Classrooms and Camps to College and Careers

Northwestern Connecticut Community College
and the Torrington School District

Contact Sharon Gusky for more information about the C4 Program

sgusky@nwcc.edu | 860.738.6395

Project Summary:

TSD Students: This project will expand interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) interest and skills attainment in underrepresented and underserved students (those from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, ESL, minority students, female students, and first-generation college students), and serve as a model for other programs in the country. It will increase the interest and engagement of underserved and underrepresented students in the Torrington high school STEM classes, in attending college, and in careers as technicians. It will impact a total of 480 students through college visits and summer camps.

Teachers: It will benefit the Torrington School District through the engagement of forty-four middle and high school STEM teachers and over 1800 of their students through the use of innovative and creative activities used in the STEM classes to introduce students to careers as technicians. Middle and High school teachers from surrounding schools will be impacted through their attendance at the professional development workshops held each spring and through their interactions with a Community of Practice.

Employers: Companies throughout the Torrington region can provide good-paying jobs to high school and college graduates with technical skills. This project will create a career pathway for students that will improve their socioeconomic status and lives. Area employers are committed to providing professional development externships for teachers, job shadowing for students, and classroom visits so students can learn about technical careers from professionals.

Press Release: August 2018

National Science Foundation Grant #1801062