By Alexandra Torres Munoz, UConn ’25 (CAHNR) (CLAS)

 

On March 17, 2026, the UConn ECE Program and Math Faculty Coordinators launched a new event—and (hopefully!) a future annual tradition—the UConn ECE Integration Bee. After an initial attempt to host the event in 2025 was canceled due to scheduling challeng­es, the first-ever iteration this spring went un-BEE-lievably well. Approximately 60 students from 5 high schools attended, and we hope to see even more join the competition next year.

This event was inspired by UConn’s annual In­tegration Bee, hosted each fall by the American Mathematical Society (AMS) Graduate Student chapter of the Math Department. The com­petition is open to all undergraduate students to tackle some tricky integrals and to earn some cool prizes! The event is open to anyone, but it is strongly advised that anyone participating has completed (at least) Math 1132Q: Calculus II.

 

We decided to adapt this event into a friendly competition open to any UConn ECE Math students that are currently enrolled in Calculus II, and we hosted the event during UConn’s spring break to make campus travel a bit easier (besides, we figured the participants wouldn’t mind a day off school to go do extra hard math prob­lems, right? …right?).

 

The competition began with a written qualifying round open to all student attendees. The top scoring students were then invited to compete in the first round (the highest score was a 5 out of 10, which was truly impres­sive!), where they worked individ­ually at the whiteboard, competing in groups of six at a time, to solve staggeringly difficult integrals. The first to finish a problem correctly earned a point, and the best one or two students from each group moved to the next round.

 

The final round was a head-to-head match between Chidubem from Fairchild Wheeler High School and Tommy from Trumbull High School. Despite a few questions stumping both competitors, we were able to crown a champion!

 

Trophies were awarded for the top three finishers—first place went to Chidubem from Fairchild Wheeler High School, second place to Tom­my from Trumbull High School, and third place to Ted from Trumbull High School—along with some awe­some medals for the top 10 partici­pants (which hopefully helped take away the STING of defeat!).

 

Thank you so very much to the amaz­ing staff in the UConn ECE office for helping us to organize and run the event and thank you to all the instruc­tors and students who helped us make this first Integration Bee a resounding success. We look forward to hosting the event again in March 2027! Will the integrals be even more diabolical- you’ll have to find out then!

 

This year, the UConn School of Pharmacy celebrated its 100th anniversary and its new name—the UConn School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences—recognizing the many PhD students and researchers who contribute to the school’s success.

 

The past academic year also marked an expansion of outreach efforts across Connecticut. Hundreds of high school students explored careers in pharmacy through hands-on activities, campus visits, and presentations from faculty and current students. Such events both on and off campus were made in large part due to a generous award from CVS Health. In addition, CVS pharmacists were active participants across different events, offering students perspectives from a variety of backgrounds and careers within pharmacy.

 

Led by Associate Dean Dr. Rickles, outreach visits brought pharmacy directly into schools and at the Connecticut Science Center, where students practiced administering injections on simulation arms and learned about the profession firsthand. On-campus visitors toured the school, compounded lip balms and scrubs, and participated in interactive demonstrations, including Dr. White’s human body simulator, which allowed students to see how medications are used to make emergency clinical decisions. During the summer, 15-18 high school students from across the region come to UConn’s Storrs Campus to learn about pharmacy and engage in many interactive activities. These students graduate from the ome-week immersive experience with the designation of being CVS Health Junior Scholars. Dr. Rickles had a team of faculty, staff, as well as the project coordinator and recent UConn grad, Alexandra Torres Munoz, to collaborate with to make all events successful and enjoyable.

 

In addition to the hands-on events and school visits, the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences has rolled out PHARM 1002: Fundamentals of Pharmacology, as a UConn course offering through the Early College Experience program. In this course, high school students can gain a strong foundation in essential components of drug therapy and key aspects of pharmacy practice. The plan is to offer more UConn courses through Early College Experience that lead to a pharmacy technician certification pathway for high school students, providing them with the tools and credentials required to work as certified pharmacy technicians. By establishing programs like these, we aim to provide students with meaningful opportunities to gain hands-on pharmacy experience and earn college credit early, helping to set them up for future success. We look forward to inspiring the next generation of pharmacists and sparking excitement for one of healthcare’s most vital professions.

