ECE News To Know CATCH-UP CORNER ANEWSLETTER FOR THE HIGHLIGHTS Today is one of those beautiful UCONN ECE COMMUNITY SPRING 2010 spring days that remind us that the robins, the leaves and the sun will return to soon. It was a long and tiring winter for many of us, as we all grappled with short- Globalization Conference Goes “Live” via Webcast ages in staffing, funding and overall time to do it all. We understand the On Wednesday, March 31, powerpoint presentation on the said RHAM High School Spanish time commitment that our high UConn Early College Experience topic “Globalization’s Effect on instructor, Amy Nocton. “At one school instructors and administra- came together with the UConn Education” and then field ques- point we noticed that 46 people tors dedicate to this program and Center for Globalization and tions from the audience. Teams we know just how valuable this is were viewing the live video Commerce and the Stamford were asked to choose a country to our success. Instructors over- stream. It was great to be able to Chamber of Commerce to host to focus on and create a defined whelmingly attend UConn ECE provide this service to the stu- professional development events the annual ECE Globalization thesis as part of their presenta- dents who were unable to join us and conferences. More and more Conference at the UConn Stam- tion. in Stamford,” said UConn ECE high schools are making arrange- ford campus. Over 100 students This year, for the first time, the Continued on Page 5 ments to bring their UConn ECE representing five partner high students to campus to take advan- Globalization schools took part in a day filled tage of a lecture or a library tuto- Conference rial. While we all struggle with the with student presentations and was able to be constant juggling act of being an round table discussions led by viewed live via educator, you have all made a UConn faculty and Stamford webcast. conscious decision to raise the bar business leaders. Participating “Thanks to the to a whole new level. Thank you for high schools included Bridgeport dedicating your time and taking live video Regional Vocational Aquaculture advantage of the new opportunities streaming, two UConn ECE is providing its part- School, Brien McMahon High of my students ners. We too will continue to try to School, Fairfield Warde High who were sick, set the bar at a whole new School, RHAM High School and many col- height…. Frank S. Bunnell High School. leagues, and Each high school was required to our mentors in INSIDE THIS ISSUE: put together a four-person team Europe were Natalia Metwally’s Spanish course to conduct a fifteen minute all able to be part of the day,” ECE Class Wins Big 2 celebrates their first place win. for the Environment

Catching Up With 3 ECE Students UConn Published in First Book on Concurrent Enrollment

ECE Instructor Wins 4 Prestigious Award Later this year, Syracuse Univer- between household income and with a total of 40 students. sity Press will be publishing a student participation in UConn Clearly participation is different in High School Latin 4 book on concurrent enrollment ECE. He used data from student the two schools,” Boecherer says. Students Visit UConn entitled, “Bridging the High enrollment, courses per high Using all the variables offers a School-College Gap: The Role of school, and the average number more accurate picture of participa- ECE Releases New 5 Concurrent Enrollment”. The of students per course to under- tion in UConn ECE. High School Rubric book is a compilation of chapters stand participation rates at part- By using linear regressions the from different scholars that will ner high schools. Median house- study suggests many interesting Mother and Daughter 6 focus on the access and hold income data came from the trends in participation, but the Redefine HDFS opportunities that concurrent Connecticut Economic Resource most interesting is that student enrollment delivers to students. Center, Inc. “There are high ECE Welcomes Class 7 Associate Director, Brian schools that offer one course and Continued on Page 6 of 2010 Boecherer, one of the chapter have 20 students and there are authors, studied the relationship also high schools with 12 courses P A G E 2 Bulkeley ECE Class Wins 2010 ‘Live Green, Win Green’ Contest

