Month: December 2025

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Lancaster County STEM Alliance Honors Outstanding Pre-Service Teacher

The Lancaster County STEM Alliance held its annual Excellence in Education Reception & Awards Ceremony on Nov. 7 at Millersville University, bringing together educators, leaders and students to recognize outstanding impact in local schools. The event highlighted the work of teachers across Lancaster County and celebrated the next generation of educators preparing to enter the field.
Rebecca Hahn received the Outstanding Pre-Service Teacher Award.
Rebecca Hahn received the Outstanding Pre-Service Teacher Award.

Current Millersville technology and engineering education major Rebecca Hahn received the Outstanding Pre-Service Teacher Award for her hands-on, instructional work at Warwick Middle School. Hahn designed projects in which students built pneumatic systems for VEX robots, explored electrical circuits and applied coding and problem-solving skills to real-world challenges. Hahn says, “Receiving the Outstanding Pre-Service Teacher Award is incredibly meaningful to me. Personally, it reaffirms that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.”

She believes that her goal as an educator is not only to teach future engineers but also to help every student find joy in learning. She adds, “Hands-on, inquiry-based learning allows students to take ownership of their work, make mistakes and figure things out in real time. It sparks curiosity and confidence, and it shows students that education isn’t just about getting the right answer – it’s about the process of discovering how things work and why.”

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Anderson, Ari. (2025, December 8). MU Alum, Student Honored with Lancaster STEM Alliance Awards. Millersville News. blogs.millersville.edu/news/2025/12/08/mu-alum-student-honored-with-lancaster-stem-alliance-awards

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Robotic WorX Secures First Commercial Sponsor

System Chancellor Fiorentino visited the Robotic WorX lab in November.
System Chancellor Fiorentino visited the Robotic WorX lab in November.

Robotic WorX – a public-private partnership between Millersville University and Precision Cobotics of Lititz that gives college and high school students opportunities to experience real-world automation challenges – has secured its first major commercial sponsorship with Advanced Atomization Technologies (AA Tech) of Clyde, N.Y. AA Tech designs, produces and supports fuel nozzles for aircraft engines.

“This sponsorship provides opportunities for students to come up with engineering solutions for an industry that is new to the program,” says Dr. Marc Harris, dean of Millersville University’s College of Science and Technology. “They’ll be working to meet the defined outcome AA Tech is looking for, which is great preparation for a career in manufacturing.”

Directed by John Bridgen, president of Precision Cobotics, and Dr. John Haughery, associate professor and coordinator for the automation and robotics engineering technology program at Millersville, Robotic WorX helps students connect STEM skills to real-world engineering careers and manufacturers tackle labor and production issues through workforce development and innovative processes.

“Seeing young people rise to the challenge of solving current engineering challenges for some of the global leaders in the industry is priceless! Robotic WorX is quickly becoming a serious workforce destination for students and manufacturers alike.” says Haughery.

Bob Hildebrand, director of product integrity at AA Tech, believes in the program’s impact. “Programs like Robotic WorX are essential for industry growth and for inspiring young minds to enter challenging fields,” he says.

“Beyond the incredible educational impact,” says Bridgen, “this milestone represents a major step toward long-term sustainability and provides tangible proof to our generous seed investors that the Robotic WorX model delivers real commercial value. We’re just getting started. The future of workforce development in automation is bright!”
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Dolheimer, Mary.  (2025, December 1) Robotic WorX Secures First Commercial Sponsor. Millersville News. blogs.millersville.edu/news/2025/12/01/robotic-worx-secures-first-commercial-sponsor

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MU Faculty & Graduate Assistant Recognized at 1909 Conference in Memphis, TN

The annual meeting of the 1909 conference was held in Memphis, TN on November 20-21, 2025. Millersville University was represented by Dr. Scott Warner and Dr. Molly Miller, and graduate assistant Madison Hansen. The conference represents a combination of two long-standing groups within technology and engineering education, the Mississippi Valley Technology Teacher Education Conference and the Southeastern Technology Education Conference. The conference exists with the goal of advancing thought, research, and practice in technology & engineering education.
1909’s newest members: Madison Hansen (left), Joseph Kaskel (center), Samuel Munzer
1909’s newest members: Madison Hansen (left), Joseph Kaskel (center), Samuel Munzer
Current student and graduate assistant, Madison Hansen, and recent alumni and former graduate assistant Joseph Kaskel, were admitted to full membership at this year’s conference. This is an elite group of individuals nationwide who must first be invited by a current member, attend multiple conferences, and be recommended for membership by a current active member. Congratulations to Maddie and Joe!
EPT Executive Director Dr. Kevin R. Howell with Dr. Miller
EPT Executive Director Dr. Kevin R. Howell with Dr. Miller

Maddie Hansen, Joe Kaskel, and faculty member Dr. Molly Miller each presented sessions at the conference based on their current research and findings. Maddie presented a session titled, “A Qualitative Comparison of Undergraduate Student Motivation Toward Making and Doing,” on undergraduate inclination towards hands-on learning and creation, a collaboration with current adjunct faculty Dr. Justin Egresitz. Joe presented a session titled “Exploring Expert Opinions for Defining Computer Science in K-12,” centered around his ongoing doctoral dissertation focused upon defining computer science education. Dr. Miller presented the session titled “From Training to Teaching: A Call for a Philosophical Renaissance in Technology Education, highlighting the importance of educational theory and philosophy within technology and engineering teacher preparation programs.

Dr. Miller was selected by her peers at the conference to be awarded the 2025 Epsilon Pi Tau Outstanding Presentation Award.
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TEECA @ MU Compete at East Coast TEECA Regional

TEECA @ MU brought 25 members to the TEECA Eastern Regional Conference in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware on November 6-8, 2025.

CONGRATULATIONS & thanks for competing at the East Coast TEECA Regional held in Rehoboth Beach, November 6-8, 2025.
CONGRATULATIONS & thanks for competing at the East Coast TEECA Regional held in Rehoboth Beach, November 6-8, 2025.

Two faculty advisors also joined the trip where they served as event coordinators and judges, Dr. Alex Johnson and Dr. Molly Miller. All student members participated in at least one event, competing against students from four other east coast universities. There were also team building sessions and a dinner banquet with a keynote speaker. We are very proud of ALL student participants for their professional representation of MU and their hard work and effort in preparing and competing in their respective contests. TEECA @ MU placed in the top 3 at every event at the conference!

Integrative STEM – First Place
Manufacturing – Second Place
Transportation – Second Place
K-5 STEM Challenge – Second Place
Poster Session – Second Place
Problem Solving – Second Place
Teaching Lesson – Second Place
Robotics – Third Place
Communications – Third Place

Continue reading “TEECA @ MU Compete at East Coast TEECA Regional”