Advanced Structures & Composites Center (ASCC) and the Maine College of Engineering and Computing (MCEC). The learner can describe the equipment and steps in the process for each of the following polymer manufacturing techniques: extrusion, injection molding, compression molding, additive manufacturing, and tape layup.

The learner:

  • Polymer manufacturing equipment and processes including: extrusion, injection molding, compression molding, additive manufacturing, and tape layup of fiber-reinforced polymers.
  • The advantages and disadvantages of each polymer manufacturing process.

Overview:

This badge recognizes the learner’s application of design principles for additive manufacturing at the Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC). The learner earned the Application Engineer Certification through Ultimaker Academy and created a successful 3D-printed object.

The learner:

  • Earned the Application Engineer Certification through Ultimaker Academy and created a 3D printable design.
  • Completed online course modules totaling 6 hours of course content and passed the two levels of the Application Engineer Certification.
  • Gained knowledge in 3D printing material selection, design considerations, slicing software, and printer operations.
  • Demonstrated competency by submitting a design that was successfully printed by the ASCC 3D printing lab.

Overview:

This badge recognizes the learner’s knowledge of offshore wind energy technology through completion of a short course sponsored by the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) and the Maine College of Engineering and Computing (MCEC). The course focuses on floating offshore wind technology developed at the ASCC and delivers a succinct introduction to floating offshore wind technology accessible to a general audience.

The learner:

  • Engineering principles and key components of offshore wind farms
  • Wind turbine parts and design considerations
  • Design of floating hulls or platforms to support offshore wind turbines
  • Environmental impacts of offshore wind farms
  • Stakeholder engagement and conflicts in offshore wind projects
  • Commercialization of floating offshore wind and future technologies

Overview:

This badge recognizes the learner’s knowledge of polymer materials through completion of the Polymer Structures & Properties in-person short course or online modules offered by the Advanced Structures & Composites Center (ASCC) and the Maine College of Engineering and Computing (MCEC). Learners can identify different classifications and structures of polymers, define thermal properties and the techniques used to gather thermal property data, and describe the relationship between polymer structures and properties.

The learner:

  • Polymer classifications including thermoplastics, thermosets, copolymers, and blends
  • The effect of additives on polymer composition and structure
  • The effect of fiber reinforcement on properties
  • Thermal and physical properties of polymer materials
  • Techniques used in thermal characterization of polymer materials.

Overview:

This badge acknowledges that learners successfully completed the online Measurement Systems course and demonstrated correctly using hand-held measurement tools and basic data analysis. The learner has knowledge of measurement units, tools, basic principles of tool selection, tool calibration and tolerance, measurement accuracy and precision, and critical reading of ASTM standards. Learners also successfully demonstrated competency in using a digital caliper and digital micrometer to collect and record data and used spreadsheet software to compile and analyze raw data.

The learner:

  • Achieved a score of 80% or greater on the Measurement Systems online course test.
  • Submitted a video or was directly observed by ASCC staff correctly collecting data with both a digital caliper and a digital micrometer.
  • Submitted an error-free data analysis spreadsheet containing raw measurement data and calculated averages, neatly formatted with proper labels and units
  • The instructor signed a Measurement Tool Use & Data Analysis Rubric indicating that all the criteria were met.

Overview:

This badge recognizes the learner’s ability to work safely and securely at the Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) at the University of Maine. This badge earner demonstrated knowledge of general safety practices related to electricity, chemicals, hazards, ladders, and ergonomics. The earner also demonstrated familiarity with ASCC-specific laboratory safety planning, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), emergency actions, reporting safety incidences or near misses, and the process for obtaining further equipment-specific training.

The learner:

  • Export Compliance
  • Operational Security (OPSEC)
  • iWatch
  • Anti-Terrorism
  • General ASCC Safety Trainings

Overview:

This badge recognizes the learner’s knowledge of career skills essential for success in the Advanced Structures and Composites Center’s (ASCC) professional work environment. The learner was introduced to the skills for career success defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Career Readiness Competencies which are: self-development, communication, critical thinking, equity and inclusion, leadership, professionalism, teamwork, and technology.

The learner:

  • Completed the online self-paced Career Essentials course modules
  • Reflected on their skill competencies.
  • Met with their supervisor to review their ASCC Student Employee Competency Self-Reflection

Overview:

This badge recognizes the learner’s knowledge of textile materials through the completion of the Introduction to Textiles short course offered by the Advanced Structures & Composites Center (ASCC). The learner can define common textile terminology, identify textile forms from physical samples, and select textiles for specific applications based on their properties.

The learner:

  • Common terminology describing textile materials
  • Woven, braided, knit, and non-woven fabric forms
  • Natural fiber yarns and rovings
  • Synthetic fiber filaments and rovings
  • Textile manufacturing processes

Contact:

Amanda Collamore

TIDC Education & Outreach Manager
amanda.collamore@maine.edu