Metrology Learning & Development

The NCSLI annual conference is coming up quickly.  Committee agendas are/will be posted here.

Date, Time, Committee, Location (Meeting Room) 

Sunday August, 3;  4:00 PM - 6:00 PM; 162 L&D Financial Resources; Oceanic 6

Monday August, 4;  4:15 PM - 6:00 PM; 163 Workplace & Professional Development; Europe 9 

Tuesday August, 5;  4:15 PM - 6:00 PM; 164 Education Liaison & Outreach; N.H. E4

Wednesday August, 6;  4:15 PM - 6:00 PM; 161 Training Resources; N.H. E1

Thursday August, 7;  4:00 PM - 6:00 PM; 160 L&D Strategic Planning;  Europe 4

Highlights of Agendas:160 Agenda:This meeting will be a strategic planning session. We will consider the strategic roadmapping effort that began in 2005, the framework we have been working to, and possible modifications and updates. We will conduct an analysis of the various efforts, consider how we can measure the impact of our efforts, and create the initial input to the Learning and Development component of the NCSLI 2009 Strategic Plan. Participants should be familiar with background of our current efforts through participation on one of the 160 committees or by reading the Learning and Development resources on the NCSLI website http://www.ncsli.org or the blog at http://www.metrologytraining.org.

(1) Update on Regional Training Events efforts (events planned, instructor registrations, etc.), followed by discussions of how to determine the location and topic of regional training events.

(2) Training Aids Library: Report on which training resources are in high demand, followed by discussions on what additions/changes should be make to the NCSLI library content in the coming year.

Participation of potential training providers, training event coordinators, and anyone interested in using NCSLI’s training resources are encouraged to attend.

162, Financial Resources Agenda:

Committee will discuss ideas related to a raffle to generate funds (old business) and then will discuss ideas related to pursuing funding from 1) NSF grants by partnering with universities and 2) from Foundations to support our 2008 and 2009 projects.

162 Committee Agenda (2008)

163, Workplace and Professional Development Agenda:

Committee 163 will focus on exchanging ideas relevant to employee training, thoughts on how to retain valuable employees, and the methods employed by various companies to implement an employee succession plan. We are currently preparing an RP on “Laboratory Workforce Planning” that is intended to provide practical guidance on how to implement sections of 17025 related to training and personnel issues. This RP is a logical follow-on to our recently published RP 17 “Documenting Metrology Education, Training, and On-the-Job Training”. We plan to have a “draft” RP available for committee review and comments at our committee meeting at NCSLI 2008.

163 Committee Agenda (2008)

The US Dept. of Labor rejects petition to recognize Metrology job descriptions in its proposed 2010 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) System

We know that Metrology is the bedrock upon which all U.S. commerce and manufacturing is built and that persons engaged in metrology / calibration activities provide services vital to the

 “The three occupations that you proposed, which I believe were Metrologist, calibration technician, and calibration engineer, were not accepted at the workgroup level, and the SOC Policy Committee accepted the workgroup’s decision.  This was in part because of concerns that Census and BLS would not be able to collect and report data on those occupations.”

Proposed 2010 SOC changes may be found at: http://www.bls.gov/soc/soc_structure_2010.pdf.

Note: The SOC is updated once every 10 years. The proposed changes to the 2010 SOC has a comment period of May 23 thru July 21, 2008. We need your help to convince the U.S. Dept. of Labor that Metrology job descriptions should be included in the 2010 SOC.

Please e-mail your comments to:  soc@omb.eop.gov with the subject line: 2010 SOC

Your comments should include the logic and reasoning as to why the SOC should include Metrology job descriptions because this is the focus of SOC administrators when evaluating comments. Some compelling arguments for including Metrology job descriptions in the SOC are:

“There are no existing standard occupational classifications that describe what tasks Metrology / Calibration practitioners perform.“

“Searching the SOC for ‘Calibration’ and ‘Metrology’ finds no standard occupational classifications. Searching the SOC for ‘Calibrate’ finds two unrelated standard occupational classifications that erroneously use the word ‘calibrate’ to describe ‘alignments’ they perform.“

“Metrology / Calibration practitioners provide services critical to the

“There are thousands of people in the

You may also contact Katherine K. Wallman, Chief Statistician, Office of Management and Budget, 10201 New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503, telephone number: (202) 395-3093, fax number: (202) 395-7245.

