9-17-09

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03e8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="id125.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Board of Directors"><B>Board of Directors</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Meetings"><B>Meetings</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id122.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CEDS"><B>CEDS</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id66.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Scenario Planning"><B>Scenario Planning </B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id80.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Task Team"><B>Task Team</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id117.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Regional, State Federal Links Docs"><B>Regional Plans </B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id65.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Regional Links NW CT"><B>Links</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ByLaws"><B>By-Laws</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact"><B>Contact</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>CEDS Sponsors:</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id125.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Board of Directors"><I><U>Platinum Sponsor</U></I></A></div> <div> <B>Borghesi Building & Engineering</B></div> <bR> <div> <I><U>Silver Sponsors</U></I></div> <div> <B>Bicron Electronics</B></div> <div> <B>CEDAS</B></div> <div> <I>(CT Econ. 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Assoc.)</I></div> <bR> <div> <I><U>Bronze Sponsors</U></I></div> <div> <B>Parker Productions</B></div> <div> <B>Winvian</B></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=82 style=" border-bottom: 1px solid #999980;" BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03f8dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#006600" FACE="Bangle" ><B>Northwest Connecticut Economic Development Corporation</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Bangle" ><B> </B></FONT><B>    </B><B>|</B><B>  </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Bangle" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006600" FACE="Bangle" ><B> </B><B> </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Northwest Connecticut Economic Developme"><B>home</B></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id111.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="12309">1-23-09</A>   |   <A HREF="id114.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="3609">3-6-09</A>   |   <A HREF="id115.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="5109">5-1-09</A>   |   <A HREF="id116.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="72409">7-24-09</A>   |   <B>9-17-09</B>   |   <A HREF="id119.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="11609">11-6-09</A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=398 width="100%" colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03f8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>9-17-09</I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="727" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" BGCOLOR=#FFFFFF > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 3024 WIDTH="719"><div> <B><U>Northwest Connecticut Economic Development Corporation</U></B></div> <div> 333 Kennedy Drive, Torrington, CT 06790</div> <div> <U>860.567.2204 - www.nwctedc.com - info@nwctedc.com</U></div> <bR> <div> <B>Minutes - Board of Directors</B></div> <div> <B>Thursday, September 17, 2009 - 3:30-5:00 pm</B></div> <div> <B>UConn-Torrington Campus - Extension Center Bldg.</B></div> <div> 855 University Drive, Torrington, CT</div> <bR> <div> <B>The purpose of this meeting was to connect area high schools with area manufacturers and other private sector representatives.  An aging workforce and a shortage of younger skilled workers was a major concern expressed by many of the manufacturers attending the March NWCTEDC BOD meeting.  Manufacturing represents over 20% of the region's economy and has a significant effect on the region's economic well-being.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Attendance:</U></B> </div> <div> Doug Parker, JoAnn Ryan, David Dean, Leo Paul, Jr., Rose Ponte, Bill Baxter, Frank Chiaramonte, Fran Delaney, Celeste Echlin, Michael McGuffie, Michael Menard, John Morici, Ted Murphy, Guy Rovezzi, Vance Taylor, Cindy Donaldson, Chris Vita, Marty Connor, Rep, Michelle Cook, Rep. Robert Willis, Randi Camirand, Greg Diaz, Dan Fegley, Steve Nocera, Kenny Curran, Wayne Conner, Kevin Dake, Mark Landy, Dana Forchette, Deb Wheeler, Sue Glasspeigel</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>UConn-Torrington</U></B></div> <div> Dr. Michael Menard, Director of UConn-Torrington welcomed everyone to the campus.  He briefly discussed a concept known as the Litchfield County Compact.  This program would connect UConn-Torrington and NCCC more closely with the private business sector.  It is currently in the exploratory stages and could include workforce development and entrepreneurial components.