 

Through partnerships with schools such as New Haven’s Hill Regional Career High School, Seymour High School, Norwich Free Academy, Glastonbury High School, and more, the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals and demonstrating the impact of pharmacy in communities across Connecticut. n

This map of Connecticut highlights the high schools that participated in UConn ECE student events during the 2025–2026 academic year— an exciting year of growth for student engage­ment. Building on last year’s 14 student events, UConn ECE expanded to 16 student events in 2025–2026, creating even more opportunities for students to connect with the University and with one another.

 

Initially introduced in the winter magazine to showcase fall participation, this updated map now includes schools that participated throughout the spring semester as well. Each marker represents a high school whose stu­dents attended at least one event, offering a clear visual of the program’s expanding reach. With more schools participating than in the previous year, the map reflects broader geo­graphic representation across the state.

 

This increased participation is a testament to the continued dedication of UConn ECE in­structors and students, whose enthusiasm for academic enrichment drives the success of these events. As interest continues to grow, UConn ECE looks forward to further expanding access and encouraging more high schools to take advantage of these meaningful, hands-on learning experiences across a wide range of disciplines.

 

Read more…

 

• 2026 UConn Early College Experience Marine Science Symposium
• The 2026 UConn Italian Multimedia Contest
• Trumbull High School Students Visit UConn Stamford
• Rock Solid Learning: Earth Science Students Explore UConn
• Defending Champions Retain Crown at CT Science Olympiad Championship
• CT History Day: Young Historians Seize McHugh Hall
• UConn ECE MELD: High School Students Engage in Hands-On Chemistry at UConn
• First ECE Spanish Film Fest: Caribbean Cinema
• UConn Sparks Early Interest in Pharmacy
• Inaugural Math Integration Bee

 

By Claudia Koerting, Academic Assistant, Biology, Program Coordinator, Marine Sciences, UConn ECE Marine Science Faculty Coordinator

 

Now in its 12th year, the 2026 UConn Early College Experience Marine Science Symposium took place on May 29th at UConn’s coastal Avery Point campus. The symposium brought together 56 students from four high schools—University High School of Science and Engineering, Waterford High School, Ledyard High School, and The Sound School—to present their yearlong research projects.

 

Students enrolled in UConn’s Marine Science courses (MARN1001E: The Sea Around Us and MARN1003E: Introduction to Oceanography with Lab) shared their work through oral presentations and detailed scientific posters, offering an opportunity to practice communicating science to a broad audience of peers, guests, UConn faculty, and graduate students.

 

MARN 1001E is a marine science course for non-science majors that focuses on human interaction with the marine environment. Over the course of the year, students conducted an in-depth exploration of scientific literature across a range of topics. Their projects examined issues such as climate change impacts on marine species, microplastic pollution, shifting ocean ecosystems, marine conservation and policy, and emerging scientific and medical applications inspired by ocean research. MARN 1003E students presented hands-on research that included ocean acidification resilience, alternatives for fish bait, and even an app developed to identify fish in Long Island Sound.

 

The wide range of topics reflected both the rigor of the coursework and the curiosity of these emerging scientists. By connecting classroom learning with real-world research, the symposium highlighted the value of experiential education. Students left the event with strengthened presentation skills, increased confidence, and a deeper sense of belonging in the scientific community, demonstrating both professionalism and dedication in their work.

 

By Dr. Tina Chiappetta-Miller , Associate Professor In-Residence, Literatures, Cultures, and Languages and UConn ECE Italian Literature and Cultural Studies Faculty Coordinator

 

Now, in its third year, the UConn ECE Italian Multimedia Contest continues to offer students of Italian an original, engaging, and creative way to apply their language skills. This year’s theme, “Il linguaggio del…vero io” (“The language of… my true self ”) struck a special chord with the high school participants. The theme inspired more than 35 submissions that explored students’ intimate feelings and lived experiences.

 

Students responded in a wide range of creative formats, including poems, drawings, photo col­lages, and even an original song, which earned an honorable mention. This year’s winners expressed deeply personal images of their complex identi­ties, highlighting the intersection of cultures that shape who they are.

 

The contest jury, composed of Professor Federica Anichi­ni’s 10th grade class at the Istituto Agrario in Florence, Italy, were very impressed with this year’s submissions. Students Ettore, Viola, and Niccolò stepped up to record an enthusiastic video announcing the winners.