By Deborah Davis, ECE Envi- recycle 80% of its waste. They prize money. At a school-wide ronmental Science Instructor, received permission to conduct assembly featuring the national Bulkeley High School a poll of the student body non-profit Alliance for Climate Bulkeley High School's ECE/AP regarding recycling attitudes. Education (ACE), the student Environmental Science class The goal was to see if making body was invited to contribute recently won the 2009 Con- recycling bins more accessible to the decision-making process. necticut Light & Power’s "Live and convenient would improve ACE's Connecticut educator, Green, Win Green" contest attitudes and habits. (The data Julian Rodrguez-Drix, for their essay and video was analyzed by Wendy presented a lively interactive evaluating their school's Jackwin’s AP Statistics class.) multimedia presentation that environmental practices. Recycling at a facility the size of addressed the science behind Students determined that Bulkeley can have a significant climate change, with an Bulkeley could recycle up to environmental impact. Take emphasis on finding solutions. Recycling at a 85% of their current cafeteria drink cans, for example. Con- An Action Team was formed waste, and proposed a recy- later that same day when a facility the size of sider that if only half of the stu- cling and promotional plan to dent body throws out a drink group of students met to Bulkeley can have implement at their school. can daily, that amounts to 500 discuss how to move BHS Bulkeley's ECE/AP Environ- recyclable cans per day. Over a forward. a significant mental Science class was one 180-day school year, this trans- Considerations being discussed of 11 high schools who submit- lates to 90,000 cans that can by the students include obtain- impact. Take drink ted a two-minute video and a either be recycled, or end up in ing recyclable trays for the 1000-word essay, both of cans for example. a landfill. Although the numbers cafeteria, which would drop the which depict Bulkeley's efforts speak for themselves, the cafeteria landfill contribution Consider that if to become more environmen- students decided to carry the down to a mere 5%. That tally friendly. Bulkeley received message further. would in turn reduce the only half of the the $20,000 grant grand prize electricity required to run the in a ceremony prior to an ACE student body Due to the group's efforts, today garbage compactor, and the presentation held in February amount of garbage which has to at the school. Their entry can recycling bins join the garbage throws out a drink cans in the cafeteria. In the hall- be hauled away, although the be viewed at trade-off of using water to daily, that www.clpenvironments.com . ways, new garbage cans also sit side by side with recycling bins, wash the trays has to be evalu- amounts to 500 in addition to the recycling ated. Redesigning the custodial Bulkeley's ECE/AP Environ- boxes in the classrooms. Signs carts will make it easier for the recyclable cans per mental Science class began by have been posted at key custodial staff as recycling in assessing the school's recycling locations to help develop the building catches on. The day. habits, and then presented school-wide recycling habits. students are also going to their findings at a faculty meet- evaluate the bulbs used for the ing. The students' preliminary Now comes the hard part: emergency lighting system to research revealed that the deciding how to best use the see about reducing their energy cafeteria had the potential to usage. Before the year is over, Bulkeley High School can From left to right: Deborah expect big changes as these Davis. Brandon Elvas, Magda- motivated students nudge their school towards a greener lyn Rodan, Gerson Mendoza, future. Gissella Jimenez, Whitney Vitale, Danny Castillo, Jassica Mahedo and Saida Cooke

ECE NEWS TO KNOW ANEWSLETTER FOR THE UCONN ECE COMMUNITY P A G E 3 ECE Student Emily Fisler Helps The World Get Greener

Emily Fisler, a current senior at netic Development when she began scholarships or internships as you Daniel Hand High School, is an ECE looking for an internship that can,” says Fisler. “You can also ask “...put yourself student with a particular interest in stressed environmental awareness. your teachers and guidance coun- out there and the sciences. Over the past school After discovering the company selors about available internships; year, Emily has had the opportunity worked with solar energy (among they are generally happy to help.” apply to as many to take part in an exciting study at other renewable resources), she Aside from her research experi- Magnetic Development in Madison, knew the opportunity was a good ence, Emily also received 4,500 scholarships or Connecticut. Under the guidance of fit. Since beginning her internship, dollars in scholarship money and internships that entrepreneur Mark Bergander, Emily has worked on various ex- was mentioned in the New Haven Emily has assisted in the develop- periments and even began revising a Register in an article about Mag- you can…” ment of a newer, more efficient Physics textbook that Bergander netic Development’s projects. refrigerating and air conditioning has written. system. The new concept, which Emily plans to pursue the sciences Emily and Mark uses solar heat instead of electricity in college and intends to become Bergander discussing to power its systems, has the po- involved in chemical engineering. solar energy plans. tential to save families and busi- She hopes other students will also (Picture from New nesses a lot of money on their elec- pursue internships. “The only ad- Haven Register) tricity bills. vice I have to give is to put yourself Emily first got involved with Mag- out there and apply to as many ECE Alumni Profile: Rachel Rubino Meet challenging than all of my other courses so I accounting. All of the classes I took also UConn’s was much more prepared for the amount of fulfilled a graduation requirement for own Rachel work college courses were going UConn which allows me to focus more on Rubino! to require. They also prepared me for the my core classes. Rachel is a grading policies (i.e. that three exams make up OECP: What do you hope to do after graduate of your entire grade). college? Tolland High OECP: After a semester in college, do you School and is RR: I hope to graduate early in Fall 2011 have any advice for incoming and go on to finish my required 150 working with freshman? UConn ECE credits to take the CPA exam and have a to maintain an active ECE Student Advi- RR: I would advise incoming freshman to job as an accountant in a firm. I sory Board on campus. She comes filled learn how to manage their time and balance am also a Mathematics minor so I would with ideas on how other ECE alumni can school work and social activities. College also like to take the teaching exam help improve and market the program. courses require more of your time out of the and teach math to high school students. Calen Weiss, OECP student staff member classroom and it is very hard to do well in OECP: What advice do you have for had the opportunity to speak with Rachel them if you don't have the right balance of current ECE students? everything. about her UConn ECE Experience: RR: The best advice I can give would be to OECP: What ECE classes did you take in OECP: What's your major and were any of take every opportunity that is given to you high school? the classes you took in high school a and use it to your best advantage. Some- reason for choosing that major? RR: I took Physics 122 and 123, Chemis- times the classes maybe difficult and time try 127 and 128 and French 268W. RR: I didn't so much take the ECE classes consuming but they will save you time and because they were what I liked to money later on in life. OECP : Did any of those classes have a do. I thought that it was a very good particularly good effect in preparing opportunity to jumpstart my college career. In you for college? the end though the classes I took proved that RR: The classes were much more I didn't want to be an engineer of any sort, which led me to my interest in math and P A G E 4 UConn ECE Instructor Spotlight: Professor Toussaint Olivetti Wins ‘Local Heroes Award’