</div> <bR> <div> Dana Forchette, Admissions Coordinator at UConn-Torrington provided an overview of the program offerings at UConn-Torrington.  There are currently seven Bachelor degree programs offered in conjunction with other nearby UConn branches.  There has been a strong interest in their programs and student enrollment is growing.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Northwestern CT Community College</U></B></div> <div> Randi Camirand, NCCC Admissions provided an overview of programs offered at NCCC to assist and complement the private sector.   NCCC has programs to help students prepare for college by getting college and high school credits.  They have an active summer program which includes Robotics projects.  Participants in this income tested program receive a minimum wage while also receiving mentoring and tutoring.  They also work closely with the CT Department of Education to provide training in lean manufacturing.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>NW CT Chamber of Commerce/NW Regional Workforce Investment Board</U></B></div> <div> JoAnn Ryan is President of the NW CT Chamber of Commerce and is also the Chairman of the NW Regional Workforce Investment Board.  NWRWIB serves 42 towns and cities in NW CT.  The main emphasis is on creating and retaining jobs.  They are currently working on two stimulus funded programs to encourage businesses to hire employees.  50% of new employee pay is covered during the training period.</div> <bR> <div> JoAnn also talked about the upcoming "Career Explorations Fair" on October 8th planned by CEBP <I>(Community Educators Business Partnership)</I> sponsored by the Chamber.  The purpose is to connect students, parents and professionals based on the 16 career clusters identified by the CT State Dept. of Education.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>High School Robotics Programs</U></B></div> <div> <B>Sue Glasspeigel, FIRST Regional Director</B><I><B> </B></I></div> <div> <I>(For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)</I> </div> <div> Sue provided a brief history of the organization plus phenomenal growth to include programs throughout the world.  The FIRST Regional Event is tentatively scheduled for Mar. 17-20, 2010.  The High School program is one of 4 robotics programs available through FIRST.  There are other programs available for younger students.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Litchfield High School Robotics Team</B></div> <div> Litchfield First Selectman, Leo Paul, Jr. and Litchfield Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Deborah Wheeler both expressed their strong support for the efforts of the Litchfield Robotics Team.</div> <bR> <div> LHS Robotics Team advisors Kevin Dake and Mark Landy described how the LHS Robotics Team started and how it currently operates.  The competition is international and STEM <I>(Science, Technology, Engineering, Manufacturing) </I>based.  There are more than 42,000 participants world-wide.</div> <bR> <div> Students run the program from the design stage to the building stage to the competition/strategy stage.  Adults serve as mentors, advisors and guides, but students must make the decisions and build/operate the robot.</div> <bR> <div> Students use a computer program called "LabVIEW" to design the robot.  Designs are done by students on the same computer programs used in industry.</div> <bR> <div> The LHS team began with 6 students four years and has now grown to nearly 25 students.  The team had one female member the first year and now has nearly ten female participants.</div> <bR> <div> Two years ago, the LHS Robotics Team requested a grant of $1,900 from the Litchfield Education Foundation to sponsor and mentor a Mindstorms Lego League for younger middle grade students.  That program has grown from 20 students to nearly 60 students.  A second grant was recently approved by the Litchfield Education Foundation to purchase additional Lego kits to allow more students to participate.  Students in grades 4-8 build miniature Lego robots that must perform specific tasks.  Students work in teams and must also make a presentation to other teams.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Housatonic High School (Region 1)</B></div> <div> Housatonic High School also has a Robotics Team and helped to mentor the Litchfield team.  Competitions promote cooperation and teamwork among all of the participating teams.  Points are awarded for groups of teams and not individual teams during the competition stages to encourage this cooperation and teamwork.  The Housatonic team has been sponsored by Becton Dickinson in Canaan for the past 10 years.  Andy Brockway is an engineer at BD and has served as the team advisor since its inception.  He and a team of parents and volunteers have established a program embraced by the entire community.  State Representative Roberta Willis spoke highly of their efforts to encourage students to explore career paths in science and technology.  A private foundation is raising money to help build a science and technology center at Housatonic High School.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Q&A</B></div> <div> Q: Guy Rovezzi asked if there were any academic requirements for participants? </div> <div> A:  No, everything takes place after school, it's not integrated into curriculum, both Housatonic & LHS Robotics Teams operate as school clubs. <I>(Kevin & Mark answered the question.)