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).