InnovateCT

We kick off season 4 of the InnovateCT podcast with an absolutely unique experience. When was the last time you visited somewhere and saw something that was nothing like you had ever seen before? That is the feeling you will have when you visit the American Mural Project in Winsted, Connecticut. This 5 story, 120 foot long mural is dedicated to the American worker and is a must see for people of all ages including children. The project is the work of artist, Ellen Griesedieck. Ellen has a passion for storytelling, sharing people's career stories and education. All of this comes together at the American Mural Project which will be opened officially as a museum in spring of 2022. In this episode we sit down with Ellen and her director of development, Mimi Madden to discuss how this amazing piece of art came to be, what their plans are for the future and how they are empowering and inspiring children through their school programs. Educators should absolutely look into the American Mural Project as field trip or as a place to recommend to your students for additional extracurricular activities. Learn more by checking out their website: American Mural Project

Season 3, episode 5 of the InnovateCT Podcast features Nick Villagra and Andrew Fotta from the Connecticut Science Center. These two STEM educators share information with us about some of the resources they offer at the Connecticut Science Center including their brand new podcast and other virtual resources for both educators and students. Podcast Episodes can be found on the CT Science Center’s blog “Down to a Science”: https://ctsciencecenter.org/blog-1/ You can learn more about these resources and the Connecticut Science Center at https://ctsciencecenter.org/

Season 3, Episode 4 of the InnovateCT Podcast features Jennifer Murphy from the University of Connecticut's Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. As the director of this organization, Jennifer shares the mission of CCEI and discusses some of the fantastic programs available to students at UConn. We also discuss how CCEI is supporting the broader innovation and education ecosystem in Connecticut. If you want to connect with Jennifer or learn more about CCEI, please follow the links below. Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation: https://ccei.uconn.edu/ Jennifer Murphy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-murphy-378b1924/

Season 3, Episode 3 of the InnovateCT Podcast features David Noble, Director of The Werth Institute at the University of Connecticut. We discuss David's background, his role at UConn and the purpose of The Werth Institute. We also discuss why entrepreneurship and innovation is so critical to the University of Connecticut and the state of Connecticut. To learn more about David, please visit his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-noble-werth/ To learn more about The Werth Institute, please visit their website: https://entrepreneurship.uconn.edu/entrepreneurship-at-uconn/werth-institute/

Season 3, episode 2 of the InnovateCT podcast is a webinar I hosted with 2 amazing educators discussing how helping students understand their interests impacts their future careers. Our hope is this discussion provides you with some ideas during the COVID-19 situation and the difficult situation we all find ourselves in. These experts, Elizabeth Radday and Ashley Pereira discuss how helping students understand their interests impacts their future careers. You can learn more about Liz and Ashley including their organizations by following the links below. Skills 21 Personal Interest Project (PIP): https://pip.skills21.org/ Elizabeth Radday on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-radday-41720299/ Career In Stem: https://careerinstem.com/ Carer In Stem Free Resources: https://careerinstem.com/free/ Ashley Pereira on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleymooneypereira/

Season 3, episode 1 of the InnovateCT podcast is a webinar I hosted with 4 amazing educators about distance learning best practices. Our hope is this discussion provides you with some ideas for distance learning during the COVID-19 situation and the difficult situation we all find ourselves in. These experts (Melissa Thom, Michaela Durand, Taylor Wrye and Jessica Miller) from across the education landscape shared best practices to help educators, students and parents. Links below to some of the resources they recommended! Screencastify: https://www.screencastify.com/ Flipgrid: https://info.flipgrid.com/ Innovator's Mindset Book: https://georgecouros.ca/blog/the-innovators-mindset-book

We had the opportunity to speak with Rachel Smith, Technology Integration Instructor at Newtown Middle School during the 2019 CECA CASL conference in Hartford, CT. It was fantastic to hear about Rachel's work in the classroom as well as her work with artificial intelligence outside the classroom. She is part of a group of educators working on developing standards and curriculum for artificial intelligence. This important work will help students across the United States. To learn more about her work and all the other amazing things she is doing for Connecticut education, look for her on Twitter. Enjoy the episode!

