THE OPENING CEREMONY
The 2009 CT Student Innovation Expo welcomed more than 1,300 middle and high school students on May 9 for its most successful event yet at the CT Convention Center. In addition to the “cool stuff made by students” and “the energy in the room,” these were among the many comments from students, teachers, and visitors:

“The Expo brings everyone together in a way you could not on a regular basis.”

“It’s an opportunity for students to present high quality, authentic work.”

“Today was a great way to showcase the incredible amount of talent Connecticut students have to offer.”

And this one…

“I had the best time of my life.”

The opening ceremony began with an enthusiastic welcome from Lt. Governor Fedele, a strong promoter of education and technology. It was followed by an inspirational keynote from Lewis Gordon Pugh, who embarks on polar adventures (such as becoming the first person to complete a long-distance swim at the North Pole) in order to raise awareness about global warming and change environmental laws.

EXHIBITION BOOTHS and PRESENTATIONS
Almost 60 student booths were set up inside the CT Convention Center to display, market, and discuss student team projects. Students greeted visitors and judges, explained research, demonstrated Web sites and multimedia, and proudly promoted student-created films, computer learning games, and a variety of products. All projects contained a green theme, from a push for environmental responsibility and sustainable energy to solutions to pressing global health problems exacerbated by the environmental crisis.

Student teams in each program or course gave oral presentations or “elevator pitches” to a select panel of judges who represented business organizations, institutions of higher learning, and experts in the fields of health and science. Each panel scored presentations as they would in the real business world.

AWARDS
While it was difficult to choose winners from such an outstanding group of presentations and projects, scores were tallied and awards given in a variety of areas, including the “AT&T Greenie Award,” exhibition booth, oral presentation,  game design, white paper, business plan, ePortfolio, team leader, team player, multimedia, marketing, Web site design, Battelle Business Innovation Prize, CCC Internship Award, and more.

The CT Student Film Festival also held its own Oscar-style award ceremony to recognize an outstanding director of photography, editor, documentary, public service announcement, CT Film Festival Career Development Award, and more.

For a complete list of awards and winners, click on 2009 Awards and Recognition.

PARTICIPANTS
Middle and high school students from these districts displayed their innovative work: Berlin, Bethel, Bloomfield, Bridgeport, Bristol, Brookfield, Danbury, Derby, East Haddam, East Hartford, East Haven, Fairfield, Glastonbury, Hartford, Litchfield, Manchester, Meriden, New Britain, New Canaan, New Fairfield, New Haven, New London, New Milford, Newtown, Norwalk, Oxford, Plainville, Regions 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, Simsbury, Southington, Stamford, Terryville, Thomaston, Waterbury, West Hartford, Windham, and Woodstock. CCC student participants were joined by Connecticut Pre-Engineering Program (CPEP), Connecticut Project Lead The Way (PLTW), the CT Community Colleges’ College of Technology Regional Center for Next Generation Manufacturing (RCNGM), and the Connecticut Technology Student Association (TSA).

Lewis Pugh educates others about the critical state of our environment, asking us to stand up and save our planet and its marine life. He’s the only person to have swum in every ocean and was the first person to complete a long distance swim at the North Pole.

“Through my swims I have had a unique perspective on climate change. I have witnessed retreating glaciers, decreasing sea ice, coral bleaching, severe droughts, and the migration of animals to colder climates. It’s as a result of these experiences that I am determined to do my bit to raise awareness about the fragility of our environment and to encourage everyone to take action,” says Pugh.

Lewis swam across an open patch of sea at the North Pole in order to draw attention to the melting Arctic sea ice. The water was below freezing (-1.7°C/29°F), the coldest water in which any human had ever swum. He wore only a swim cap, goggles, and Speedo™.

Pugh has appeared on many television shows, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Daily Show with John Stewart, CNN Vital Signs, and Good Morning America.

Pugh has been honored by various governments for his athletic ability and tireless environmental effort. He regularly meets with heads of state and business leaders to talk about how we can protect the environment.

Lewis Pugh states, “We stand at a critical point in the history of the planet and the steps which we take over the next few years will determine the future of the natural world and the sustainability of mankind.”

© 2005 Terje Eggum, Photographer [Pugh diving into the sea off Antarctica]

One of the featured competitions at Expo ‘09 will be the Computer Game Design Challenge and the games produced by students from the Connecticut Innovation Academy.  The Connecticut Innovation Academy is designed to develop student academic and 21st century STEM skills through the completion of an “Innovation Challenge.” Throughout the school-year-long project, students learn about emerging science and technology subjects as they develop a mock company and assume positions in the company to complete the challenge issued. This year the students were challenged to develop a computer game that teaches the concept of energy sustainability and/or environmental responsibility. One of the teams participating this year is Banana Games from Brookfield High School. You can get a sneak preview of the Banana Games project by visiting their Web site. Be sure to join us on May 9th when all CTIA teams will present their work through oral presentations and exhibition booth displays at Expo ‘09 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.

