Who: Connecticut Dream It. Do It. and Dream It. Do It. Rhode Island hostmore than 150 middle and high school girls from 13 schools from Conn. and R.I. towns including: Conn. – Canterbury, Groton, Mystic, New London, Norwich, Old Saybrook, Plainfield, and Westbrook; R.I. – Cranston, Lincoln, North Kingstown, Riverside, and Wood River Junction.
Welcoming speakers: CT Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman, CT Commissioner of Education Dianna Wentzell, and CT Board of Regents President Mark Ojakian
Luncheon speakers: U.S. Senator Chris Murphy; CT DOL Commissioner Sharon Palmer
Keynote speaker: Leslie Taito, Hope Global Sr. Vice President, New Business Development
What: "Making It Real: Girls & Manufacturing Summit"
When: Friday, October 16, from 9:00am – 1:15pm; by-invitation event
Where: Mystic Marriott, Groton, CT
Why: To introduce middle and high school girls and educators to the creative, cutting-edge world of today's manufacturing and the rewarding careers it offers.
EAST HARTFORD, CONN., Oct. 12, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- More than 150 middle and high school girls from Connecticut and Rhode Island will travel to the Mystic Marriott in Groton, Conn. to participate in Making It Real: Girls & Manufacturing Summit, hosted by Connecticut. Dream It. Do It. and Dream It. Do It. Rhode Island on Friday, Oct. 16.
The Summit will tap into today's leading women in the industry who will share their inspiring, personal success stories through keynote remarks and in a roundtable panel discussion.
Students will be introduced to manufacturing through team-based activities that replicate the manufacturing process from concept to design to fabrication to quality control. They will have a chance to learn first-hand from manufacturers about rapid advances in manufacturing technology and future career opportunities.
For educators, the Connecticut Girls Collaborative will present an educator workshop on how to incorporate female role models in the classroom to help prepare the 21st century STEM workforce.
"Manufacturing is facing a skills gap, and part of that is the underrepresentation of women in the industry," said Susan Palisano, director of education & workforce development, Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology Inc., (CCAT), which licenses and directs Connecticut. Dream It. Do It. "Sparking interest in future careers among girls is a priority to assure that the region's manufacturers can attract, retain and advance women in skilled positions."
"Young women today want not only a great job but a meaningful career," said Bill McCourt, executive director of Rhode Island Manufacturers Association (RIMA), which licenses and leads Dream It. Do It. Rhode Island. "Through events like the Summit, Rhode Island and Connecticut manufacturers are joining together as never before to speak with one voice about opportunities within the industry."
Making It Real Summit Schedule
8:00-9:00 a.m. Students arrive; demos/networking
9:15 a.m. Welcoming Session—CT Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman, CT Education Commissioner Dianna Wentzell, CT Board of Regents President Mark Ojakian
9:30-11:45 a.m. Student and Educator Workshops
11:45 a.m. Guest Speakers U.S. Senator Chris Murphy and CT DOL Commissioner Sharon Palmer
11:50a.m.-12:30 p.m. Luncheon & Keynote Address — Leslie Taito, Hope Global Sr. Vice President, New Business Development
12:30-1:15 p.m. Women In Manufacturing Roundtable with Q &A
1:15p.m. Students depart
Connecticut. Dream It. Do It. and Dream It. Do It. Rhode Island are part of The Manufacturing Institute's nationwide campaign to create a positive image of manufacturing today, develop an awareness of rewarding manufacturing careers, and enhance both the Connecticut and Rhode Island future manufacturing workforce pipelines.