Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1294813
14 STUFF • 2 0 2 0 | STUFFMadeInCT.com American Chamber of Commerce here in Connecticut," Thermer said. "To be able to refine that for a number of companies that need that skill set." STEM outreach for K-12 A common theme amongst universities increasing STEM education is through introducing it to younger students. Thermer details Goodwin's high school STEM outreach programs. "We're able to start offering our students as early as 9th grade an exposure to manufacturing and the STEM disciplines," Thermer said. "They can start earning college credits towards the certificates while they're in high school." Goodwin University owns and operates Connecticut River Academy, in East Hartford, and has an early college advanced manufacturing program run by the high school with partner school districts. Thermer said this allows for outreach amongst younger students interested in STEM fields. "We are going from Pre-K all the way up through college right now," Thermer said. "Our high school has both a manufacturing theme and an environmental sciences theme, and our students have the option of learning machining, and the manufacturing trade, as early as ninth grade." Fairfield University has made efforts to provide experiences and opportunities for students, said Dean Dr. Andres Caranno's team at the School of Engineering. According to the office of the dean, a free and full-day intro to engineering at the Norwalk Maritime Aquarium is an event, where middle and high school students attended interactive workshops led by Fairfield University engineering students. "These efforts establish pathways for young minds, especially young women, to be excited about 161,894 Number of manufacturing workers in Connecticut, the highest level since 2013 Continued from page 13 Continued on page 16 Goodwin University School of Business, Technology, and Advanced Manufacturing School: Goodwin University Location: East Hartford Focus of program: Manufacturing P H O T O S | C O U RT E S Y O F U C O N N & P H O T O G R A P H E R S E A N F LY N N UConn students looking for amphibians during Intro to Biology class outdoors on April 18, 2017.