The countdown to the Connecticut Student Innovation Exposition has begun. Almost 2000 students from across Connecticut urban and suburban school districts are currently hard at work on the projects and presentations that will be featured at the Expo. We will  post additional information and promotional materials as the date approaches.

Governor M. Jodi Rell has proclaimed May 10th as Connecticut Student Innovators’ Day in recognition of 1,200 Connecticut middle and high school students who have participated in year-long courses and programs that promote STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Students will present information technology, e-commerce, and science team projects on May 10, 2008, at the Connecticut Innovation Exposition at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

“Our ability to compete successfully in the 21st-century economy depends on a workforce skilled in science and the technical fields. Connecticut has always been a leader in innovation and technology, but we cannot take our position for granted. The challenge today is to plan innovative ways to nurture interest among students at an early age and keep that momentum going through high school, college, and beyond,” said Governor Rell.

Michael Mino, Director of the Center for 21st Century Skills @ EDUCATION CONNECTION, agrees. “We encourage students to think creatively as they incorporate technology, giving them academic skills, life skills, and workforce skills for careers in the 21st century,” says Mino. “Students have embraced the challenges presented in these courses and exhibit exciting and imaginative projects at the Connecticut Innovation Expo.” Mino and his staff develop and manage the technology-rich, project-based courses and programs in conjunction with Connecticut Career Choices (CCC). There are currently more than 40 schools across the state using the curricula.

The exhibition is free to the public and attendees can visit student exhibitions, witness the unveiling of a new virtual collaboration environment, and say hello to students joining the Expo virtually from China. Oral presentations or “elevator pitches” to “sell” their projects will be presented by students throughout the day.

PRESENTING TEAMS INCLUDE:
Connecticut Innovation Academy (CTIA) student teams, in response to an Innovation Challenge from Governor Rell, created computer learning games to help middle school students develop STEM skills.

E-Commerce and Entrepreneurship student teams each developed an e-business and identified a product or service to sell online, keeping in mind aesthetics, customer experience, ease of use, level of trust, and transaction processing.

Biotechnology students generated lessons to teach younger students about a chosen biotechnology concept and related careers. They will exhibit media presentations to demonstrate their lessons.

CT Academy for Science and Research (CTASR) students carried out year-long research projects under the guidance of their science teachers and mentors from a variety of science fields, and entered these projects into regional and state science competitions.

Regional Medical Internship students will discuss STEM career options as explored through their participation in medical internships, seminars, and field trips that clearly connect school experiences to entrance into the workforce of the 21st century.

CCC participants will be joined by students from the Connecticut Pre-Engineering Program (CPEP), Connecticut Project Lead The Way (PLTW), and the Regional Center for Next Generation Manufacturing (RCNGM), directed by the Connecticut Community Colleges’ College of Technology. In addition, the Connecticut Technology Student Association (TSA) will compete on Friday, May 9, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

ABOUT THE CENTER FOR 21st CENTURY SKILLS @ EDUCATION CONNECTION
The Center for 21st Century Skills promotes the advancement of 21st century skills, technical education, and careers by creating “blended learning” environments that combine traditional face-to-face classroom learning with online instruction. It is an organizational unit of EDUCATION CONNECTION, the Regional Educational Service Center for western Connecticut. <www.skills21.org> <www.educationconnection.org> <http://ctcconline.org>

ABOUT CONNECTICUT CAREER CHOICES (CCC)
CCC is an initiative to engage Connecticut middle and high school students in a variety of challenging STEM-related courses. CCC combines innovative, Internet-based curriculum with experiential learning opportunities, such as hosting classroom speakers, company tours, job shadows, and teacher externships. <http://ctcareerchoices.org>

Students in courses and programs sponsored by Connecticut Career Choices (CCC) and the Center for 21^st Century Skills @ EDUCATION CONNECTION, including the Connecticut Innovation Academy (CTIA), E-Commerce, Biotechnology, and Connecticut Academy for Science and Research (CTASR), have been busy. They have been meeting, planning, listening, working, thinking, problem solving, researching, designing, and, in general, using their creative minds to complete projects in preparation for the May 10^th Connecticut Innovation Exposition at the Connecticut Convention Center.