The Office of Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz

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Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz

06/08/2022

LT. GOVERNOR BYSIEWICZ COMMENDS RECOGNIZED SUBMISSIONS TO THE THIRD ANNUAL LT. GOVERNOR’S COMPUTING CHALLENGE

(HARTFORD, CT) --- Lt. Governor Bysiewicz applauds the 27 submissions highlighted as part of the Lt. Governor's third annual computing challenge, “Coding for Good,” with this year’s theme “Inspiring Health and Wellness for All.” Made possible by the support and participation of various sponsors, selected students taking part in the challenge through one of the three submission options, Concept, Prototype, or Development, were able to showcase their challenge projects. These students, representing 16 different districts across the state, were recognized at an in-person celebration hosted by one of the sponsors, the Infosys Foundation USA at the Infosys Digital Innovation Center in Hartford, CT.


Lt. Governor Bysiewicz, Department of Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker, and Office of Higher Education Executive Director Tim Larson attended the recognition event, along with representatives of corporate and philanthropic sponsors to congratulate the students and learn more about the inspiration and design of their projects.


The 2021-22 school year was the third successive year the computing challenge was held. In 2022, there were over 300 projects, emphasizing the creativity and ingenuity of Connecticut’s students.

One of the priorities of the Council on Women and Girls has been to inspire female students to develop an interest in technology through expanding STEM education among women and girls. The Council is proud to acknowledge that out of the 27 recognized submissions, 17 were from women and girls or from teams that included women and girls.


"Exposing students to STEM fields by sparking their interest with interactive involvement has always been one of my main priorities, and a priority of the Governor’s Council on Women and Girls,” Lt. Governor Bysiewicz said. "Each year, I have been fascinated by the different submissions, and different priorities of the students across our state. Getting students involved in STEM fields now, especially young girls, allows them to see a whole landscape of different opportunities for their futures. Today’s young minds may be the changemakers of our tomorrow. I want to thank our state agency partners, Commissioner Russell-Tucker, and Executive Director Larson, as well as our sponsors and supporters: Infosys Foundation USA, Jackson Labs, Tallan, Eversource, AT&T, Travelers, ReadyCT, EdAdvance, UConn Werth Institute and CTCSTA for all their support and encouragement to our state’s students for this coding challenge. I am proud to organize this event as part of the Governor's Council on Women and Girls and I look forward to championing its continued success."

“The continued success of the Lieutenant Governor’s Computing Challenge demonstrates the administration’s collective, cross-agency efforts to expand STEM and computer science pathways for our students, and to diversify the enrollment in these courses and programs,” said Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker. “On behalf of the State Department of Education, congratulations to the students we are honoring today, and we look forward to your future achievements in the STEM and computer science fields!”

“I couldn’t be prouder of this effort aimed at igniting a spark in young women and students from underserved communities to learn more about coding and the many technological careers it can lead to,” said Office of Higher Education Executive Director Timothy D. Larson. “We know that when we create opportunities for our students to gain real world experience in coding, we set them up for a lifetime of success in the classroom and in the workforce. The Lt. Governor's Computing Challenge has, for the third year, provided valuable encouragement for students across Connecticut. I look forward to seeing how programs such as these jump-start a generation of young coders who hopefully enroll at our state's colleges and universities.”


"The Computing Challenge yielded incredibly innovative entries, covering a wide range of subjects from coronavirus to dental habits. These promising students used technology to solve real-world problems, illustrating how investing in STEM opportunities can provide inspiration for generations to come,” said Sarah Wojiski, director of Education and External Programs, The Jackson Laboratory. “At JAX, our team is dedicated to providing STEM programming for students of all backgrounds, and we are grateful for the Lieutenant Governor and the Department of Education for initiating this important program.”

“With a mission to advance K12 computer science and maker education, we are thrilled to serve as a sponsor of the Lt. Governor’s Computing challenge and the host of the in-person celebration event to recognize the students and give them a moment in the spotlight with CT government leaders and their families. Connecticut’s youth are our future, and these types of dynamic initiatives keep them engaged and empowered. Providing early access to inclusive technology challenges sparks their imagination, builds their confidence and opens their eyes to the wide possibilities that exist in their future,” said Kate Maloney, Executive Director, Infosys Foundation USA.

You can learn more about the Lt. Governor’s Computing Challenge here: https://www.ltgovcc.org/.


The recognized submissions were as follows:

Concept Challenge

Grade 3-5th

  • Sleep Touch: Ishwa Patel, Jamyson Dignazio-Drost,Harper Boughton, Emma Heart Willard School, Berlin
  • Therapy for Kids 8-12: Grace Sherman, Abby Gauvin, Mackenzie Frenette, Ruby Oliver, Plainfield Memorial School, Plainfield
  • Health and Wellness Hub: Jason Armstrong, Zachary Joslyn, Easton Sanders, Plainfield Memorial School, Plainfield

Grade 6-8th

  • Pizza4Life: Kyle Love and Dylan Chung, Elisabeth Adams Middle School, Guilford
  • W.A.R. We Always Run: Lily James and Jessica Wilson, Elisabeth Adams Middle School, Guilford
  • Petlife: Zachary Milano and Asher Zide, Elisabeth Adams Middle School, Guilford

Grade 9-12 th

Prototype Challenge

Grade 3-5th

Grade 6-8th

High School

  • Varna: Sagarika Srinivasan, Cheshire High School, Cheshire,
  • Star Athlete: Dilia Carrillo-Muralles, J.M. Wright Technical High School, Stamford

Development Challenge

Grade 6-8th

  • Myla: Suchita Srinivasan, Dodd Middle School, Cheshire
  • The True You: Esmeralda Sisson, Harry M. Bailey Middle School, West Haven
  • Eric A.I: Mason Steele, William J. Johnston Middle School, Colchester

High School 9-10th

  • Get Better: Julia Camman, Newtown High School, Newtown
  • Talk2Me: Naomi Webb and Boone Gustaf Swanson, RHAM High School, Hebron
  • MeMovement: Aishwarya Balaji, Avon High School, Avon

High School 11-12th

  • Live It: Rik Roy, Ellington High School, Ellington
  • Sleep Tracker: Marguerite LaBanca, Newtown High School, Newtown
  • Tranquil: Sheehan Munim and Allen Liu, Amity Regional High School, Woodbridge

The Jackson Laboratory Urban Achievement Award

Grade 6-8th

  • Selfie - Ctrl: Angelina Altamirano, B’Journ Wilson, Ciara Gallagher, Malia Jarvis, Destiny Dandridge, from ACES at Chase in Waterbury

High School

  • ScanItPickIt: Fares Ahmed, Casper Adamusl, Michelle Prucna, New Britain High School, New Britain

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For Immediate Release: Wednesday, June 8th, 2022

Contact: Chelsea Neelon

Chelsea.Neelon@ct.gov

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