As a language is not recognized for its videoconferencing to conduct Foreign Language teacher, importance in a student's overall live classes with students in Toussaint Olivetti has extensive growth and understanding of the France. experience in engaging and world and other cultures.” To interest and motivate stu- motivating students to learn a Mr. Olivetti joined UConn Early dents, Mr. Olivetti employs second language. His innovative College Experience in 2006, with several different teaching tech- teaching style and concern for certification in French. Mr. niques, including games and his students helped him win the Olivetti is uniquely situated to technology. His concern for his Connecticut and Western Toussaint Olivetti introduce his ECE students to students and colleagues extends Massachusetts Ronald university rigor. Quadrilingual, beyond the classroom, as he (right) receives his McDonald House ‘Local Mr. Olivetti speaks English, serves as moderator of various Ronald McDonald House Heroes Award’ and the 2009 French, Corsican, Spanish, and organizations such as the ‘Local Heroes Award’ CAS High School Educator of American Sign Language. Having Foreign Language National the Year Award. When asked grown up in Corsica, Mr. Honor Society, the annual CT about his recent awards, Olivetti uses his international Council of Language Teachers “I feel really honored Toussaint replied, “I feel really experience to expose students poetry contest, and the honored and humbled by this to other cultures. He brings a American Association of and humbled by this award and I am happy I was global experience to his class- Teachers of French Grand able to draw attention to the room, frequently taking both Concours. award and I am importance of teaching and ECE and non-ECE groups on learning foreign languages. Too Congratulations Toussaint! happy I was able to educational trips to Canada and often, the study of foreign Italy, and has pioneered using draw attention to the

importance of teaching and learning Woodstock Academy ECE Latin Students Visit UConn

foreign languages,” The Office of Early College insight on how the classes stack useful as a point of comparison Programs is always hard at work up. when I am visiting other college said Toussaint. getting students as prepared as Taking the trip up to the UConn campuses. I would recommend possible for college. This year, campus to sit in on Professor most ECE classes take a trip to many ECE instructors took Johnson’s Latin class definitely put UConn and sit in on a class to help advantage of their campus in perspective the quality of the measure where their knowledge benefits by making arrangements work we are completing in our and skills are. to have their students attend on- ECE class at Woodstock Acad- Thank you Todd, and good luck campus courses and library emy. I was able to follow along to all the Woodstock Academy tutorials. ECE was thrilled to with all of the topics that the Latin students. We hope to see host Woodstock Academy’s students were discussing and I you again soon! Latin course taught by Melissa also found it easy to read along Beck. Beck’s students attended a with the course translations. It is CAMS 3102 course on campus evident to me from our trip to taught by Professor Sara campus that the ECE course has Johnson, and were able to see helped me not only with my Latin, firsthand how the on-campus but will also help me greatly if I course was the same course continue to study this subject in they were taking in high school. college. As a whole, the trip to Todd Blodget, a junior at UConn helped me get a feel for a Woodstock Academy, took part college to which I am strongly in the campus visit and offers his considering applying. It will also be

ECE NEWS TO KNOW ANEWSLETTER FOR THE UCONN ECE COMMUNITY P A G E 5 ECE Releases New High School Rubric