Season 2, Episode 5 was recorded at the CECA CASL 2019 conference in Hartford Connecticut. We had the opportunity to sit down with Melissa Thom, middle school librarian in West Hartford. Melissa shares her career journey to becoming a librarian before we dive into all things libraries and books. You can find more of Melissa's great work on her website: www.melissathom.com Melissa is also a volunteer for the CECA CASL conference which was putting on the conference where we recorded the podcast. To learn more, visit either of their websites: CECA or CASL

We are back with season 2, episode 4 of the InnovateCT podcast. This episode we have the opportunity to speak with Elizabeth Radday, Research Specialist at Skills 21 at EdAdvance. Skills 21 delivers programs that increase academic achievement, lead to improved 21st century skills, impact students interest in STEM, and help students collaborate with peers from different backgrounds. Elizabeth shares her background with us before diving into her role at Skills 21. We also hear about Expofest, their 1 day innovation showcase for students. If you want to learn more about any of the topics discussed, please visit www.skills21.org.

We took a little break for the summer, but are now back with a fantastic guest. Patrica Gans is the executive director of Random Hacks of Kindness Jr. This organization brings young people hands-on learning experiences where they can apply technology to achieve a social good. Patrice started RHOK Jr. to help promote STEM education and coding with 4th through 8th graders through one day events called hack-a-thons. In this episode we learn how Patrice's career path took her to RHOK Jr. and how you can get involved with this great organization. Follow the link below to learn more about RHOK Jr. Random Hacks of Kindess Jr.

Episode 2 of our 2nd season of the InnovateCT Podcast features Paul Holzer. Paul is the Executive Director at Achieve Hartford. Their mission is to close the opportunity and achievement gap in Hartford and build a viable talent pipeline for our region and state. We learn about Paul, the organization and how you can get involved. Check out the link to their website below and enjoy the podcast! https://www.achievehartford.org/ https://www.allinhartford.org/

Welcome to Season 2 of the InnovateCT Podcast. Episode 1 of season 2 kicks off with our guest host Rana Arshed Hafiz. She interviews the Director of Holberton School New Haven, Nadine Krause. They discuss the innovative new Holberton School in New Haven, CT and how to address the tech talent shortage in Connecticut. To learn more about Holberton School New Haven, follow the link below: Holberton School New Haven

Episode 22 of the InnovateCT Podcast features Mark Mathias, Founder and President at Remarkable STEAM. Mark is also the creator of the Westport Maker Faire. He discusses education in Connecticut, the future of learning and the Westport Maker Faire with our guest host Rana Arshed Hafiz. To learn more about the Westport Maker Faire, follow the link below: https://westport.makerfaire.com/

Episode 21 of the InnovateCT Podcast features Kate Haydon, Director of Academy Development at NAF. NAF is a national network of education, business, and community leaders who work together to ensure high school students are college, career, and future ready. Kate is responsible for helping schools become NAF academies across the United States. In this episode, she shares the history of NAF, their mission, the process to become an academy and what it means to be part of the NAF family of schools. Connecticut currently has 8 NAF academies with over 1800 students enrolled. To learn more about NAF, visit their website www.NAF.org

Episode 20 of the InnovateCT Podcast features Jackie Heftman, Board of Ed Member for Stamford Public Schools . The interview is conducted by our guest host, Rana Arshed Hafiz, educator and community worker in Connecticut for over 20 years. We learn about the Stamford school system as well as the challenges our state faces around inequality and education funding. The wide ranging interview is a must listen for any educator here in Connecticut.

Episode 19 of the InnovateCT Podcast features Dr.  Colleen Palmer, Superintendent of Westport Public Schools.  Dr. Palmer was also named Superintendent of the Year in 2016 by CAPSS - Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents.  The interview is conducted by our guest host, Rana Arshed Hafiz, educator and community worker in Connecticut for over 20 years. The interview covers a wide range of topics about education in the state of Connecticut. 

Episode 18 of the InnovateCT Podcast features Jaquelynn Garofano. Jackie is a PHD scientist, program manager of a very prestigious leadership development program and STEM enthusiast. We hear about Jackie's career story from high school to her current position. We learn about her passion for STEM and giving back to people in the STEM field. Jackie shares some fantastic advice for those looking to be in a STEM career. Enjoy the podcast! #innovateCT #stateofinnovation #educationinCT

Episode 17 of the InnovateCT Podcast features Regan Allan, Programs Coordinator at the Stamford Public Education Foundation. The interview is conducted by our guest host, Rana Arshed Hafiz, educator and community worker in Connecticut for over 20 years. They discuss a wide variety of topics affecting the state of education here in Connecticut.

