![](https://ctsciencecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CTSCGala2024_PageHeader_1120x350_Mar24.jpg)
Connecticut Science Center Gala: Close Encounters of the STEM Kind
Join us at the Connecticut Science Center Gala: Close Encounters of the STEM Kind for out-of-this-world cocktails, a seated dinner (with mashed potatoes), music, live and silent auctions, and more in support of inspiring programs to meet the current and future STEM workforce needs. The Connecticut Convention Center will be transformed into a not-to-miss celebration of science fiction through the ages.
Gala-goers will also celebrate STEM leaders and innovators in our community with a special presentation of the 2024 STEM Achievement Awards and Petit Family Foundation Women in Science Leadership Awards. This year, the Science Center will dedicate and present the first annual Dr. Theordore S. Sergi K-12 Educator of the Year Award.
Saturday, October 5, 2024
6:30PM-Midnight
At the Connecticut Convention Center
100 Columbus Boulevard
Hartford,
CT 06103
TICKETS
THANK YOU TO OUR GALA SPONSORS
The Mother Ship Sponsors
Devil’s Tower Sponsors
- Barnes Group
- The Cigna Group
- Stanley Black & Decker
- Petit Family Foundation
- Liberty Bank
Area 51 Sponsors
- Adams & Knight
- CBS, a Xerox Company
- Cinemotion
- Fairview Capital
- HBS
- iHeart Media
- KPMG LLP
- MetroHartford Alliance
- PwC
- The Hartford
Flying Saucer Sponsors
- Shipman & Goodwin
- USA Waste & Recycling
- Vistra
For additional information, please contact Whitney Gray,
Director of Institutional Giving at
wgray@CTScienceCenter.org or
(860) 520-2124
SUPPORT THE GALA
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE 2023 GALA COMMITTEE
Chairs
- Jennifer DiBella
- Jilline Dolan
Members
- Taylor Benedum
- Marissa Corda
- Jennifer DiPentima
- Carla Economos
- Kate Greco
- Lori Hess
- Monica Hoffman
- Martha Kalen
- Shawna Klimaszewski
- Joy Mattei
- Maya Nicole Matthews
- Irene O'Connor
- MaryBeth Reiss
- Rachel Schilberg
- Kirsten Shea
- Rebecca Williams
- Nola Zimmerman
Meet the 2023 Award Honorees & Finalist
STEM Achievement Awards
![a close-up of an old man smiling](https://ctsciencecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Steven-CTSC_WinnerHeadshots2-1.jpg)
K-12 EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR HONOREE
Richard McCarthy Retired Science Teacher Frank Ward Strong Middle School![a woman with blonde hair](https://ctsciencecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Diane-CTSC_WinnerHeadshots-1.jpg)
HIGHER EDUCATION HONOREE
Rose KarvandiB.S. Physiology & Neurobiology
UCONN Class of ‘23
![a group of people wearing masks and holding a sign](https://ctsciencecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Athenas-Warriors-CTSC_WinnerHeadshots3-1.jpg)
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION HONOREE
Women’s League Child Development Center Hartford, CT![](https://ctsciencecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/David-Warriors-CTSC_WinnerHeadshots3-2.jpg)
INNOVATOR HONOREE (INDIVIDUAL)
Christopher Allen, Sr. CEO iCleanse![](https://ctsciencecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/David-Warriors-CTSC_WinnerHeadshots3-2.jpg)
INNOVATOR HONOREE (ORGANIZATION)
General Dynamics Electric Boat Groton, CT![](https://ctsciencecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Francisca-CTSC_WinnerHeadshots5-1.jpg)
YOUTH HONOREE
Nyasia M. Pitts Connecticut Science Center Teen Innovation Program ParticipantThe Petit Family Foundation Women in Science Leadership Award
![](https://ctsciencecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/CTSC_WinnerHeadshots_PETIT.jpg)
HONOREE
Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley Design Deputy Chief / Hot Section Engineering Airfoil PL3 Aftermarket & Sustainment Engineering (ASE) Pratt & Whitney![](https://ctsciencecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Maria-CTSC_WinnerHeadshots5-2-1.jpg)
STUDENT HONOREE
Ashley Malkin Greenwich High School![](https://ctsciencecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/CTSC_WinnerHeadshots_EmergingLeader.jpg)