UConn ECE recently released a creator of the rubric. “This new rubric “One of the new rubric for high schools will hopefully help everyone. It helps participating in the program. The UConn ECE diversify our course program goals of rubric outlines the general offerings to the high schools and gives is to increase education requirements at the emphasis to the dual purpose of the University of Connecticut, the UConn courses in the high school.” student access. content areas they reside in and The new rubric clearly lists the the courses offered by ECE. content area for each course and That means Almost every university across the identifies the various levels of courses. nation expects their students to Guidance counselors will now be able access to a complete a certain number of to better direct their students on what greater number of classes outside their major. While classes to take to prepare for college. many students do incorporate courses and The rubric will also help create a sify our course offerings? “We these classes into their major symmetry among Connecticut high think the rubric can be a useful course of study, completing the access to more schools and the ECE courses they tool in the high schools. Our goal courses early allows students to offer. Included with the rubric is a is always to support the students options once a accomplish their major goals faster chart which uses a diversity rating to and this is one tool in the proc- and entertain the option of adding show the range of courses offered at ess.” student is in another major or minor. the high school. college.” “One of the program goals is to Boecherer is confident that the rubric,

increase student access. That which was distributed to all high means access to a greater number school representatives at the annual of courses and access to more Site-Rep conference, helps give per- options once a student is in spective to high schools that ask the college.” says Brian Boecherer, frequent question – how can we diver- Wins 2009 French Quiz Bowl On November 12, 2009, Schools from and Southington High School was able to Globalization Conference across Connecticut came together to come out on top, winning first place. Continued From Page 1 participate in ECE’s annual French Quiz Congratulations Southington and we look Bowl. Once again, the competition proved forward to the 2010 French Quiz Bowl in Technology Coordinator Louise Larson. to be an exciting experience for everyone, the fall! The first place trophy was awarded to Brien McMahon’s French class for their presenta- tion on Senegal. Second place was awarded to Fairfield Warde’s Environmental Science class for their presentation on India and third place went to RHAM High School’s Spanish class for their presentation on Spain.

To view the globalization conference stu- dent presentations in its entirety, visit: http://mediasite.dl.uconn.edu/Mediasite/ Viewer/? peid=c0bb817d406344cea526bae5634fc3cb

French Quiz Bowl competitors outside the Dodd Research Center P A G E 6 Lorraine and Amanda Langlais Redefine HDFS Expertise

When UConn Early College at her school. “[Lorraine’s] her college professors. Experience began offering enthusiasm for the course was Both teachers continue to classes in Human Development contagious, so when I started prosper at their respective and Family Studies, Lorraine interviewing for Family & high schools. However, Langlais did not hesitate to Consumer Science positions in Amanda admits to the answer the call for instructors. 2005 after my college gradua- development of a bit of a A UConn Alumnus who had tion, I began to look for a rivalry. Even though they teach concentrated in HDFS, and an school in which I would have in completely different school experienced teacher of 30 the administration’s support to systems, the two HDFS years, she believed the expand the program to include professors talk throughout the program would be a benefit for the UCONN course. New week and are quick to Lorraine (left) and both her students and her high Canaan High School embraced compare lesson plans. “We do Amanda (right) school. Now in her fifth year the idea of offering a college compete over how much Langlais enjoy their of teaching the HDFS 1070 course.” The benefits of a course material we have friendly rivalry as course at Kennedy High mother-daughter tandem has covered. Any time we talk on teachers School, Lorraine Langlais has been felt by both parties as the phone to collaborate we certainly had a lasting effect on well as her students. Lorraine’s ask each other what “age her students. However, the wealth of teaching experience group” we are covering. One student who stands out the has allowed her to share with of us always cringes at the fact most is the one she has teach- her daughter lesson plans, that the other is ahead.” ing the longest. projects, and class speakers “We do compete Amanda Langlais, Lorraine’s that have proven to be suc- over how much daughter, is in her fourth year cessful. Meanwhile, Amanda of teaching at New Canaan has been able to introduce course material High School and, like her new teaching concepts to her mother as well as some of the we have mother; she was quick to embrace teaching ECE classes newer technology employed by covered… one of us always cringes UConn ECE Contributes To Book On Collegiate Classes For High at the fact the other is ahead.” School Students

Continued From Page 1 higher. credits, student participation participation is highest in the During the February 2010 Site increases. “We always knew area of “middle America”. The Representative Conference, a our UConn faculty made the study also finds that students in survey was completed by program successful; the less affluent areas of the state attendees to help better survey indicates that they are not restricted from understand the results of the also drive student participation due to economic regressions. Based on the participation.” factors. In fact when looking at survey responses, the number the first eight high schools in the one factor that affects student least affluent areas as well as the participation (other than first eight high schools in the students earn a UConn most affluent areas, there is transcript) is instructor higher student enrollment in the interest. If UConn ECE former than the latter. faculty encourage their Participation rates are also students to earn UConn