Episode 16 of the InnovateCT podcast features Nicholas Julian Caplan. Nicholas is involved in many different initiatives related to education and innovation in Connecticut and we thrilled he made the time discuss all 4. Check out the websites below for his different projects. https://www.launchisland.com/ - Launch Island - Entrepreneurship For Amazing Kids https://www.startupgrind.com/new-haven/ - Startup Grind New Haven - Fireside Chats https://nhvshowandtell.com/ - New Haven Show and Tell - Show and Tell for Grown-Ups https://www.assessyournetwork.com/ - Assess Your Network by Team Good - Understand Your Network, Strengthen Your Community

Episode 15 of the InnovateCT Podcast features Riley Fitzpatrick who is a high school student here in Connecticut. Riley shares his experience with the Skills 21 program https://www.skills21.org/about and how it led him to start his own business called Humansite https://twitter.com/Humansight_

InnovateCT speaks with Jonathan Moore and Ryan O'Conner about OPIM Innovate at UConn and the power of academic/industry partnerships. Learn more by following the link below. https://innovate.business.uconn.edu/

InnovateCT speaks with Tony Vengrove, founder of Miles Fitch Innovation and Makery Coworking. We discuss his career, passion for innovation and how he is helping Connecticut. Learn more about Makery Coworking by following the link below! http://www.makerycoworking.com

Patrick Whalen from the Nutmeg Institute sits down with InnovateCT to discuss storytelling, film making and creators in Connecticut. He shares how he and his two partners created Nutmeg Institute and how they inspire the creators of tomorrow with the storytellers of today. Follow the link below to their website if you would like to hear about future events or to learn more about getting involved. https://www.nutmeginstitute.com/

In episode 11 of the InnovateCT Podcast we shift our focus to the Makerspace movement and speak with Devra Sisitsky of MakerspaceCT. Devra is the driving force and founder of this new makerspace in downtown Hartford scheduled to open this winter! Learn more by listening and following the link below. https://makerspacect.com/

To celebrate 10 episodes of the InnovateCT Podcast we sat down with David Salinas. David is the visionary behind The District in New Haven and recently announced the Holberton School will be setting up their 2nd school in his facility! In this in depth interview, we hear about David's past, why he launched The District and how the Holberton School will change education and Connecticut. Follow the links below to learn more about The District and Holberton School. www.districtnhv.com www.holbertonschool.com

We are back with Episode 9 of the InnovateCT Podcast! Excited to share our interview with Caroline Smith and Margaret Lee, co-directors of Collab, an accelerator in New Haven, CT. These two Yale graduates are doing big things for Connecticut and helping grow our innovation ecosystem. Enjoy the interview! If you would like to learn more about Collab, please follow the link below! https://collabnewhaven.org/

Episode 8 of the InnovateCT Podcast features Aasta Frascati-Robinson, passionate creative & exploratory technologist. We explore her background and what drove her to be a technologist. She also provides some fascinating insight into the code-a-thon/hack-a-thon world and provides us with an overview of her latest event she hosted at Upward Hartford. If you would like to know more about the next event she is hosting, please follow the link below. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/no-experience-required-wearable-tech-workshop-tickets-47719903516

In Episode 7 of the InnovateCT Podcast, John Murphy, professor at the University of Connecticut shares with us the history of the Digital Media and Design program. We also discuss the innovative activities this program is doing to prepare their students for life after college. http://dmd.uconn.edu/

In Episode 6, Derrick Draughn, owner of DCI Resources discusses his company and how he is training the next generation of tech talent in Connecticut. www.dciresourcesllc.com

In Episode 5, we have the pleasure hearing from Dr. Jessica Fitzgerald, Assistant Principal at Pathways Academy of Technology & Design. We discuss her high school Pathways, magnet schools, NAF academies and more. I also have her dive into some of the innovative initiatives occurring at Pathways. www.pathwaystotechnology.com

Episode 4 focuses on the UConn Technology Incubation Program (TIP). We get to hear from Nicole Baccaro, program manager of TIP and learn how UConn is helping promote innovation in Connecticut. Follow the link below to view the TIP website. https://tip.uconn.edu/

In this episode we sit down with Ellen Festi from South Windsor High School. We discuss the South Windsor High School Industry Advisory Board that was created to focus on experiential learning with a goal to educate and expose students to a variety of careers, jobs and industries by partnering with faculty, alumni, parents, community leaders and businesses.

We had the opportunity to speak with Jason Prignoli who recently participated as a judge at the Connecticut Invention Convention.

For our inaugural InnovateCT podcast, our guest is Bryan Wright. We discuss innovation in schools, changes in technology and the different ways students are now learning.

Welcome to the InnovateCT Podcast