For
Immediate Release
January 21, 2014
Contact: William A. Bevacqua
(860) 246-1553, ext. 107
william.bevacqua@cga.ct.gov
Rocking
Robots, Invention Convention & Hands-On History:
What
do Students Learn from Academic Contests?
Old
State House Conversation at Noon – Tuesday, Feb. 4th
Hartford, CT
– Each year, thousands of Connecticut students participate in a vast array of
academic contests that cover every major intellectual discipline. Generations of participants would no doubt
attest that such competitions are fun for those with an interest in the subject
matter, but what lasting impact do these programs have on students, teachers
and their classrooms? On Tuesday, February 4, 2014 students and educators representing
three of the state’s top programs – History Day in Connecticut, CT Invention
Convention, and CT FIRST – will explain how these contests have unleashed
creative and inspiring ways to learn about subjects as diverse as the past,
innovation and robotics in this latest installment of Conversations at Noon at Connecticut’s Old State House.
Accompanied
by a display of student projects, this fascinating program, moderated by the
Connecticut Network’s Diane Smith, will explore how these programs and others
like them supplement and support class work for students across the state in
both home and traditional schools. This
month’s expert panel includes several award-winning students, representing
schools in East Hartford, Hartford, and Southbury. State Representative Gregory Haddad,
board member of CT Invention Convention and History Day judge, will provide
opening remarks.
This free
program lasts from noon-1 p.m. and is funded by Connecticut Humanities.
Over 4,000
students participate in History Day in Connecticut. It is one of 56 affiliate programs of
National History Day, a nationally recognized program that makes history come
alive by engaging students in grades 6-12 in the discovery of the historic,
cultural, and social experiences of the past. Students choose their topics
based on an annual theme and after researching their topics, they present their
findings in original papers, performances, documentaries, websites and
exhibits. Students may work alone or as part of a group.. District competitions are held in March and
winners are invited to participate in the State History Day contest in late
April. Students who place 1st or 2nd at
the State Contest are invited to the national contest in College Park , MD.
The CT Invention Convention
is a 31-year-old nonprofit organization whose mission is to foster interest in
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) through school-based programs
in invention, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Every year, more than 10,000 students in grades K-8 in more than half of
CT's towns develop solutions to their everyday problems by coming up with an
invention or an innovation. They compete
on the local level, and then finalists are invited to the University of
Connecticut at Storrs for a day of judging and celebration of ingenuity. More
than half of CIC's inventors are girls, and 17% are minority students. Some
student inventors move forward with their inventions to patenting, manufacture
and business formation. For all
students, the CT Invention Convention is a memorable learning experience in
problem-solving and critical thinking.
FIRST was founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology. Based in Manchester, NH, the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills. Dean Kamen is an inventor, entrepreneur, and tireless advocate for science and technology. His passion and determination to help young people discover the excitement and rewards of science and technology are the cornerstones of FIRST. FIRST has been active in Connecticut since 1995.
Located in
Hartford just minutes from the Connecticut Science Center, Wadsworth Athenaeum
and the riverfront, Connecticut’s Old State House invites visitors of all ages
to discover that their voices matter, and that words, ideas, persuasion and
debate really can change minds – and, quite possibly, the world. The
building served as the Constitution State’s original seat of government from
1796 to 1878. For more information on admission prices, upcoming events
and parking discounts nearby, become a fan of Connecticut’s Old State House on
Facebook, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CTOldStateHouse or visit us
online at www.ctoldstatehouse.org.
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