Polk State Engineering Technology students build real-world solutions for smart manufacturing

Students in Polk State College’s Engineering Technology Program are diving into the industry with hands-on training that is as real-world as it gets, building the very infrastructure that drives smart manufacturing not only locally, but around the globe.

As part of a recent capstone project, ET students, with the guidance of their expert instructors, developed a cloud-based data infrastructure system using the College’s one-of-a-kind liquid process control system, designed and built by ET faculty and students. By integrating real-time sensory data – pressure, flow rate, temperature and liquid level – into a cloud server, students laid the foundation for intelligent, connected factory operations.

“This project represents exactly what modern manufacturing demands,” said ET Program Director Mori Toosi. “It’s about empowering systems to make data-driven decisions, minimizing downtime and optimizing performance through real-time analytics and predictive maintenance.”

The student-led project was made possible through funding received from the U.S. Department of State’s IDEAS grant in support of activities including virtual and hybrid exchanges and new international partnerships. This study at Polk State was conducted in close collaboration with faculty and students from the Merida Institute of Technology in Mexico, as well as local industry in Polk County.

“Engineering technology is a combination of multiple engineering, so you get industrial, you get computer, you get mechanical, you get everything,” student Jasmine Brown explained. “I chose this program because of how interactive it is. Everything is very hands-on, and you get a lot of experience.”

“The instruction here at Polk State is different than anything else you will experience at another college,” she added. “You are one-on-one with your teacher, and you can really get hands-on experience. Not only are you learning, but you are delving deeper into subjects and the curriculum.”

In addition to the opportunities to receive hands-on training and connect with local employers, students also highlighted the flexibility and affordability of the program, which helps put in-demand, high-wage careers within reach for aspiring engineers.

“It’s perfect for those who want to get a sense of a little bit of theoretical and a little bit of applied, and put them together,” student Daniel Moya echoed. “It’s also perfect for people who want to go directly into the workforce.”

Erinn Corbett is already working in the manufacturing field and is using the Polk State Engineering Technology Program as a stepping stone to further her career.

“I do quality control, and the alignment between what I’m doing here and what I’m doing in my job is really important because I can see how it actually applies and I can tie it in now,” she explained.

Moya is planning to further his education at Florida Polytechnic University.

“The skills and the experience you gain from here can be transferred anywhere in Polk County,” he said. “Polk County is a very good area for manufacturing and even Florida as a state in general is very big on manufacturing. These skills are not just learned in the classroom – they can be applied anywhere.”

In 2025, Florida joined the top 10 in the nation for manufacturing employment with 421,400 manufacturing jobs – an increase of 3,100 or 0.7% over the last year.

The demand for engineering technology skills also continues to increase in crucial sectors such as the space industry and modeling, simulation and training.

The state is aiming for a top position in the national tech workforce rankings by 2030, signaling the continued growth and investment in these fields.

Want to get started at Polk State College? Visit polk.edu/engineering-technology or email Dr. Toosi at mtoosi@polk.edu.