2020 Nomination

Since 2012, The Connecticut Science Center has recognized women, men, and organizations who share our mission to inspire lifelong learning in STEM fields, and who go above and beyond expectations to inspire the next generation of STEM Professionals. Please help us to identify those exceptional individuals and organizations by submitting a nomination and/or sharing this call for nominations with your networks.

Nominations for the 2020 Connecticut Science Center STEM Achievement Award and the 2020 Petit Family Foundation Women in Science Leadership Award can be submitted via the Connecticut Science Center website until January 8, 2020. Honorees will be recognized and celebrated at the 2020 STEM Achievement Awards Breakfast on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 7:30-9:30 AM

STEM Achievement Awards

The Connecticut Science Center celebrates the achievements of professionals, groups, advocates, businesses, and leaders who share our mission to inspire lifelong learning through interactive and innovative experiences that explore our changing world through science. We honor these individuals and organizations in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields at our annual Awards Breakfast.

Petit Family Foundation Women in Science Leadership Award

This award recognizes a woman working in STEM who is a leader in her field, and who makes a significant effort to support other women and encourage girls' interests in STEM. The honoree is selected by the Connecticut Science Center's Women in Science steering committee.

• John D. Mertens, Ph.D. Professor of Engineering, Trinity College , STEM Achievement Award Individual Honoree
• Aetna Health Professions Partnership Initiative, UConn Health , STEM Achievement Award Organization Honoree
• Kristen Govoni, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Animal Sciences, UConn, Petit Family Foundation Women in Science Leadership Award

• Sharon Gusky, Professor, Biology, Northwestern Connecticut Community College, STEM Achievement Award Individual Honoree
• Girl Scouts of Connecticut, STEM Achievement Award Organization Honoree
• Dr. Michele Dischino, Professor, Technology & Engineering Education, Central Connecticut State University, Petit Family Foundation Women in Science Leadership Award

• Carolyn Begnoche of UTC Aerospace Systems, STEM Achievement Award Individual Honoree
• CBIA Education & Workforce Partnership, STEM Achievement Award Organization Honoree
• Claudine Phaire of Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, Petit Family Foundation Women in Science Leadership Award

• Walter Nakonechny, STEM Achievement Award Individual Honoree
• Connecticut Invention Convention, STEM Achievement Award Organization Honoree
• Jonna Gerken, Petit Family Foundation Women in Science Leadership Award

• Mark Dixon, STEM Achievement Award Individual Honoree
• Connecticut Pre-Engineering Program, STEM Achievement Award Organization Honoree
• Dr. Linda Barry, Petit Family Foundation Women in Science Leadership Award

• Dr. Kristine Larsen, Petit Family Foundation Women in Science Leadership Award

• Jared Cohen, STEM Achievement Award Individual Honoree
• The Travelers Companies, Inc., STEM Achievement Award Organization Honoree
• Kimberly McLean, Petit Family Foundation Women in Science Leadership Award

• Governor Dannel P. Malloy, STEM Achievement Award Individual Honoree
• United Technologies Corporation, STEM Achievement Award Organization Honoree

• Carolyn Begnoche
• James Fairweather, PhD
• Don Filer
• Jonna Gerken
• Clifton E. McPherson, PhD

• Kenneth Bowes
• Elizabeth Brady, MD FACS
• Katherine Coughlin
• Meg Duffy
• Gladis Kersaint, PhD
• Meryl Mallery
• Danielle Metcalf
• Marie O’Brien
• William A. Petit, Jr., MD
• Chandra Roychoudhuri, PhD
• Ellyn Savard
• Chinma Uche, PhD