It is critical that the SOC hears from you! Please send this e-mail to all interested parties and encourage both those in the metrology profession and those familiar with the profession to e-mail the SOC.

We can make a difference if we all get involved!

Sincerely,

Christopher L. Grachanen
Secretary - Measurement Quality Division
chris.grachanen@hp.com

NIST hosted the 3rd annual meeting of the International Committee for Education on Standardization on February 21 and 22, 2008.  NCSLI Education Liaison & Outreach efforts were shared as a part of the Poster Session by Elizabeth Gentry and Georgia Harris. 

The speakers attended from all over the world - and sessions were held to highlight efforts in North America, South America, Asia and Europe.  One of the best summary presentations was from the Korean Standards Association (presented by Mr. Donggeun Choi) where they have conducted an international survey of “Standards Education”, with summaries categorized by formal education (academia) and professional education (continuing education/training).  They have identified schools offering integrated standards education in their courses, specific standardization courses, and entire degree programs on standardization.  The analysis also includes a summary and evaluation of the “case studies” used in these various programs.

Representatives gave presentations from a number of standards developing organizations, government agencies as well as professional organizations, universities, and related organizations including (but not necessarily complete):

• ANSI, ASTM, SCC, ABNT, KSA, ISO, IEC, ITU
• IEEE, ASEE, SES
• SIM, EURAS, APEC
• NIST, OAS, DOD, NSF,
• Purdue, Penn State, Catholic University of America, China Jiliang University (winner of an ISO Award for Higher Education in Standardization),  Osaka Institute of Technology, Helmut Schmidt University, RSM Erasmus University

Of interest to the metrology community:  the curriculum for the China Jiliang University (the 2007 ISO Award winner) program includes courses on metrology and measurement uncertainty.  Professor Son Mingshun was at the conference and presented information about their campus and program. They have a degree program in: “Measurement Technology & Instrumentation” as a part of their engineering program as well.

Some ideas for implementation in NCSLI?

1. Continue liaison with organizations doing active liaison and outreach to the academic community (for metric, quality, standardization, and measurement sciences)
2. Find ways to get academia to the “NCSLI Table” (active in learning and development committee efforts) to pursue mutual goals and objectives.
3. Complete an international curriculum review of academia for metrology - as it is integrated into other courses, individual courses and degree programs.  Gather, share, and develop additional case studies, lecture materials, and other classroom activities.

NOTE:   We have extra posters available for region/section meetings that highlights current projects and status for the Outreach Committee.  Contact any of the NCSLI learning & development committee chairs to borrow a poster for your meeting. 

Get more information about ICES here: http://www.standards-education.org/

Metrology Outreach Paper I’ve attached a paper that has been submitted for publication at the ASEE conference this summer. 

Georgia

A major effort is underway to help increase the awareness of the science of weights & measures or metrology as we know it. NCSLI and the 164.1 Metrology Education & Training Outreach committee has set the following goals:

1.  Help advertise and promote Metrology Education & Training programs;
2.  Support the expansion, enhancement, and development of Metrology Education & Training programs;
3.  Develop a ‘clearing house’ of Metrology & Education resources; and
4.  Provide guidance and support for the donation of test equipment to Metrology Education & Training programs in Universities and Colleges

To assist in that effort we will be holding our next meeting at Central Georgia Technical College.  Equipment vendors and service providers interested in display space and helping to defray catering costs are encouraged to contact me. Those having something they desire to present that relates to metrology education & training that would be of interest to the NCSLI members, potential member or students at Central Georgia Technical College please send me the subject and point of contact information.

 As indicated below, the focus of this gathering will be to help raise awareness of the science of weights & measures and the opportunities for training and employment in the metrology field.

