What If The Engineer Was Also The Designer?

PSC advanced technical education — leading the way to remaking Silicon Valley in the Florida Panhandle

Pensacola State College’s first National Science Foundation, Advanced Technical Education grant begins summer 2026 with the recruitment of electrical and mechanical engineering students to join our first cohort. Start here to learn if this opportunity is right for you.

A Year-Long Strategic Sequencing

Each semester scaffolds experience and knowledge-base

As Hands-On As It Gets

Optimizing the development of precision systems by way of introducing design principles, creative problem-solving, and entrepreneurial thinking to the production pipeline

A Paid Co-Op

Internship with regional industry partners

The Pathway

First of its kind program redefining the practice of precision engineering

A cutting edge project aimed to develop future-proof skillsets and cognitive approaches to problem-solving that we believe will be widely adopted in the coming decades across a variety of applicable industries.

Term 1 of 4 — Summer

Design + Creative Thinking

A short workshop introducing engineering students to the ways artists and designers think

Six weeks. Two hours per session. Total: 12 hours of in-class instruction.

  1. Module 01

    Observational Skills Development

  2. Module 02

    Design and Styles Introduction

  3. Module 03

    Color Style and Typography

  4. Module 04

    Brand Designing

  5. Module 05

    Iterative Design and Experimentation

2D Graphical Arts Visualization Design and 3D Product Design Thinking

Skill Component

Developing a basic visual vocabulary from 2D & 3D design principles as well as applying innovative thinking to the task of problem-solving in the realm of product development.

Term 2 of 4 — Fall

Engineering + Microsystems

Connecting micro mechanical and microelectronics skills modules to specific and granular concepts and principles

The microelectronics skills module connects to specific and granular electronic concepts and principles. The micro mechanical skills module connects to specific and granular mechanical concepts and principles. The project links electronic engineering spaces with mechanical engineering spaces, providing for final systems integration and testing.

This pathway supports two existing AS degree pathways: Electronics Engineering Technology, and Engineering Technology in Mechanical Design and Fabrication.

Micromechanical Skills

Skill Component

Education content on micro mechanical concepts and principles, exposure to designs, manufacturing of micromechanical elements and assembly.

Microelectronics Skills

Skill Component

Education content on microelectronic concepts and principles, exposure to designs, manufacturing of microelectronic and advanced packaging elements and assembly.

Term 3 of 4 — Spring

Build A Working Timepiece

Designing, troubleshooting, and prototyping a common precision (time) instrument

The three-course pathway leads students in designing, troubleshooting, and prototyping a common precision (time) instrument that will meet industry needs for developing precision systems skills and competencies. Throughout the STEAM Pathway, an emphasis is placed on advanced electronics packaging concepts and on 3D product design.

The use case of the wearable smart timepiece provides a ubiquitous personalized object for students, with potential to expand recruitment, enhance diversity, and promote creative design thinking.

Microfabrication and Advanced Manufacturing using Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing Systems

Skill Component

Materials and hands-on practice on automated and robotic systems for prototyping and manufacturing of micromechanical, microelectronics and advanced packaged systems and assembly.

Assembly and Test Skills

Skill Component

Education content and hands-on activity on micromechanical, electromechanical, and microelectronic test and assembly.

Term 4 of 4 — Co-Op

A Foot In The Industry's Door

A Co-Op course targeting placement with regional industry partners

The project targets the placement of 6 STEAM-trained cohorts with Industry partner Co-Op cooperative education experiences. Students must meet academic and departmental requirements to qualify for Co-Op course placement. Students are assigned a Faculty Advisor who, with the Co-op staff, monitors student progress. The Co-Op program offers academic and vocational credit for each term worked.

The proposal supports the technical topic area of miniaturization and light-weighting of precision systems found in high-value and high-paying industries of defense, diagnostics, and device wearables, and aerospace.

Product Entrepreneurship

Skill Component

Content for technician education and experiences in product thinking, fabrications, and participation in interdisciplinary teams to tackle engineering problems around general-purpose microelectromechanical systems and engineering innovation concepts.

Regional Industry Partners

Industry partners named in the proposal by sector

Aerospace Tech

ST Engineering

Medical Tech

Actigraph

Biotech

Cytiva

Space Tech

Guided Particle Systems

Custom Machining

2020 Manufacturing

Enterprise Product MFG.

Katybar

Precision Biotech

emp BIOTECH GMBH

Military Operations

Naval Air Station Pensacola

Program Details

At A Glance

Cohort #1 begins
Summer 2026
Course sequence
Three Special Topics courses + one Co-Op course
Course IDs
EET1931, ETI1931L, EET2949 or ETI2947, and the Graphics Design Education Workshop
Degree pathways
AS in Electronics Engineering Technology  ·  AS in Engineering Technology in Mechanical Design and Fabrication
Cohort target
20 students enrolled across Special Topics and Co-Op
Industry placements
6 Co-Op placements targeted with industry partners
Funding
Pensacola State College’s first NSF Advanced Technological Education grant
Region
Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, Northwest Florida

Discover What Happens When The Engineer Is Also the Designer

Cohort #1 begins Summer 2026.

Apply at Pensacola State
View Course Requirements
Talk To A PSC Advisor