Associate Director Brian Boecherer

ECE NEWS TO KNOW ANEWSLETTER FOR THE UCONN ECE COMMUNITY P A G E 7

UConn ECE Welcomes Student Registration Reminders:

As we begin another student registration cycle, we’d like to remind our the “Class of 2010” partner high schools of a few details in the registration process. • What are the chances? As of May 1, 2010, exactly Student registration forms should be sent in one packet by high 150 new instructor certification applications have school. Do not mail forms separately by course. been processed and exactly 100 have received • Students may not mail their registration forms individually. certification! Forty applications are still in the process of being reviewed by the appropriate UConn • Please alphabetize your student registration forms by student last department. name. This saves many hours in the process and gets your students UConn ECE is proud to welcome: into the UConn system quickly! • • Three new Latin American Studies instructors If possible, please type a student list as a cover sheet. This helps our from E.O. Smith, Stafford and Southington High office assure that names are being entered into the UConn system Schools who will be the first in the program to correctly and avoids end-of-the-year transcript hold-ups because of offer LAMS 1190: Perspectives on Latin spelling errors. America, a new course in the 2010 UConn ECE • All registration forms must be received by June 30th catalog • Students will have the opportunity to add or drop a course from • A new course, a new instructor and a new September 1—15th. partner high school: Thomas Vrabel will offer PLSC 3230: Biotechnology- Science, Application, • Add/Drop Forms will be sent to each Impact, Perception at Trumbull Regional high school at the end of August and Agriscience and Biotechnology Center must be postmarked by September • Four newly certified instructors offering UConn 16th for processing. Music courses through ECE- this literally • Student invoices will be sent at the doubles the number of UConn ECE Music end of August for fall semester and instructors! full-year courses. Spring courses will • Seven new partner high schools: Academy of be billed to each student at the begin- Our Lady of Mercy- Lauralton Hall (representing ning of November. If students have seven newly certified instructors in seven questions regarding their invoices, separate disciplines!), East Catholic High School, please refer them directly to the Nonnewaug High School, Oxford High School, UConn ECE program office at 860-486 Stamford Academy, Stamford High School and -1045. Trumbull Agriscience and Biotechnology Center

Register Now! David Conley & Andrea Venezia to speak at the 2010 College Transition Conference

Registration has begun for the June Venezia, Senior Research Associate For additional information or to register for 2nd College Transition Conference for WestEd’s Regional Educational taking place on the UConn Storrs Laboratory West. the conference, visit: campus. This year, UConn ECE is A panel breakout session focused https://www.regonline.com/ece2010 thrilled to host national college on describing what a college ready readiness experts Dr. David high school looks like will also be This conference is free of charge for UConn ECE Conley, Professor of Educational part of the conference agenda. The instructors, site representatives and principals. Contact Policy and Leadership in the Col- panel features nine ECE partner Jennifer Griffin at [email protected] if you do not lege of Education at the University high schools, divided among three have the registration promo code. of Oregon and Dr. Andrea panels. #452616 FIRST CLASS MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID STORRS, CT PERMIT NO.36

University of Connecticut UConn Early College Experience 368 Fairfield Way U-2171 Storrs, Connecticut 06269-2171

UConn ECE Calendar of Events

In an effort to keep UConn May 12, 2010 May 17, 2010 June 11, 2010 ECE instructors well French Workshop Math Workshop New Instructor Orientation informed of upcoming CUE Building, Room 320 8:30am—12:00pm 9:00am—3:00, Rome Ballroom events, we have provided a CUE Building, Room 122 list of scheduled June 29, 2010 professional development May 13, 2010 U.S. History Workshop opportunities and important Professional Achievement Ban- May 17, 2010 events. All events will take quet, Nathan Hale Inn, Storrs Statistics Workshop Torrington Campus place on the UConn Storrs 1:00pm—4:00pm campus unless otherwise May 13, 2010 June 30, 2010 noted. Chemistry Workshop May 20, 2010 Student Registration Formal invitations will be Deadline Chemistry Building, Room Art Workshop sent to instructors approxi- 304A

mately two months before September 1—15, 2010 the event date. The UConn June 2, 2010 May 17, 2010 Student Add/Drop ECE Program Office staff Transition to College looks forward to welcoming Math Workshop Conference 8:30—3:00 Period

you to campus! 8:30am—12:00pm Student Union Ballroom October 18, 2010 CUE Building, Room 122 American Studies Workshop