Non Technical Summary
The Agricultural Mechanics program at TXST needs new equipment in the agricultural construction laboratory. Within the agricultural structures course at TXST, students assigned into teams are assigned projects that must be completed by the end of the semester. These projects include but are not limited to tables, Adirondack chairs, and agricultural structures. Through this proposal, students in courses will have the opportunity to work with modern industry standard equipment to complete these projects. The purchase of the new equipment allows students to develop traditional technical skills, but also communication and teamwork or "soft skills." Soft skills are identified as key competencies that employers look for in new hires. This project improves the machinery management equipment through the purchase of three sets of major woodworking equipment; each set includes a planer, SawStop table saw, jointer, miter saw, bandsaw, drill press, sanding station, and dust collection system. In addition, many small portable power and hand tools will be purchased as well. This education project type proposal aligns with the agricultural/biological engineering discipline (code E). The purpose of this proposal is to improve students' experience in the agricultural construction laboratory area for DAS students at TXST. The purpose will be fulfilled by the following objectives: 1) Provide a learning environment that educates students utilizing industry-standard equipment in the agricultural construction laboratory space.; 2) Increase student engagement within agricultural mechanics major and courses at TXST.; 3) Host professional development workshops for SBAE teachers interested in agricultural construction and laboratory management.

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
402	5330	2020	100%

Knowledge Area
402 - Engineering Systems and Equipment;

Subject Of Investigation
5330 - Farm structures and related facilities;

Field Of Science
2020 - Engineering;

Goals / Objectives
The major long-term goals of this project include:Long-term objective #1: Provide a learning environment that educates students utilizing industry-standard equipment in the agricultural construction management laboratory space.Long-term objective #2: Increase student engagement within agricultural mechanics major/minor/elective and courses at TXST.Long-term objective #3: Host professional development workshops for SBAE teachers interested in woodworking and construction management

Project Methods
Due to recommended edist from the review panel, an external evaluator will be identified. The evaluatorwill meet twice a year to assist in problem identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation of this project.The activities of the project include:Purchase equipment.Install equipment and implement organizational and security procedures in the laboratory spaces.Implement equipment into coursework throughout the semesters.Evaluate the effectiveness of new equipment implementation.Host professional development workshops for secondary agricultural education teachers in agricultural construction and laboratory management. The professional development workshop in year one will focus on preparing students to participate in the Agricultural Mechanics Career Development Event. The professional development workshop in year two will focus on Team-Based Learning in Agricultural Construction classes. Finally, the professional development workshop in year three will focus on an agricultural construction laboratory management workshop with an emphasis on laboratory organization, storage systems, management systems, and equipment maintenance.The equipment will replace the existing out-of-date, broken, and missing equipment in the agricultural construction laboratory. Students will have the opportunity to work with industry-standard equipment that they would experience in the real-world setting. Normal course sizes are capped at 30 students, equaling 6 teams. With the purchase of three sets of major woodworking equipment and accompanying tools, one per team per lab, student engagement will increase as each team will have more access to equipment. In addition, the updated equipment opens the possibility for the development and execution of professional development workshops for SBAE teachers in woodworking and construction. Currently, these workshops are not possible with the state of equipment TXST owns.The purchase of the three sets of major woodworking equipment and accompanying tools is the most cost-effective means for this project. Grizzley, Powermatic, Milwaukee, and DeWalt brand tools are the industry standard tool brands used in the industry. Additionally, this proposal increases the usable tools in the agricultural construction laboratory area, however students will still be required to share equipment to complete semester long projects, making this proposal more cost-effective. Instructors who teach the agricultural construction course are responsible for the development of the tool and equipment organization system. With the TBL based equipment sets, instructors can ensure all equipment is accounted for each class period and prevent damage.