The 2013 Connecticut STEM Conference takes place on Monday, October 7, 2013 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. There are over 25 presentations including the following from ENHP/University:For an overview of the conference, the keynote, and presentations, go to Under the “Conference Schedule” section there is a link to detailed information on session offerings. You may access this information without committing to a registration.

Presentations involving University admin/faculty/students

10:30 – 11:30 and 1:45 – 2:45 p.m. Research on STEM Education: What have we learned that can be used in the classroom? Two presentations: elementary focused and secondary focused. Strand: Informed Practice: Using Research and Assessment in STEM - From Project 2061 and the TIMSS project in the 90's, to present studies, researchers have explored how students learn STEM. In this session participants will learn the important findings in STEM research over the last 20 years and the implications these findings have for their teaching. John Tapper, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions at the University of Hartford

10:30 – 11:30 a.m. No Bones About It: Engineering is Elementary Strand: The Future Starts Now: Elementary STEM - Come and participate in an experience and "Engineering is Elementary" unit that uses hands-on, minds-on work with real engineering practices that promotes the invaluable 21st-century skills of critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity. Learn how you can participate in further training in the "Engineering is Elementary" program. Hank Gruner, Vice President of Programs, Connecticut Science Center, Michael Wininger, Assistant Professor, University of Hartford, and Rachael Manzer, STEM Coach, and Erin Wilson, Grade 6 Teacher at Annie Fisher STEM Magnet School, Hartford Public Schools

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Straw Rockets: A STEM Investigation for Middle and High SchoolStrand: The Future is Here: Secondary STEM - Few inquiry projects provide as thorough an integration of all the elements of STEM as work with projectiles. In this workshop participants will investigate the efficiency and accuracy of straw rockets using digital capture technology and mathematical modeling. Jean McGivney-Burelle, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Education and John Tapper,Assistant Professor – Both are from the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions at the University of Hartford.

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Leading, Living, and Looking at STEM Careers: An expert panel addresses the question, How can we engage today’s students to pursue STEM careers of the FutureStrand: Expanding Career Potential: School Counselors and STEM - An exceptional panel of professionals will respond to questions about preparing for STEM careers today and the outlook for the future. Moderators: Sandra Inga, STEM Director preK-12, Hartford Public Schools and Melissa Gavarrino, Head of East Hartford Public Schools Science Department.

  • Crystal L. Clark, MD, MPH,Director of Connecticut Institute for Primary Care Innovation (CIPCI). Saint Francis Care
  • John Kniering, MEd, Director of Career Services at the University of Hartford
  • Cato T. Laurencin, MD, PhD, Director, Institute for Regenerative Engineering
    Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (CICATS)
    Distinguished Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Chemical, Materials and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Connecticut
  • Shakira Aida Ramos, MBA, Technical Analyst in the Contract Management Organization at Pratt and Whitney
  • Karen Wosczyna-Birch, EdD, State Director of the Connecticut Community Colleges’ College of Technology (COT), Executive Director and principal investigator of the Regional Center for Next Generation Manufacturing, Professor of Science/Technology at Tunxis Community College in Farmington, Conn.

10:30-11:30 a.m. - Caine's Arcade: Using Inquiry with Cardboard Arcade Games -Strand: The Future Starts Now: Elementary STEM - Education students at the University of Hartford conducted a science inquiry with sixth graders at the Annie Fisher STEM Schoolbased on the popular video, Caine's Arcade. Participants will see the results of this collaboration and have the opportunity to investigate the construction of arcade games with cardboard. No faculty involved – students only: (see below), however, the project is associated with John Tapper’s class.

Student
LName / Student
FName / Program / Hometown and State / Email
Brealt / Laura / Elementary/Special Education / Brooklyn, NY /
Cicchese / Kathleen / Elementary/ Special Education / Oakdale, CT /
Dorau / Jayna / Elementary/Special Education / Southington, CT /
McKinney / Meghan / Elementary/Special Education / Atkinson, NH /
Morrissey / Michael / Elementary/Special Education / Nashua, NH /
Schmidt / Rachel / Elementary/Special Education / Terryville, CT /
Schultz / Hannah / Elementary/Special Education / Jericho, VT /
Silver / Shana / Elementary/Special Education / Chicago, IL (60641) /

1:45 – 2:45 p.m. - Exploring iPad Technologies for Thinking, Collaborating, and Information Sharing across the Content Areas Strand: The Future Starts Now: Elementary STEM - Participants will use iPads (provided) to explore a few free applications that provide opportunities for students to share and build on thinking. Together, we will explore Edmodo, Project Noah, and a free white board application. Lisa Zawilinski, Assistant Professor of Elementary Education and undergraduate students listed below:

Student
LName / Student
FName / Program / Hometown and State / Email
Ortiz / Gabriela / Elementary/Special Education / New Britain, CT /
Hammerman / Morgan / Elementary/ Special Education / Atlantic Beach, NY /
DiPreta / Donna / Elementary/Special Education / Norwalk, CT /
DeCostanzo / Rachel / Elementary/Special Education / Massapequa, NY /
Devane / Amanda / Elementary/Special Education / Yonkers, NY /
Fleisher / Lauren / Elementary/Special Education / Edison, NJ /
Guay / Elizabeth / Elementary/Special Education / South Windsor, CT /
Flynn / Nick / Elementary/Special Education / Clinton, CT /
Badolato / Jackie / Elementary/Special Education / Hicksville, CT /
Izzo / Samantha / Elementary/Special Education / Anchorage, AK /