 

The best part about the “Il linguaggio di…” contest is that it showcases the strength and vitality of high school Italian programs across Connecticut while reinforcing UConn ECE’s connection and commitment to language learning and creative expression.

 

1st place: Virginia Akide Ndunge of Holy Cross High School with her essay, “Troppo, Non Abbastanza” (“Too much, not enough”) and her original collage “Sono Abbas­tanza” (“I am enough”).

 

2nd place: Jose Taveras of Bristol Central High School with his poem and photo collage, “Il mio cuore” (“My heart”).

 

3rd place: Isabella Cacnahuaray of Holy Cross High School with her poem “Mio Mondo Pieno di Somiglianza” (“My world full of similarities”) and drawing, “La Bellezza della Cultura” (“The beauty of culture”)

 

Honorable Mention: Emersyn Miller of Staples High School for her original song, “Scopri chi sono” (“Discover who I am”).

 

 

By Dr. Natalia Smirnova, UConn ECE Economics Faculty Coordinator

 

Students enrolled in the UConn Early College Experi­ence Economics courses at Trumbull High School visit­ed the Stamford campus on Thursday, March 26, 2026. Forty-five students and three UConn ECE Economics in­structors arrived in the early morning hours to take part in the extensive “Day at UConn Stamford” event. Many of those students are accepted to the University of Connecti­cut and plan to enroll in the Fall.

 

Stamford Campus Dean, Dr. Jennifer E. Orlikoff, wel­comed the group and set them up for an activity-packed day, which included the campus tour, career panel discus­sion, and attendance of an Economics class.

 

The career panel was moderated by Tara Malone, Direc­tor of the Center for Career Development at Stamford. Three Economics majors shared their experience of obtaining internships and jobs with the help of Career Fairs and Career Center events and services. The students, Liz Maia (’26), Kothan Nieves-Orama (’27), and Alex­ys Williams (’27), talked about the applicability of the Economics major to the broad job market. They answered high school students’ questions about the strategies to be employed at the undergraduate level to secure a job upon graduation. “It is not too early to engage in your career ex­ploration and utilize many resources available on campus to aid you in this endeavor,” was the overall message.

 

Students attended Dr. Knoblauch’s Industrial Organization class and Dr. Smirnova’s Principles of Macroeconomics class. Both classes were engaging and interactive. Trum­bull students were able to join forces with UConn students on various tasks and learn not only the economics materi­al, but also teamwork and communication skills.

 

These competencies are at the heart of Economics students’ preparation for successful careers. Trumbull High School Economics instructors, Mr. Brian Sprinsteen, Mr. Martin Mc­Grath, and Mr. Gregg Basbagill, com­mented that UConn students were leading the collaborative work during the exercises and were enthusiastically mentoring high schoolers.

 

Events like this support the outreach mission of the University and pro­mote cooperative spirit between UCo­nn and the local community.

 

 

By Maggie McGillicuddy UConn ECE Instructor, ERTH 1051: Earth’s Dynamic Planet, Torrington High School & Robert M. Thorson, Professor, Department of Earth Sciences, UConn ECE Earth Sciences Faculty Coordinator

 

This spring, an eager group of UCo­nn ECE students from Torrington High School attended a field trip to UConn Storrs Campus to enrich their course, ERTH 1051: Earth’s Dynamic Planet. The group was led by their teacher Maggie McGillicuddy, with help by Rick Dubois, UConn ECE certified physics instructor at Tor­rington High School. His insight was valuable as geophysics is an important part of the Earth Sciences.

 

The trip began in front of the historic Beach Hall, the headquarters for the Department of Earth Sciences. There, Carissa Rutkauskas, of the UConn ECE program staff, welcomed the stu­dents and informed them of upcom­ing events of the day. At that point, Professor Robert M. Thorson, Earth Science’s UConn ECE Faculty Coor­dinator, called the students’ attention to the sweeping view of Horse Barn Hill as a glacial landform, the disin­tegrating concrete as a consequence of sidewalk salt chemistry, and the trash bins being filled with single-use plastic containers as an example of our dependence on earth materials, in this case petroleum. All these things – landforms, architecture, manu­factured materials – fall within the purview of the Earth Sciences.

 

Heading inside, we were greeted by the Department Head Professor Tracy Frank, who encouraged the students to think about careers in the field. We also had a chance to meet several fac­ulty members, tour the research and teaching labs, see the ancient iron safe where cash tuition was likely kept, and visit Professor Thorson’s book- and rock-cluttered office.

 

One highlight of the trip was a guided tour of the Stone Pavilion, a tiny building built in 1937 that mimics the shape of a quartz crystal. The exterior walls and arched openings of this geo­heritage site are built with stones from all 169 towns in Connecticut, includ­ing one from the student’s hometown of Torrington. Inside the pavilion is an exhibit gallery of beautiful speci­men stones, one from each state in the nation.

 

The students then toured campus, nearly all of them for the first time. Their favorite spot was the Student Recreation Center, which has the tallest climbing wall in New England! After spending time in the UCo­nn Bookstore, everyone ate lunch in the Student Union food court. The final highlight was a visit to the world-famous UConn Dairy Bar for some ice cream.

 

All in all, it was a great day. The students rated it “11 out of 10!” and the instructors hope to make this an annual event. They set an example for other school visits to follow. We hope to see you next year.

By Janet Belval, CT State Director, CT Science Olympiad, UConn ECE Instructor at South Windsor High School

UConn Early College Experience was proud to host the 2026 Connecticut State Science Olym­piad Competition. This premier annual event brought together some of the brightest young minds from across the state to showcase their scientific skills, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork. The day was filled with immense excitement, collaboration, and intense competi­tion as these budding scientists left no stone unturned in their quest for victory.

 

Science Olympiad is a highly regarded competition that challenges students across a wide ar­ray of scientific disciplines, including biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and more. With an impressive lineup of more than 23 distinct events, the participants were required to exhibit rigorous content knowledge, innovation, and analytical thinking. Over 50 dedicated Science Olympiad teams from around the state prepared for months leading up to the event, showcas­ing a remarkable commitment to excellence.

 

Tournament Champions & Highlights

 

The battle for the state title showed incredible depth this season, culminating in a spectacular repeat victory.

 

Division C (High School): South Windsor High School fiercely defended their title to emerge once again as the Division C State Winners. They will advance to proudly represent Connecti­cut at the National Tournament.

 

Igniting Curiosity and Inspiring the Future

 

Participating in Science Olympiad is far more than just a bid for med­als. It is a profound opportunity for young minds to explore their passions and ignite a lifelong curiosity about the world around them. Teams are pushed to their limits in structural building and engineering events, and rigorous written examinations and hands-on experimental design.

 

Across the campus, the energy of dis­covery was undeniable. Visitors could witness everything from helicopters being flown to a high-stakes Foren­sic Crime Lab being run inside the Chemistry Building.

 

These are the exact hands-on, im­mersive experiences that create lasting memories for Connecticut students, actively inspiring them to step up and join the next generation of world-changing scientists. The overwhelming success of this year’s Connecticut Science Olympiad com­petition reflects the critical impor­tance of cultivating scientific curiosity in our schools. This massive under­taking would simply not be possible without the foundational support of dedicated coaches, passionate parent and community volunteers, and the exceptional staff of the UConn ECE program.

 

Final Standings & Special Recognitions

C DIVISION

Gold – South Windsor High School

Silver – Avon High School

Bronze – Staples High School

4th place – Wilton High School

Best New Team – West Haven High School

 

 

Introduction by Christopher Todd

Participant data by Cyndee McManaman, CT History Day Regional Coordinator

 

The University of Connecticut and the Office of Early College Programs are proud to support Connecticut History Day (CHD), an enriching program that empowers students to explore the past through rigorous research, thoughtful analysis, and creative expression. This year’s theme, “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History,” invited students to examine the dynamic forces that have shaped societies across time and place. By investigating moments of transformative change, the responses they inspired, and the reforms that followed, students gain a deeper understanding of how history informs the pres­ent. Through this partnership, UConn and Connecticut History Day foster the curiosity, critical thinking, and civic engagement that prepare the next generation of informed leaders to make meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond.

 

On Saturday, March 7th, UConn Storrs hosted 30 schools comprised of 29 educators and 514 students for the Mansfield Regional Connecticut History Day Contest. In total, 4,805 students participated in Con­necticut History Day contests this year, with the State Contest held at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) on Saturday, May 2nd.

 

56 Connecticut students traveled to the University of Maryland June 14–18, 2026, for the National History Day Contest, joining more than 2900 students from around the world. Fifteen Connecticut entries received awards or recognition at the National Contest; eight of these entries hailed from the Mansfield Region.

 

Cyndee McManaman, Mansfield Regional Coordinator: “I was happy to have new schools participate in History Day this year. The standards and inquiry-based skills students acquire and hone while completing a His­tory Day project speaks to the rigor embedded in the program. Watching students grow and improve throughout the contest season is powerful. Students aren’t just learning about the history of their chosen topic, but of our country’s and world’s history through the lens of the annual theme.”

 

Teacher quotes

History Day is a fantastic program that challenges students to develop a long-term project using a wide range of resources. As such, it requires persistence and time management, analytical skills when reading high-level text and historical documents and then adapting those resources into a high-quality project.

We encourage students to participate in History Day to engage in rigorous research and presentation of information. Students learn valuable skills all along the journey – academic research related, social, and personal.

 

Student quotes

I loved seeing other projects and gaining a better insight about other parts of history.

I truly enjoyed doing research and creating a nuanced understanding of history.

 

By Aidan Stimac, UConn Chemistry Graduate Student and Dr. Michael Kienzler, Assistant Professor of Chemistry

 

This spring, UConn Early College Experience welcomed nearly 200 high school students from across Connecticut to campus for two UConn ECE Chemistry Lab Days, held on April 30 and May 15, 2026. Together, these events brought students from eleven high schools into the University of Connecticut’s Chemistry Building for immersive, research-based laboratory experiences that connected classroom learning with university-level science.

 

The first event, held on April 30, welcomed more than 110 students from Rocky Hill High School, Academy of Information Technology High School, Northwest Catholic High School, Enfield High School, and Somers High School. A second session on May 15 brought an additional 78 students from Lewis S. Mills High School, Jonathan Law High School, Joseph A. Foran High School, The Woodstock Academy, Berlin High School, and Orville H. Platt High School.

 

These events were coordinated by the UConn Early College Experience Program Office and Dr. Fatma Selampinar, Professor in Residence and UConn ECE Chemistry Faculty Coordinator. Each day paired students with UConn faculty and graduate researchers, offering a firsthand look at the types of experiments and analytical techniques used in modern chemical research.

 

During the April 30th session, scientific activities were led by Assistant Professor Dr. Michael Kienzler. Following an introductory presentation, students moved into undergraduate teaching laboratories, where they synthesized derivatives of azobenzene, a compound known for its light-responsive, photoswitching properties. Using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and thin-layer chromatography, students analyzed the compounds they created, gaining insight into how chemical structure and light exposure influence molecular behavior. The experiments reflected ongoing research in Dr. Kienzler’s lab and in­troduced students to advanced meth­ods used in contemporary chemistry.

 

At the May 15 session, students engaged with research led by Dr. Jie He, Professor in the Department of Chemistry and the Polymer Program at UConn’s Institute of Materials Sci­ence. After learning about nanoparticle surface chemistry, students conducted experiments comparing untreated and modified nanoparticles. They observed how these materials responded under different conditions and used UV-visi­ble spectroscopy to link their observa­tions to quantitative data. The activity, based on current research in Dr. He’s lab, provided students with an authen­tic introduction to materials science and nanochemistry.

Across both events, students extended their learning beyond the laboratory bench through exposure to advanced instrumentation central to chemical research. Dr. Selampinar coordinated sessions on Nuclear Magnetic Res­onance (NMR) spectroscopy with facility director Dr. Luke Fulton, while graduate students from UConn’s Chemistry Department demonstrated techniques such as mass spectrometry and X-ray diffraction. These expe­riences helped students understand how chemists identify, analyze, and characterize materials using special­ized tools.

 

Together, the two UConn ECE Chem­istry Lab Days provided students with meaningful, hands-on opportunities to engage in college-level science while building connections with faculty, graduate students, and peers from across the state. By linking high school coursework with active re­search and laboratory practice, these events reflect the shared commitment of UConn ECE and the Department of Chemistry to expanding access to academic experiences and inspiring the next generation of scientists.