Established in 1996, the SCATE Center is the longest operating Advanced Technological Education (ATE) initiative sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the country. Additional support is provided by Florence-Darlington Technical College where the center is located in the state of the art Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing & Technology (SiMT).

For the first seven years, SCATE operated as a partnership among the 16 technical colleges making up the SC Technical College System. In 2002, Florence-Darlington and Piedmont Technical Colleges assumed leadership as the project moved into a new phase as a national resource center. Throughout its history, SCATE has benefited from partnerships for advisory purposes, resource/expertise sharing, recruitment and retention of students, placement of graduates, and to adapt and implement projects.

The SCATE Center offers a variety of resources supporting industrial and engineering technology programs and related STEM programs nationwide, including recommendations for faculty development best practices, strategies for recruiting and retaining students, and methods for effective instruction. SCATE also provides resources for current and prospective students, including scholarships, internships, and career development assistance, and promotes partnerships with businesses and industries who employ advanced technology program graduates.

SCATE Center industry partners have consistently contributed to almost every aspect of our work, from assisting with curriculum development to serving on the National Visiting Committee. Industries have hosted meetings for the project at their facilities and become involved in a “grow-your-own” strategy for supporting students throughout their technician education to meet industry needs through SCATE's innovative ATE Industry Consortium and Internship Program which is coordinated with the Tech Stars Scholarship Program.