Composite Technology Personnel Development. Final Report.

A project was conducted at Delaware County Community College, Media, Pennsylvania, to train two instructional staff members in the area of composite materials technology. A 1-year training program was set up for the two technical instructional specialists at the Boeing Helicopter Training Center, Eddystone, Pennsylvania. The program consisted of 580 hours of comprehensive classroom and laboratory training dealing with the selection, fabrication, testing, and use of graphite composite materials. Emphasis was on the Boeing/Bell V-22 aircraft. During the training, the specialists recorded, collected, and collated information on general composites, as well as a variety of materials related to the teaching methodology to be used. The instructional specialists also participated in visits and discussions with a variety of manufacturers of plastic and composite items. After the training, the specialists developed core courses in composite materials technology and structured a complete curriculum around those courses. The curriculum allows for a 2-year associate degree program, a 1-year certificate of proficiency program, and a certificate of competency program to be conducted in conjunction with company training programs. Ten attachments include the resumes of the two instructors, and listings of course outlines, professional organizations, and books acquired. (KC)