Technology Education in Connecticut: October 2009

See High School Category below

Call for Nominations: Women of Innovation Awards 2010

The Women of Innovation Planning Committee of the Connecticut Technology Council is seeking nominations of women in Connecticut for recognition of their efforts in the technology, science and engineering fields for the 2010 Women of Innovation Awards Dinner. The sixth annual awards dinner will be held at the Aqua Turf in Southington on January 28, 2010.

Nominate a Woman of Innovation Now (Nov. 6, 2009 deadline)

Honored will be women who are innovators, role models, and leaders who work as researchers, educators, managers or service providers in technology, science and engineering. Nominees can come from such fields as biotech, pharmaceuticals, telecom, software, computer hardware, electronics, alternative energy, nanotech, medical devices, IT, networks, communications and robotics.

Do you know a woman whose efforts should be acknowledged in science, engineering, technology research, or education, or is working in a company providing professional services to these communities, or is in a scientific, engineering or technology company management position? If yes, then please complete the nomination form by November 6th 2009.

Nominees are women who exhibit the extraordinary energy that powers a company or institution. They are hard working, entrepreneurial, and inspirational to others and motivated to excel. Nominating them allows us to recognize their efforts and their achievements.

Nominees may be growing or well-established in their careers. They may be shaping the future of their industry or institution, or starting a company, or serving as a role model for young women thinking about careers in technology, science, or engineering.

Nominees may also be young high school women, ages 18 or younger or college women, ages 18 to 25, who are enrolled as undergraduates or graduate students, who have excelled as young inventors, are academically proficient in a science or technology curriculum or have accomplished an extraordinary technology feat that should be recognized for its innovation and uniqueness.

Women of Innovation Nomination Eligibility Criteria

The nomination process is open to women working in the technology, science, and engineering communities, in business or academia, and employed in Connecticut.

Consider these criteria:

1. Possesses at least three years of managerial or technical experience in a technology, engineering or science-related company. The candidate does not have to be at the CEO, senior manager or a senior academic faculty member. We wish to recognize women who are playing an important role at a variety of managerial levels.

2. Has created a culture of innovation through her efforts. For example, the nominee has moved or played a key role in moving a company or institution to adopt new practices, processes or paradigms.

3. Thinks creatively and solves problems. Has led a company’s or team’s efforts to generate breakthrough ideas for new products and services.

4. Has demonstrated leadership abilities. Is able to motivate people to perform at their best, make work meaningful and rewarding, foster commitment and innovation, and attract and retain top performers. Is able to mobilize and lead teams and projects. Serves as a mentor.

5. If within academia, the nominee should be engaged in technology research, or work, curriculum development, and inspires and encourages other women to pursue careers in technology, science, or engineering. Serves as a mentor.

6. If a high school student 18 or younger, has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement in the technology or science areas of study or who has displayed inventiveness or creativity in those fields.

7. If a college undergraduate or graduate student, has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement in the technology, or science or engineering areas of study or who has displayed inventiveness or creativity in those fields.

8. If in a professional services field such as law, finance, accounting, marketing or consulting, the nominee should have worked specifically with technology, scientific, or engineering firms.

Fill out the following form and submit it for consideration. All nominations are due by November 6th, 2009.

Women of Innovation Nomination Form Step 1

You may nominate a woman for the appropriate category as described below. Nominees will be judged solely on the basis of a nominator's written presentation. Nominators are strongly encouraged to focus on the criteria that the nominees will be judged on and to provide specific information on as many of the criteria as possible. It is the responsibility of the nominator to provide a clear and accurate nomination.

Nomination Categories:

Research Innovation and Leadership

Definition: A woman who has developed new knowledge or products or improvements to products in a
corporate or academic setting. She has exhibited original approaches to research and has achieved peer
recognition in the technology, science or engineering disciplines. She has exhibited leadership ability by
leading research teams, motivating staff and securing funding and/or resources to enable her research program.
Judged on: a) Achievement in new product or idea development, b) Receipt of professional recognition,
c) publication and/or patent record, d) Scope of research program as evidenced by research funding, resource allocation, such as full-time staff assigned and the interdisciplinary scope of research team(s), e) Leadership

Academic Innovation and Leadership

Definition: A woman in an academic setting (elementary or high school, college, university, medical school)
who has created and fostered programs (in technology, science, and engineering) in curriculum development,
student research, and teacher-student collaborations. A woman who has secured outside funding and/or has
received peer recognition for her leadership and innovation in these areas. A woman who has worked to inspire
and encourage other women to pursue careers in technology, science or engineering.
Judged on: a) Innovative curriculum development, b) Academic awards or peer honors, c) Secured grants to
support this work, d) Mentorship, e) Leadership

Entrepreneurial Innovation and Leadership

Definition: A woman who has founded her own company or helped found a company. Has taken great
professional and financial risk to make her idea a reality.
Judged on: a) Entrepreneurship, b) Innovation c) Leadership

Large Business Innovation and Leadership

Definition: A woman with at least three years of managerial or technical experience in technology, science or engineering. Has managed a program, project or business unit in an exemplary way in a large corporation or professional services firm.
Judged on: a) Managerial skills, b) Leadership, c) Innovation

Small Business Innovation and Leadership

Definition: A woman with at least three years of managerial or technical experience in technology, science or engineering. Has managed a program, project or business unit in an exemplary way in a small company or professional services firm.
Judged on: a) Managerial skills, b) Innovation c) Leadership

Youth Innovation and Leadership

Definition: A young female high school student who has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement in the technology or science areas of study or who has displayed inventiveness or creativity in those fields.
(Note: The honoree in this category will win be awarded a modest scholarship).
Judged on: a) Academic achievement, b) Innovation and Creativity

Collegian Innovation and Leadership

Definition: A woman undergraduate or graduate student who has demonstrated exceptional academic
achievement in the technology, science, or engineering areas of study or who has displayed inventiveness or creativity in those fields.
Judged on: a) Academic achievement, b) Innovation and creativity

Community Innovation and Leadership

Definition: A woman employed in technology, science or engineering who has devoted her own time and
resources or marshaled those of her company or organization to supporting community organizations or
non-profits. Has created or encouraged a culture of giving at her company or place of employment or has
volunteered her time outside her workplace.
Judged on: a) Service to community, b) Leadership, c) Innovation