Today, August 1, in the Mali I lecture hall, approximately 60 middle- and high-school students graduated from the 2008 summer Connecticut Pre-Engineering program—CPEP—program. The students, from Hartford, East Hartford, Bloomfield, and Newington, spent the month of July in CETA’s facilities in United Technologies and Dana Halls studying math, science, language arts, and college preparedness. Having completed their studies, they made presentations (as shown above) about some of what they had learned and received certificates for completing the program. The students and their parents also heard from CETA Dean Louis Manzione (shown below) and Recruitment Manager Kelly Cofiel, who spoke about the opportunities open to students in this college and at the university, as well as Dr. Marty Leftoff, assistant principal of the University High School of Science and Engineering, who addressed the opportunities for students there. 
CPEP was founded in 1986 by a group of educators and engineers with the mission of helping “underrepresented students explore, prepare for and reach their full potential in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).” Exposing students to people who work in the STEM fields and providing hands-on programs to inspire them allows the students to connect their efforts at school to their future goals. CPEP programs now support students in 11 school districts in the state and serve over 1,000 students a year. For more information about CPEP’s programs, you can go to http://www.cpep.org/.
Each summer the focus of CPEP’s science classes changes. Last year, the topics including solar power and electronics. This year’s theme was genetics, and the students had the opportunity not just to study how genes work but to apply the principles they learned in crime-solving, among other things. The students also worked in groups to research a genetic theme, and today, each group presented what they had learned. Many of the presentations were about genetic illnesses such as sickle cell anemia, diabetes, and hemophilia, but one group explained how genetically modified foods work and another discussed cloning.
Not every day was spent studying. The students took a trip to a bowling alley—and learned about group dynamics. They also went to Lake Compounce. But when they were studying, hands-on learning went along with lectures. For instance, in their math class, in which the theme was permutations and combinations (supporting their study of genetics), the students made sandwiches out of paper one day to see how many possible combinations they could make. And as they studied genetics, they took a field trip to DNA EpiCenter in New London, Conn., where they learned to perform electrophoresis.
In addition to academic work, the students learned about preparing for college, including topics like what courses to take, how to choose a college, and how to find financial aid. The goal is to give the children choices about their future, to help them set and reach career goals. On July 30, Career Day, engineers from various fields came to CETA to speak to the students about what they do at work and how they became engineers. The photo to the right shows one of the speakers, an engineer who works for the Metropolitan District Commission, ensuring the safety and good taste of the water supply in Hartford and the surrounding communities.
The University of Hartford and CETA have opened our facilities to CPEP because we agree that STEM careers are excellent careers and that a diverse workforce can only increase the creativity and productivity in all the STEM fields. Over the course of several summers, many CETA faculty have taught units in their specialties for the program. Program Manager June Thomas (shown left), who oversees day-to-day operations says, “I can’t say enough about the support the University has given us. Here’s an institution that has opened its doors to so many minority and female students.”
CETA congratulates the students who completed this summer’s program and wishes them success in reaching their career goals.
CPEP was founded in 1986 by a group of educators and engineers with the mission of helping “underrepresented students explore, prepare for and reach their full potential in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).” Exposing students to people who work in the STEM fields and providing hands-on programs to inspire them allows the students to connect their efforts at school to their future goals. CPEP programs now support students in 11 school districts in the state and serve over 1,000 students a year. For more information about CPEP’s programs, you can go to http://www.cpep.org/.
Each summer the focus of CPEP’s science classes changes. Last year, the topics including solar power and electronics. This year’s theme was genetics, and the students had the opportunity not just to study how genes work but to apply the principles they learned in crime-solving, among other things. The students also worked in groups to research a genetic theme, and today, each group presented what they had learned. Many of the presentations were about genetic illnesses such as sickle cell anemia, diabetes, and hemophilia, but one group explained how genetically modified foods work and another discussed cloning.
Not every day was spent studying. The students took a trip to a bowling alley—and learned about group dynamics. They also went to Lake Compounce. But when they were studying, hands-on learning went along with lectures. For instance, in their math class, in which the theme was permutations and combinations (supporting their study of genetics), the students made sandwiches out of paper one day to see how many possible combinations they could make. And as they studied genetics, they took a field trip to DNA EpiCenter in New London, Conn., where they learned to perform electrophoresis.
In addition to academic work, the students learned about preparing for college, including topics like what courses to take, how to choose a college, and how to find financial aid. The goal is to give the children choices about their future, to help them set and reach career goals. On July 30, Career Day, engineers from various fields came to CETA to speak to the students about what they do at work and how they became engineers. The photo to the right shows one of the speakers, an engineer who works for the Metropolitan District Commission, ensuring the safety and good taste of the water supply in Hartford and the surrounding communities.
The University of Hartford and CETA have opened our facilities to CPEP because we agree that STEM careers are excellent careers and that a diverse workforce can only increase the creativity and productivity in all the STEM fields. Over the course of several summers, many CETA faculty have taught units in their specialties for the program. Program Manager June Thomas (shown left), who oversees day-to-day operations says, “I can’t say enough about the support the University has given us. Here’s an institution that has opened its doors to so many minority and female students.”CETA congratulates the students who completed this summer’s program and wishes them success in reaching their career goals.
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