Girls of Innovation

The Connecticut Technology Council and the Women of Innovation Planning Committee instituted the Girls of Innovation in 2009. Read the press release!   Each summer, volunteers come out to support the Girls of Innovation Science Challenge - The Network Mentor Recruitment Drive What People are Saying About Girls of Innovation! Girls of Innovation Planning Committee Girls of Innovation - Mentor Recruitment Drive CTC has started a mentor recruitment drive - a search for mentors for Girls of Innovation. We are inviting interested mentors to contact us to learn about volunteer opportunities through Girls of Innovation and other kid-focused programs around the state. Indicate your interest in mentoring, click here.

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Girls of Innovation 2011 Science Challenge Mentors and middle school students gathered at Hartford's Connecticut Science Center (CSC) on Thursday July 14th 2011 for this year's science challenge. Six teams of girls delved into six 10-15 minute science and technology-based challenges facilitated by CSC scientists and volunteer mentors. Thanks to all who participated on 7/14 - we had a bright group of 35 girls and 25 mentors at the Science Center. Click here to see more photos from the Girls of Innovation 2011 Science Challenge
Girls of Innovation 2010 Science Challenge
This program inspires today's middle school students to consider studies in science and technology-related research, health services and business areas.  Visionary companies like Covidien actively encourage Connecticut's talented young women to prepare for key roles that will enhance organizational innovation and achievement. The program included: Science challenges in Exhibit Galleries: Three teams of ten girls performed three, 20-minute exhibit-based science challenges facilitated by CSC scientists, Lunch and social time with Volunteers, and free exploration time in exhibit galleries.	Click here to see more photos from the Girls of Innovation 2010 Science Challenge

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The Girls of Innovation Network

The Connecticut Technology Council has created an online networking community at:
www.girlsofinnovation.org  

another at
www.womenofinnovation.org

and one for the
Connecticut Technology Community

We hope our readers will use these to connect, learn and network with other Technology professionals and STEM students.

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Mentor Recruitment Drive

CTC has started a mentor recruitment drive - a search for mentors for Girls of Innovation. We are inviting interested mentors to contact us to learn about volunteer opportunities through Girls of Innovation. 
Indicate your interest in mentoring - click here.

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What People are Saying About Girls of Innovation!

“As chair of the CTC's Women of Innovation Planning Committee, I am thrilled that CTC is the catalyst to bring these powerful groups together to establish Girls of Innovation. The next generation--girls and boys--need to recognize women as leaders in science and technology.

That is a lesson best learned by experience. What better way to demonstrate progress than by bringing women mentors together with students with a common goal in a FIRST Robotics competition. Inspiring girls to continue their education, and ultimately pursue careers, in science and technology can only happen through exposure to creative and innovative thought in a fun and challenging setting, such as the FIRST Robotics competition.

By establishing Girls of Innovation, CTC is demonstrating once again its commitment to its mission, which benefits all of Connecticut's citizens. Girls of Innovation lives up to its name, and puts us further down the path toward a culture of innovation.”

Beth Alquist
Chair of the Women of Innovation Planning Committee
Partner at the law firm of Day Pitney LLP

 

Hank Gruner, Vice President of Programs at the Connecticut Science Center, understands the need to develop programs that will bring more middle school girls into science and technology fields. “The Connecticut Science Center feels strongly that this type of project is essential for Connecticut’s future science and technology workforce,” says Gruner, who hopes that the science center will soon be an active participant with the CT Technology Council in this type of effort.

 

“Spurring growth through creative invention will be a key objective of many companies in the next decade as it will provide the necessary fuel to address challenges in energy, healthcare, and global infrastructure realms. The solutions to these challenges will evolve and mature over many years and our bright and talented youth will drive the bus on this.

Our nation's mission to develop the next generation of leaders in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics will depend on stimulating interest from our university, high school, and even elementary / middle school pupils. This program is designed to galvanize our youth around invention and creative thought.

CTC is proud to provide fuel to this program as a stimulus for innovation in our next tier ofleaders.”

Chris Kalish
Chair of the CTC board of Directors
Director of GE’s EdgeLab

For more information about this program contact, Info@ct.org and visit online at: www.girlsofinnovation.org.

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Girls of Innovation Planning Committee

Committee Members
Elizabeth Alquist, Day Pitney LLP
Lucy Brakoniecki, Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund
Elizabeth Durgin, Connecticut Technology Council
Sue Glasspiegel, FIRST Connecticut
Sheenah Mische, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals
Judi Otton, Advanced Decisions
Paige Rasid, Connecticut Technology Council
Mike Scricca, Connectticut Tecnology Council
Joy Wulke, Wulke Studio