A Bismarck State College team of Process Plant Technology students has qualified to compete with teams from seven other colleges in a troubleshooting competition funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Sophomores Jon Reis of Bismarck, Jared Reinisch of Mandan, and Courtney Hausauer of Mercer earned a place at the second annual National Simulation Troubleshooting "Shootout" May 11 at Kilgore College in Kilgore, Texas. This marks the second consecutive year that BSC process technology students have qualified.
"It's a chance for them to fine tune troubleshooting and math skills and build relationships with other students," said Kyren Miller, BSC National Energy Center of Excellence (NECE) associate professor who coached the team.
The qualifying round on April 9 set the BSC team against students from 17 process technology colleges across the country. All students took a written test proctored at their various colleges. Teams evaluated problem scenarios using their knowledge of process troubleshooting methods and tools. The national test will use computerized scenarios.
"We have a great opportunity to represent BSC," said Courtney Hausauer, whose preparation has given her an edge in classes. "It looks great when we go on interviews, and I've already had people ask me about it. Hopefully, we can go further."
The scenario exercises are part of an open source curriculum under development by a consortium that requested funding from the NSF Advanced Technical Education granting program. The consortium is engaged in year two of the three-year grant titled "Developing Students' Troubleshooting Skills in Energy Programs."
BSC is one of the seven colleges involved in the Process Troubleshooting Skills in Energy (PTSE) consortium along with several process industry companies. Through the NSF-ATE grant, a set of troubleshooting learning materials is underway, including equipment and process system modules, evaluation instruments, hands-on activities and other resources. College instructors will pilot test these materials in their classrooms.
BSC's consortium representative is Dan Schmidt, a NECE program manager. Other participating colleges are Northern Oklahoma College, Tonkawa, Okla.; South Central Louisiana Technical College, Morgan City, La.; ITI Technical College, Baton Rouge, La.; Kilgore College, Kilgore, Texas; Kenai Peninsula College, Anchorage, Alaska; and University of Alaska, Anchorage and Fairbanks campuses.
About Bismarck State College
Bismarck State College, an innovative community college in Bismarck, N.D., offers high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities.
Sophomores Jon Reis of Bismarck, Jared Reinisch of Mandan, and Courtney Hausauer of Mercer earned a place at the second annual National Simulation Troubleshooting "Shootout" May 11 at Kilgore College in Kilgore, Texas. This marks the second consecutive year that BSC process technology students have qualified.
"It's a chance for them to fine tune troubleshooting and math skills and build relationships with other students," said Kyren Miller, BSC National Energy Center of Excellence (NECE) associate professor who coached the team.
The qualifying round on April 9 set the BSC team against students from 17 process technology colleges across the country. All students took a written test proctored at their various colleges. Teams evaluated problem scenarios using their knowledge of process troubleshooting methods and tools. The national test will use computerized scenarios.
"We have a great opportunity to represent BSC," said Courtney Hausauer, whose preparation has given her an edge in classes. "It looks great when we go on interviews, and I've already had people ask me about it. Hopefully, we can go further."
The scenario exercises are part of an open source curriculum under development by a consortium that requested funding from the NSF Advanced Technical Education granting program. The consortium is engaged in year two of the three-year grant titled "Developing Students' Troubleshooting Skills in Energy Programs."
BSC is one of the seven colleges involved in the Process Troubleshooting Skills in Energy (PTSE) consortium along with several process industry companies. Through the NSF-ATE grant, a set of troubleshooting learning materials is underway, including equipment and process system modules, evaluation instruments, hands-on activities and other resources. College instructors will pilot test these materials in their classrooms.
BSC's consortium representative is Dan Schmidt, a NECE program manager. Other participating colleges are Northern Oklahoma College, Tonkawa, Okla.; South Central Louisiana Technical College, Morgan City, La.; ITI Technical College, Baton Rouge, La.; Kilgore College, Kilgore, Texas; Kenai Peninsula College, Anchorage, Alaska; and University of Alaska, Anchorage and Fairbanks campuses.
About Bismarck State College
Bismarck State College, an innovative community college in Bismarck, N.D., offers high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities.