Author: Carissa Rutkauskas

2024 UConn ECE German Immersion Day and Quiz Bowl

 

By Jessica Dunn

 

On November 20th, the UConn ECE Program Office, in collaboration with Dr. Anke Finger, the UConn ECE German Faculty Coordinator, hosted an exciting and educational student event: the UConn ECE German Immersion Day & Quiz Bowl. This event marked the culmination of UCo­nn ECE’s Fall 2024 Language Days series, offering students a unique opportunity to enhance their language skills in Italian, French, and German, while also celebrating the rich cultural traditions associated with each language.

 

The German day began with a warm welcome from Dr. Anke Finger, who introduced the event’s format and expressed her excitement for the day’s activities. She welcomed all the participating high schools from across the state to UConn. The event brought in a diverse group of students, with the closest attendees from neighboring E.O. Smith High School, followed by East Lyme High School, and schools from the southwest corner of the state, including Staples High School and Wilton High School.

 

Dr. Finger’s opening remarks were followed by an eye-opening keynote address from Isabel Sterett, a senior in UConn’s Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) program, who shared her personal experience studying abroad in Germany. Isabel, who had never studied German before coming to UConn, recounted her transformative journey as part of UConn’s EUROTECH program. She spoke about her time in Germany, where she studied both German and engineering, participated in an internship, and explored German culture through activities like attending Oktoberfest, skiing in the Swiss Alps, and visiting landmarks in Berlin. Her internship at BMW’s additive manufacturing campus in Munich also provided invaluable international experience, emphasizing the benefits of pursuing degrees and careers with a global perspective.

Following the keynote, students participated in smaller immersion sessions led by Graduate Assis­tants in the UConn German Department. Students explored get-to-know games in German and learned about some of the teaching approaches in the program. Dr. Finger then led a short career session, highlighting over 150 German companies in Connecticut eager to offer internships and hire program graduates.

 

Just as the career discussion wrapped up, a surprise visit from Jonathan XIV and Jonathan XV brought excitement to the event. The dogs, on their daily walk through campus, stopped by the theater to greet attendees, creating the perfect transition before the afternoon’s head-to-head com­petition.

 

The highlight of the day was the highly anticipated Quiz Bowl, where teams of students tested their knowledge of German language, history, and culture. The Quiz Bowl consisted of six rounds of competition where each team played against each other twice. Teams from East Lyme High School, Staples High School, and Wilton High School competed fiercely, vying for the top spots.

In the championship round, Staples High School emerged vic­toriously, earning 1st place with 14 points. Wilton High School secured 2nd place with 9 points, while East Lyme High School rounded out the top three with 3rd place and 4 points. The event not only celebrated academic achievements, but also fostered a sense of community and cultural exchange among students from different regions of Connecticut.

 

The UConn ECE German Immersion Day & Quiz Bowl exem­plified UConn’s dedication to enriching students’ educational experiences and encouraging global awareness. Through en­gaging activities like the Quiz Bowl and inspiring presentations like Isabel’s keynote, students gained valuable insights into the importance of language learning and the benefits of an interna­tional perspective.

 

 

 

Exploring the Depths

UConn
ECE Marine Science
Symposium
Showcases Student
Research

May 22 & 28, 2025
The 2025 UConn Early College Experience Marine Science Symposium made waves this spring at the UConn Avery Point Campus. With growing interest and over 175 student participants, the event expanded to two dates—May 22 and May 28—to accommodate the impressive turnout of UConn ECE student researchers and marine science enthusiasts from high schools across Connecticut.

Hosted on the scenic shores of Long Island Sound, the symposium provided an inspiring platform for high school students enrolled in UConn’s ECE Marine Science courses (MARN1001E: The Sea Around Us and MARN1003E: Introduction to Oceanography with Lab) to showcase the results of their year long research projects. Six schools participated in this year’s event: University High School of Science and Engineering, Marine Science Magnet High School, Waterford High School, Ledyard High School, The Morgan School, and The Sound School.

Students presented their work through a combination of oral presentations and detailed scientific posters. Research topics ranged from micro-plastic pollution and marine biodiversity to the impacts of climate change on coastal ecosystems. The diversity of subjects reflected not only the rigor of the student projects but also the enthusiasm and curiosity these young scientists bring to the field of marine science.

By splitting the schools between two dates, the symposium offered a more focused and engaging experience, allowing for deeper discussions, peer-to-peer feedback, and meaningful interactions with UConn faculty and marine science professionals. This format helped bridge classroom learning with the real-world application of scientific research.

Events like the Marine Science Symposium exemplify the power of experiential education. Students walked away with more than just academic credit—they gained confidence, presentation skills, and a genuine sense of belonging in the scientific community. Their work was not only ambitious and well researched but also impressively presented, showcasing a high level of professionalism and
dedication.

 

UConn ECE Student Events During the Fall 2024 Semester

 

By Jessica Dunn

 

This map of Connecticut highlights the high schools that participated in UConn ECE student events during the Fall 2024 semester. Each marker represents a school that sent students to a specific event, providing a visual representation of regional participation across the state. The map also reflects the diverse range of schools involved, from urban centers to rural areas, illustrating the broad engagement in these student events offered so far this year. The widespread participation is a testament to the dedication of UConn ECE Instructors and Students and their commitment to excellence and growth. We look forward to expanding our reach and encourage all high schools to take advantage of the valuable opportunities available to students across various disciplines.

 

 

Neag School Hosts ECE Day for 116 High School Students

 

By Mikala Kane, Director of Communications & Digital Strategy, UConn Neag School of Education

 

Eight Districts Bring EDCI 1100, EPSY 1100, and EDLR 2001 Students to Storrs

 

In October, the UConn Neag School of Education hosted nine high schools that offer its Early College Experience courses in Storrs for a day. The 116 high schoolers in attendance learned more about the University, the Neag School, and potential ca­reers in education and sport management.

 

“Expanding our Early College Experience courses offered through the Neag School has been a priority for me,” Dean Jason G. Irizarry says. “In 2023-2024, our four courses provided the opportunity to earn college credits to 669 high schoolers in 25 districts. I’m thrilled Neag School faculty and staff organized an ECE Day for some of the students currently enrolled in our courses.”

 

Irizarry kicked off the day’s program, welcoming students and teachers from Bristol, East Hampton, Enfield, Farmington, Mil­ford, New Britain, Plainville, and Trumbull. All either teach or take EDCI 1100: If You Love It, Teach It; EDLR 2001: Contem­porary Issues in Sport; or EPSY 1100: Introduction to Special Education.

The group then heard an overview of the Neag School from ECE faculty coordinators and professors, as well as Assistant Director of Student Support Dominique Battle-Lawson and Academic Advisor Sydnee Jones.

 

“The Neag School continues to prioritize Early College Experi­ence as an opportunity to connect with high school students,” says assistant professor in residence Danielle DeRosa, who is also one of the School’s ECE faculty coordinators. “We want­ed the opportunity to bring ECE students who are taking our courses to campus so they could get a taste for campus life and learn more about the Neag School.”

 

Around midmorning, students enjoyed tours of campus and the athletics facilities before attending one of two panels: either about the Integrated Bachelor’s/Master’s Teacher Education Program or the Sport Management Program.

 

Both panels were organized and led by current Neag School students. Cece Echevarria ’25 (ED), ’26 MA; Anneliese Ide ’26 (ED), ’27 MA; Eben Hikade ’25 (ED), ’26 MA; Brynn Madonna ’25 (ED), ’26 MA; and Logan McCallum Laval ’24 (ED), ’25 MA spoke on the teach­er education panel, while Paige Bjerke ’26 (ED), Teddi Ferraro ’25 (ED), Jake Steinberg ’26 (ED), Donte’ Carter ’26 (ED), and Ava Inesta ’26 (ED) offered insight as part of the sport management panel.

 

“The students asked insightful questions that allowed current Neag School students to share their advice and experiences of what to expect from both the University and our programs specifically,” says McCallum Laval, who also helped coordinate and host the day’s activities. “We hope to continue this event for years to come.”

“We hope the high school students and their teachers were able to learn more about UConn, the Neag School, and our programs, faculty, staff, and current students,” says Ann Traynor, assistant dean and certification offi­cer for the Neag School.

 

“Neag Day was an invaluable experience for my stu­dents,” says Molly Anderson, an educator from Jona­than Law High School in Milford. “The visit sparked an excitement about life after high school, and my students are still talking about it. It’s undoubtedly one of the highlights of being part of the Neag School’s ECE community.”

 

Seeds of Success: Nuturing students’ potential through UConn PCS

 

By Abigail Piotrowicz, UConn Pre-College Summer Program Assistant

 

Deciding what comes next after high school can be a daunting task. With so many po­tential paths to take, from college to careers to personal passions, the choices often feel endless. With ten years under our belt since we first opened our doors to students, we at UConn Pre-College Summer, (PCS) under­stand the challenges these questions pose when students are considering their future. That’s why we offer a unique opportunity for high school students from around the world to experience college life, explore new interests, and connect with a vibrant academic community all on the Storrs campus.

 

At UConn PCS, our mission is to provide students with an exploratory experience that helps them engage with college life while reflecting on which path might be right for them. To support this mission, in the last year we have focused on implementing ad­ditional program resources for students and families that are commit­ted to providing a range of opportunities to guide students on their journey toward success.

 

One measure of how we aim to provide our students the greatest number of resources is by offering the most courses our program has offered in its history. This past summer, we offered a to­tal of 29 different courses spanning over sever­al topics and subjects ranging from Agriculture, Health, & Natural Resources, Fine Arts and Digital Media, Engineering, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Phar­macy and Pre-Med.

 

Alongside the vast number of courses offered last summer, UConn PCS offers exploratory workshops for students to engage in during the week to further explore and navigate academic, extracurricular and leadership sources. A few examples of workshop topics offered were “Breaking Down Barriers: You CAN Study Abroad!”, “Leading the Way to Getting an A”, “Promoting Mental Health”, “Nutrition for College Students”, “Mirroring in Communication”, “The Art of Crafting a Compelling College Essay”, “Professor! I Need to Get an A in My Class!”, “Personal Leadership Plan”, “UConn Campus Tour and Information Session”, “Who Am I? The Power of Me?”, “Using Your Voice: Self-Advoca­cy in College”.

Prior to the start of the summer program, UConn PCS introduced its first-ever Open House event in March! Open House was designed to give prospective students and their families a closer look at the program and UConn campus. Attendees had the opportunity to interact directly with UConn PCS instructors, program administrators and former summer residential staff to better understand what participating in the program would encompass.

 

Open House began with a brief presentation for families about the program in Lawrence D. Mchugh Hall, followed by a community Q&A session where participants could submit questions for our team to answer. Afterward, families were invited to have lunch at Israel Putnam Refractory to experience the dining halls where students dine during the summer. Finally, we concluded with a guided tour of the UConn campus, so families could get an insider perspective at the spaces students utilize during their time in the program.

 

In conjunction with our open house event, we were pleased to debut our Career Fair, which brought together program participants, UCo­nn staff, faculty, and professionals from a wide range of fields. This event provided students with valuable career insights, expert advice, and the opportunity to engage directly with industry leaders. It also allowed students to explore potential career paths and gain a clearer understanding of the professional landscape across various disciplines. By interacting with professionals from diverse industries, students acquired practical knowledge and guidance that will support their career development.

 

Each year, UConn PCS is dedicated to helping students discover their passions and reach their full potential. By immersing students in UConn’s campus and academic community, we’ve created a supportive environment for students to grow, explore and discover the possibilities of tomorrow.

 

If you are interested in learning more about UConn Pre-College Summer visit pcs.uconn.edu, call our office at 860-486-0149 and or email us atpcs@uconn.edu

 

Empowering Student Leaders: The Growth of the ECE Ambassador Prog

 

By Christ-Anne Jean-Francois, UConn Student Administrative Assistant

 

Since its inception 9 years ago, the UConn ECE Ambassa­dor Program has grown significantly. This extracurricular opportunity plays a crucial role within the UConn Early College Experience Program, where ambassadors actively assist with ECE marketing and administration, support fellow students, and collaborate with Site Representatives at their high schools. In recent years, we’ve expanded their responsibilities to make them more interactive and present on the front lines of our social media platforms and publications.

This year, we have 35 ECE Ambassadors representing 27 schools across Connecticut. Our ambassadors are primarily seniors, with 30 seniors, 3 juniors, and 2 sophomores mak­ing up this year’s cohort.

 

Some of the initiatives that ambassadors have contributed to recently—and will continue to participate in this year—in­clude the ECE Student Advice Column, where ambassadors share tips and insights for success in the program. They also participate in Ambassador Spotlights, allowing each ambassador to highlight their personal achievements and goals, and showcase their experiences with ECE. Addition­ally, ECE Instagram Takeovers give students a chance to provide a behind-the-scenes look at their daily lives as ECE students, sharing updates, advice, and glimpses into their classes and extracurricular activities.

 

Ambassadors are also involved in semester reports, provid­ing updates on what’s happening in their classrooms and UConn courses. During the fall term, they assist teachers with student registration, supporting a smooth enrollment process.

 

The UConn ECE Ambassador Program is an excellent leadership opportunity, and it’s rewarding to see the impact on our students’ futures. Through our intake process, we’ve learned that all of our ambassadors plan to attend a four-year university after high school. This program not only cultivates leadership skills but also serves as an inspiring pathway for other students who share similar values and aspirations to get involved in their schools and the UConn ECE Program.

2024 Annual Site Representative Conference

 

By Todd Blodgett

 

The annual Site Representative Conference was held this May at the UConn Storrs campus. The Early College Experience (ECE) program staff hosted 190 Site Representatives from 155 of our partner high schools. The morning kicked off with a plenary session focusing on Promising Practices at Partner Schools. Representatives from Glastonbury Public Schools, East Lyme High School, Rockville High School and University High School of Science and Engineering discussed ways they are expanding their concurrent and dual enrollment opportunities at their schools. They shared an approach that focused on creating diverse course offerings to meet the unique needs of their high school populations. Site Representatives attended breakout sessions which focused on high school specific program data, expanding access to course offerings, registration 101, a Q&A with a panel of former UConn ECE students, and information from UConn’s Center for Students with Disabilities. The conference ended with a barbecue lunch on the Student Union Terrace for attendees to enjoy a beautiful, sunny day on the Storrs campus. We look forward to having everyone back on the Storrs campus next year.

 

We challenged our community to submit artwork…

 

…with the prompt: Growth Mindset: Doubling Down on Success and received many fabulous submissions

 

First Place: cover

Akira Gunawan, New Britain High School
Shooting for Success, original photo
Cultivate your life and take the shot. Jackson Forte (#2) takes a three pointer amongst his peers waiting for the game winner.

Second Place

Alexis Mastrangelo, Enfield High School
T.P.C., acrylic on canvas
I created this piece centered around childhood and nostalgia… The moment captured in my painting is intended to provoke many different feelings, one being success. While it is very icky, I will always remember the day I joined the Toad Pee Club.

Third Place

Shelby Lewis, Ridgefield High School
Ocean, acrylic on canvas
The Sea at night. An acrylic painting on canvas, the sea at night.

Course Offerings and Expanded Access

 

By Christopher Todd

 

One of the most important fundamental principles in public policy is that the more complex a change, the less one can force that change upon stakeholders. Look to any state or federal education mandate, and one can understand the complexity of change. Simply mandating or forcing students to take advantage of the multitude of dual credit opportunities their school provides doesn’t lead to success. However, creating a robust catalog of offerings that allows for choice, and aligns with student interests will ultimately shift the landscape of dual credit opportunities in Connecticut.

 

In his book “Inquiry Mindset”, Trevor Mackenzie writes Passions create opportunities for deeper learn­ing as students are highly motivated and willing to explore them further. Their proper knowledge of the topic accelerates and amplifies their inquiry. Student interest and passion must drive the opportunities we look to create in an expanded course catalog. As the UConn ECE program quickly approaches 100 unique UConn course offerings, the program stands on the precipice of determining which new courses to add to our catalog, and as such, advocates with the appropriate university leadership within corre­sponding disciplines. The program will continue to look for disciplinary gaps in our course offerings and will work to bring in new course offerings that align with partner school needs, relevant career pathway pursuits, and most importantly student interests and passions.

 

Taking this into consideration, the UConn ECE program is excited to share new course offerings available during the forthcoming 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years. These courses align with the program’s strategic vision of expanding course offerings in a way that addresses both disciplinary gaps and student interests and needs.

 

ASLN 1102: Elementary American Sign Language II (4 credits)

Continued development of basic knowledge and understanding of conversational ASL.

BUSN 2235: Personal Financial Literacy (3 credits)

Introduction to essential topics in personal finance for individuals and entrepreneurs. Financial literacy, personal finance topics including recordkeeping, budgeting, risk, insurance, credit, purchasing decisions, savings/invest­ment options, income taxation of individuals and small businesses, and retirement savings.

CHIN 3210: Chinese Conversa­tion and Composition I (3 credits)

Development of ability to communicate in Chinese, orally and in writing.

CHIN 3211: Chinese Conversations and Composition II (3 credits)

Development of ability to communicate in Chinese, orally and in writing.

CSE 1010: Introduction to Computing for Engineers (3 credits)

Introduction to computing logic, algorithmic thinking, computing processes, a programming language and computing environment. Knowledge obtained in this course enables use of the computer as an instrument to solve computing problems. Representative problems from science, mathematics, and engineering will be solved.

KINS 1100: Exercise and Wellness for Everyone (3 credits)

Overview of the five pillars of health (exercise, nutrition, sleep, stress and relationships); role of exercise in health promotion and disease prevention across the lifes­pan; impacts of exercise in leisure time, culture, community, careers and the workplace.

MATH 1070Q: Mathematics for Business and Economics (3 credits)

Linear equations and inequali­ties, matrices, systems of linear equations, and linear program­ming; sets, counting, probability and statistics; mathematics of finance; applications to business and economics.

PUBH 1001: Introduction to Public Health (3 credits)

This course describes the history, philosophy, and science of public health. Students will identify biological, environmental, and social determinants of health from a comprehensive perspective. They will apply these principles to define health problems, evaluate possible causes, and recommend effective public health responses to health concerns. By doing so, students will learn about career opportunities and the complementary role public health plays with health care and voluntary and governmental organizations in protecting the public’s health.

To learn more about each course offering and UConn ECE Instructor requirements, we encourage you to visit our entire course catalog.

 

Addendum

ME 3295: Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering (3 credits)
  • SolidWorks for Industrial Design option
  • AutoCAD for Industrial Design option
NUSC 1165: Fundamentals of Nutrition (3 credits)
An introduction to the principles and concepts of nutrition with emphasis on the nature and function of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals and vitamins, and their application to the human organism.
ARE 1110E: Population, Food, and the Environment (3 credits)

The role of agriculture in the growth and development of societies throughout the world. Economic, social, and environmental problems of food production and resource needs in developing and advanced societies.


 

Teacher Appreciation

 

By Carissa Rutkauskas

 

National Teacher Appreciation Day was May 7 and National Teacher Appreciation Week was May 6-10. For UConn ECE, we are extending our teacher appreciation and recognition throughout the summer! After receiving hundreds of instructor nominations from UConn ECE students, we are recognizing our top 15 most frequently nominated UConn ECE Instructors on our social media over the summer months. These exemplary educators also received their choice of a UConn ECE hoodie or a UConn ECE insolated picnic basket. Below is a snapshot of what students had to say about their UConn ECE Instructors.

 

Mrs. Altimari, Amity Regional High School, SPAN3178 & 3179: Intermediate Spanish Composition & Spanish Conversation: Cultural Topics - Mrs. Altimari is the brightest, friendliest, and warmest ray of sunshine I have ever met. She’s helped me so much with my fluency in Spanish while still making sure the class is stress free, fun, and engaging. She isn’t happy unless you’re happy, and she’s the best teacher I have had.

 

Mrs. Caruk, Hall High School, BIOL1108: Principles of Biology II - Her ability to plan out her entire year and execute that plan is always done flawlessly. She gives her students plenty of time to prepare for their exams while being available for extra help very often.

 

Mr. Condosta, Ridgefield High School, ERTH1051: Earth’s Dynamic Environment - He has a personality that could light up any room, enthusiasm and a true love for the subject that is contagious. Every day I walk into his classroom, I walk in smiling, and by the time I leave it’s always too soon.

 

Mr. Dempsey, St. Joseph High School, HIST1502: United States History Since 1877 - Mr. Dempsey is the best!! Such a dedicated teacher who puts a lot of effort into presenting slides, grading research papers, exams and projects while having the best jokes and sarcasm!!!

 

Mr. Fagan, Rocky Hill High School, PHYS1201Q: General Physics I - I am able to understand even the most complex topics because Mr. Fagan breaks it down in a way that makes sense logically. He is very encouraging and believes that everyone is capable of doing well!!

 

Ms. Field, South Windsor High School, MARN1003E: Introduction to Oceanography with Laboratory; NRE1000E: Environmental Science - Not only has she given us inspiration to lead our lives both inside and outside of the classroom, she is able to give us critical constructive criticism that improves both our writing and abilities to creatively think of different solutions for problems that we face in class.

 

Dr. Harvey, Wilton High School, ENGL1007: Seminar and Studio in Academic Writing and Multimodal Com­position - Dr. Harvey makes UConn English one of the most enjoyable classes I have ever taken. I look forward to coming to class every day because although the course is challenging, she always makes sure that her students are enjoying learning.

 

Mr. Mizak, Harvard H. Ellis Technical High School, ECON1000: Essentials of Economics - As a student who struggles to keep up, in a class as high octane as his is, I find Mr. Mizak to be an instructor who knows the value of hard work and perseverance, an instructor that can instill a good work ethic through meaningful lessons and hard objectives. Through class discussion and meaningful dialogue in a classroom that promotes a difference in opinion and an equal work environment, Mr. Mizak is hands down the best teacher I’ve had in years.

 

Mrs. Niles, Lyman Hall High School, HDFS1070: Individual & Family Development - Ms. Niles is very kind and cares about her students. She creates fun lessons that are engaging for every student to help us learn the topic at hand.

 

Mrs. Norige, Torrington High School, BIOL1107 & 1108: Principles of Biology I & II; SPSS 3230: Biotech­nology- Science, Application, Impact, Perception - I am so grateful to have a teacher that cares for her students education as much as Mrs. Norige. She not only imparts knowledge but also nurtures a love of learning, instills confidence in her students, and prepares them for success both academically and personally.

 

Ms. Schager, Staples High School, HRTS1007: Introduction to Human Rights - The class feels incredibly personal and uplifting while also being a rightful challenge. The amount of writing and research I’ve had to do is almost unparalleled as of recently, and I love doing the work so much.

 

Ms. Turcotte, Jonathan Law High School, CHEM1128Q: General Chemistry II - She is really passionate about what she does and she shares/spreads that energy to us. She also makes our class really fun and feel like a family.

 

Mrs. Walston, The Morgan School, PHYS1201Q: General Physics I - She always teaches with so much energy and enthusiasm that makes the whole class excited and engaged to learn.

 

Mr. Wilson, East Haven High School, POLS1602: Introduction to American Politics - Mr. Wilson is an amaz­ing teacher and friend to all, making our learning experience not only fun, but also engaging. His use of humor and engagement with the class is unlike any other history teacher I’ve had, and it’s clear he loves his job.

 

Mr. Wisniewski, Berlin High School, BIOL1107: Principles of Biology I - Mr. Wisniewski always finds ways to connect with his classes in a more casual/personal way than any other teacher I’ve seen, and he encourages his students to personalize his room a bit, make it a bit more homier for everyone. He also gives the best concise notes I’ve ever taken for a course of this difficulty, and I’m really glad that I had the privilege of being a student of his this year!