Events & Awards
Upcoming annual Student and Partner events, competitions, contests, scholarships, awards, and opportunities.
January
UConn ECE Student Scholarships
UConn Early College Experience recognizes outstanding UConn ECE Students each year with twelve $1000 scholarships, which can be used at any institution. Applications open in January and close in March, annually.
January
Connecticut High School Ethics Bowl
The High School Ethics Bowl was introduced to Connecticut in 2017-18 and hosted first by the University of Connecticut in the 2018-19 academic year. It is a day-long event for student teams who are interesting in debating the most challenging ethical issues of our time.
FEBRUARY
Italian Multimedia Contest
Started in 2024, the UConn ECE Italian Multimedia Contest invites students to express their creativity while strengthening their Italian language skills. Students create original multimedia projects that combine writing, visual art, and audio around an annual theme.
March
Connecticut History Day
Connecticut History Day is a program for students in grades 6-12 that encourages exploration of local, state, national, and world history. After selecting a historical topic that relates to an annual theme, students conduct extensive research using libraries, archives, museums, and oral history interviews.
March
UConn ECE Wallace Stevens Poetry Contest
Every year since 1964, a prominent poet has been invited to give a reading at UConn as part of the Wallace Stevens Poetry Program. UConn ECE Students are invited to submit a packet of poems, which are judged in the UConn ECE Wallace Stevens Poetry Contest.
March
Connecticut Science Olympiad
UConn Early College Experience hosts the annual Connecticut Science Olympiad competition. This event attracts approximately 45 Connecticut high schools from all corners of the State and approximately 1,000 high school students. The Connecticut Science Olympiad is the only qualifier for students to compete in the Annual Science Olympiad National Tournament.
March
Chinese Talent Show
Started in 2023, the UConn ECE Chinese Talent Show is held every other year during odd-numbered years to celebrate Chinese language learning and culture. Students showcase their talents through performances that highlight their creativity, language skills, and cultural understanding.
April
Professional Recognition Awards Ceremony
The UConn ECE Professional Recognition Award Ceremony honors outstanding UConn ECE Instructors and Site Representatives for their dedication to student success and program excellence.
Nominations are accepted from January through March, with recipients recognized each April at the annual award ceremony.
MAY
Chemistry Day
UConn ECE Chemistry Day brings together students from across Connecticut for a day of hands-on chemistry activities, demonstrations, and exploration. Participants engage with UConn faculty and students while experiencing chemistry beyond the high school classroom.
MaY
Site Representative Conference
The annual UConn ECE Site Representative Conference brings together site representatives from partner high schools for program updates, training, and collaboration. Attendees receive registration materials, learn about new policies and procedures, and connect with colleagues from across Connecticut.
May
Marine Science Symposium
The UConn ECE Marine Sciences Symposium celebrates the academic achievement of students throughout their UConn ECE Marine Sciences courses. Held annually at UConn Avery Point, UConn ECE Students from across the state submit posters focusing on the research and learning they have completed throughout their course. The Symposium is a day-long event.
May/ June
New Instructor Orientation
Newly certified UConn ECE Instructors are required to participate in a New Instructor Orientation. Orientation serves as a way to become more familiar with the program and course details. This event provides the opportunity to learn about program details, Instructor benefits, and course responsibilities.
Summer
Summer Institutes
UConn ECE hosts a number of multiday professional development opportunities that we call “Summer Institutes.” Our Summer Institutes are opportunities for UConn ECE Instructors to come on campus and engage deeply in the materials and discussion of their department.
September
Avery Point Cardboard Boat Race
The Avery Point Cardboard Boat Race (est. 2010) celebrates academic achievement and the spirit of competitiveness in this day-long event. Annually held at UConn Avery Point, Students, Instructors, Faculty, and UConn ECE Staff gather to learn and compete since 2014.
October
Italian Immersion Day & Quiz Bowl
Teams of 1-4 UConn ECE Italian students from across the state come together at the UConn Storrs Campus to participate in academic sessions with UConn Italian Department teaching assistants (TAs) in the morning and compete in a Jeopardy-style quiz in the afternoon.
OCTOBER
Neag School of Education Day
UConn ECE Neag Day introduces students to the field of education through interactive workshops, campus experiences, and conversations with faculty and current students. Participants explore careers in teaching while learning about academic opportunities in the Neag School of Education.
November
German Immersion Day & Quiz Bowl
UConn ECE German Immersion Day gives students the opportunity to strengthen their German language skills through interactive workshops and cultural activities and compete in a Jeopardy-style quiz in the afternoon. Participants engage with UConn faculty and peers while exploring German language and culture in an immersive campus setting.
November
French Immersion Day & Quiz Bowl
Every November since 2000, UConn ECE hosts the annual French Immersion Day and Quiz Bowl Competition. Teams of 1-4 UConn ECE French students from across the state come together at the UConn Storrs Campus to participate in academic sessions with UConn French Department teaching assistants (TAs) in the morning and compete in a Jeopardy-style quiz in the afternoon.