Countdown to the Connecticut Innovation Exposition

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.

From the fall of 2007 through the spring of 2008, these high school students focused on the advancement of their innovative projects. They met with teachers, students (here and in China), and business professionals in the classroom, at business locations, at community colleges and 4-year universities, online, and virtually through the Internet. They learned from both their successes and their failures, just as people learn in the business world. Collaboration went smoothly at times. At other times, team members had to talk things through, decide who was responsible for what, and come to a consensus…just as in the business world. And, just as companies plan for tomorrow in order to promote continuous improvement, students shared opinions about what worked well and ideas about what could be modified in the future.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE EXPO
CTIA student teams created a computer learning game to help middle school students develop science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills. In order to complete this task, each team formed a mock company and assigned roles, such as Web site developer, graphics designer, programmer, researcher, writer, and marketing director. At the Expo, team members will be available at their exhibit booth to demonstrate their game and Web site, as well as show off their marketing materials, which include items such as a white paper, a commercial, and even a jingle. At least two select members from each team will deliver an oral presentation or “elevator pitch” to a panel of judges and the general public.

Each student team in the E-Commerce and Entrepreneurship course developed an e-business and identified a product or service to sell online. Student projects will be evaluated on criteria such as aesthetics, customer experience, ease of use, level of trust, and transaction processing. As with the CTIA teams, E-Commerce students will deliver oral presentations and be at their booths to answer questions. As would be required of any new company, each e-business must also present both a white paper and a business plan to engage and maintain the interest of potential investors.

Biotechnology students developed a lesson to teach younger students about a chosen biotechnology concept and related careers. At the Expo, students will exhibit 5-minute media presentations showing the implementation of their lessons for review by a research panel and the public. Students in the Academy for Science and Research carried out year-long research projects under the guidance of their science teachers and mentors from a variety of science fields. They entered their research projects into regional and state science competitions and will also display them at the Expo for viewing by the general public.

In addition to the CCC student participants, the Connecticut Pre-Engineering Program will feature CPEP Day with over 500 middle school students participating in a variety of engineering design competitions. This year the Expo will also have students from the Connecticut Project Lead The Way program presenting their Capstone projects, a culmination of their work in a high school engineering program. The Regional Center for Next Generation Manufacturing, directed by the CT Community Colleges' College of Technology, will demonstrate life support and sustainable living projects. The CT Technology Student Association will compete on May 9^th.

There are also some surprises planned, including the unveiling of our new virtual collaboration environment and some long-distance participation from across the globe. So…there is something for everyone! Join us as we celebrate the innovative spirit of our Connecticut students!