</I></div> <bR> <div> Q: What is the annual cost? </div> <div> A: The kits cost $6,000 per year.  Sue Glasspeigel suggested a bare bones team=$10K; an adequate team=$15-16K; and a competitive team=$20K.  Teams have to raise money and secure sponsors in addition to working with the students.  Region 1 <I>(Housatonic High School)</I> is going to support the program financially for the first time since the program started 10 yrs ago.</div> <bR> <div> Funding is a constant challenge.  The kits cost $6,000 per year.  Tools and equipment to build the robots can bring the cost to as high as $20,000 per year.  Most school systems will not absorb this in their budgets.  The LHS team received grants from NASA, the local Litchfield Seherr-Thoss Foundations and the Litchfield Education Foundation.  Many of these foundations place a limit of three years on continuous funding.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Regional support for programs linking students to applied science and math skills</U></B></div> <div> Guy Rovezzi - President, Community Foundation of Northwest Connecticut asked "How can we make this happen regionally?  We'd like to give all of the kids in the region access to such programs."</div> <bR> <div> He suggested the Community Foundation of NW CT could assist in the process, but it would require an oversight committee or board to establish guidelines and help to monitor distributions.</div> <bR> <div> NWCTEDC will continue to explore methods for starting, supporting and expanding these types of programs.  Support within school systems is critical.  Advisors should be recognized on extra duty pay schedules as comparable to athletic coaches.  While programs may begin as clubs, at some point the school system needs to recognize the value and integrate it into the school's curriculum.  Additional funding from the private sector will be crucial in supporting and expanding these programs.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Final thoughts</U></B></div> <div> Optiwind and Fuel Cell are two regional companies that are growing as a result of inventive technologies.  As large scale manufacturing continues to move to cheaper labor markets, CT needs to encourage these types of creative and inventive business ventures.</div> <bR> <div> Participation in Litchfield Robotics and Lego League activities has seen a dramatic increase in the number of female participants.  The Lego League now has a 50:50 ratio.</div> <bR> <div> Teamwork and cooperation are integrated into these programs.  Teams distribute work in relation to skill and roles that need to be filled, every team operates differently depending on the make-up of the team.</div> <bR> <div> What are the impediments that keep schools from participating?  Money and a lack of awareness on the part of students; the need for a school employee/insider to promote FIRST or the Lego League; time commitment needed from mentors; teacher commitment-should be treated as a sport and the teacher advisor/coach should get a stipend like a traditional coach.</div> <bR> <div> Are Multi-School Teams possible?  Yes, they exist and can work. It may be the easiest way to build support for a new program. </div> <bR> <div> The ultimate goal is to bring these programs into the curriculum.  Region 6 is doing that now, they are building a robotics program using vex robots in their tech ed program.  Region 7 is exploring a cooperative effort with Housatonic to begin building a program.  Oliver Wolcott Tech is developing a program for the first time this year.</div> <bR> <div> Funding: How does a "for-profit" business support these ventures? 1) Through a foundation or 2) by donating to FIRST, which is a 501(c)(3) earmarked for a particular program; C-corps will get a 50% credit on all sponsorships over $200.</div> <bR> <div> How much time do students commit during the season?  It's like participating in a sport during the design, build and competition season (January to April).  Students can adjust their participation according to their activities, but those that commit the most time during build season get to go to the competition and have the most say.  This is a commitment of will more than money, schools must make a commitment.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Adjourn - 5:00 pm</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Chris Vita, Recorder</B></div> <bR> <div> Regards,</div> <div> Doug Parker</div> <div> President/Executive Director</div> <div> NW CT Economic Development Corporation</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.nwctedc.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.nwctedc.com/">www.nwctedc.com</A></div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:info@nwctedc.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:info@nwctedc.com">info@nwctedc.com</A></div> <div> (860) 567-2204</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id100.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="NWCTEDC Minutes"><B>Back to Minutes</B></A></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>