I request the widest dissemination of this information since it is not just the NCSLI membership that we hope to reach.

The agenda is not complete but the following is provided for scheduling:

Date:           December 3rd 2007
Time:           8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Registration begins at 8 am)
Location:       Central Georgia Technical College
                3300 Macon Tech Drive
                Macon, GA 31206

Sponsors, attendees and interested presenters please RSVP to ronald.kirstatter@usmc.mil or call (229)639-6635 before November 27th so arrangements can be made for seating and lunch.

Sponsors please contact modom@centralgatech.edu or call (478)757-3550 with your display space requirements.

Look forward to hearing from all and seeing everyone on December 3rd.

Ron Kirstatter
Quality Assurance Manager
Marine Corps METCAL Quality Assurance Program
MSgt USMC Ret.

MAINTENANCE CENTER
ATTN RON KIRSTATTER CODE 886
MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS COMMAND
814 RADFORD BLVD STE 20325
ALBANY GA 31704-0325

Office (229) 639-6635, Fax 6172
DSN - 567
Blackberry (571)-237-1292

The deadline for the 2008 Abstract Submission is January 11th, 2008.  Contact gharris@nist.gov if you have an idea about a paper and may not meet the deadline.  Submit abstracts here:

http://www.ncsli.org/conference/abstract/index.cfm/fuseaction/home.dsp_abstract_start.cfm We are looking for speakers and additional topics for 2008 Education & Training sessions at NCSLI.

Key thematic areas we’ve identified for 2008 sessions are the following:

• International Education &Training
• NCSLI Education Liaison Outreach 
• Training & Succession Plans
• Workplace Development Issues
• Metrology Scholarships
• New NCSLI E&T Efforts
• Student Metrology Projects
• Metrology Certification

If you have additional ideas, or want to discuss a title and topic, or want some feedback on a draft, please feel free to contact me or one of the committee chairs.  If you would confirm your plans to submit an abstract, I will include you on the draft list so that we can plan for it when reviewing abstracts.

Thank you for supporting NCSLI Education & Training Efforts!

Regards,
Georgia

A “Regional Training” Guideline was approved at the October 2007 Board of Director’s meeting.  Be on the look out for new regional training events in 2008!

We need to review and revise charters and Admin Guidelines for the proposed changes on this site.

This would be a good agenda item to discuss in St. Paul.

 GH

I updated all of the pages here to get ready for the conference and the 2008 LRP.  Please review them and provide your comments.  I will talk with committee chairs by phone before the conference and/or at the conference.  Please feel free to share these pages with your committees and have the 2008 LRP be a subject of discussion on your agendas. 

Georgia

Top projects for the 164.1 committee in 2008

1. Outreach Collaboration (Liaison) Project

* Assign a task group to learn about the College-level AP programs, infiltrate and assure metrology is included in the physics B & C, Statistics, Environmental Science and Chemistry, Biology existing programs. Can a new Physics Metrology program be developed an implemented. (Contact Dr. Leigh Abts at the Univ. of MD College of Education)

* Assign a task group to study the NSF grant program and ensure metrology is being included in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) learning programs. www.nsf.gov

* Assign a task group to work with the ASEE (American Society for Engineering Education) www.asee.org

* Assign a task group to learn more about the STEP (The Science and Technology Education Partnership) in Riverside, CA and the efforts made with the Navy in the VA area. Can this concept be spread to more areas, what can 164 do to facilitate this? www.myscienceeducation.com/

* Assign a task group to work with the IEEE outreach group. www.ieee.org

* Assign a task group to work with the ISA outreach group (contact Mike Suraci) www.isa.org

2. Section Coordinator Training:

Keep this a continuous improvement project. The committee will keep in touch with coordinators and offer assistance and training as needed. Continue to develop the DVD, presentations and handout materials to assist the coordinators in their outreach efforts.

3. Complete the DVD Project

4. Teacher Sabbaticals (summer development opportunities) Arrange more opportunities in multiple locations

5. Improve internship awareness with metrology organizations and students.