On May 9, Annie Fisher STEM Magnet School students and families joined Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam, Matt Fleury, President & CEO of the Connecticut Science Center, and representatives from the Connecticut Science Center for a press event at Annie Fisher STEM Magnet School to celebrate the impactful, multi-year partnership between the school and the Connecticut Science Center– an innovative collaboration that has significantly boosted student achievement and engagement in STEM education.
An exciting cornerstone of the partnership was the presentation of the prestigious NASA Competition for the Advancement of Technology in Space (C.A.T.S.) Awards, honoring the creativity, perseverance, and innovation of a group of our 4th and 5th grade Annie Fisher STEM students. Their school proudly stands as one of only six schools nationwide to be participating in the esteemed NASA competition, sponsored by the Orlando Science Center.
Annie Fisher STEM Magnet School 4th and 5th grade students earned national recognition from NASA with awards for their innovation, creativity and achievement in the Competition for the Advancement of Technology in Space (C.A.T.S.), sponsored by the Orlando Science Center. This is a prime example of the strength and success of the STEM school’s partnership with the CT Science Center. As NASA forges ahead with plans to return astronauts to the Moon through the Artemis missions and expand our understanding of the universe with the James Webb Space Telescope, it has also committed to ensuring students across the U.S. can have the opportunity to experience space exploration. NASA chose five national expansion locations, prioritizing museums that had active partnerships with community organizations that facilitated after-school programs to find their future explorers. As a participating museum in the NASA program, the Connecticut Science Center selected Annie Fisher STEM Magnet School as one of only 6 schools nationwide to take part in the competition.
C.A.T.S. began this school year on October 21, 2024 and ended on April 11, 2025. Out of 12 students there were 6 teams of 2 pairs including 5 fight graders and 7 fourth graders. Through the course of this competition, students worked in teams, designing a lunar colony for future astronauts to live and work on the Moon. They dove deep into concepts such as engineering, plants, robotics, and electricity as they built a lunar habitat, food garden, lunar rover and circuits for their projects.
“Being selected to participate in the NASA C.A.T.S program was an incredible opportunity for our 4th and 5th grade students. At Annie Fisher STEM, our mission is to provide students with rich, hands-on learning experiences in STEM. Thanks to our strong partnership with the Connecticut Science Center, this exciting program became a reality,” reflects school principal Erin Wilson, “Our students showed outstanding collaboration and commitment throughout each module, fully dedicating themselves to the program over the entire school year. The C.A.T.S. program not only deepened their understanding of space and NASA's work but also sparked their curiosity and enthusiasm for STEM learning and the future of space exploration.”
Dr. Kondra Rattley, Hartford Public Schools Deputy Superintendent of Schools and Academic Excellence explores the students' projects
On speaking about her favorite part of the program, Annie Fisher STEM, student, Mya Anderson said, "What I enjoyed most about being on the CATS team was working with my partner to come up with ideas and build our Lunar base model. We shared our thoughts, solved problems together, and had fun creating. I really enjoyed getting to explore and share my ideas. I learned so much, and I'm really thankful for our teachers and for being part of this program at AFSTEM."
Students also gained insight into NASA's work by watching interviews with their engineers, which played a role in their understanding of the process and submitting their own engineering and astronaut logs. They developed problem solving skills, critical thinking and teamwork through unique tasks like testing vacuums, utilizing radiation meters, public speaking, in addition to building paper rockets and launching them with stomp rockets. Students were able to relate these simple yet challenging experiments to something complex, such as NASA engineers designing and building their own rocket ships to launch to outer space.
The STEM learning was critical in connecting students to STEM outside of school. “When we are teaching our kids we want them to relate their learning from the classroom to the real world. Kids don’t have that connection to STEM after they graduate. C.A.T.S. allowed our students the space to be creative, explore and express themselves through the engineering and design process to simulate the Artemis mission and engage with NASA engineers. It provided them a fully encompassing, authentic learning experience to transition from elementary school, to high school, to college, to outer space,” states Alicia McKernan 4th Grade Annie Fisher STEM Magnet School Teacher.
The Connecticut Science Center educators, Nicolas Villagra, STEM Engagement and Learning Specialists and Amanda Donelan, Senior Program Associate were also integral in facilitating and overseeing the NASA program. They visited Annie Fisher STEM Magnet School twice a week to partner with school teachers in helping lead the program and plan sessions. They also provided important background information and knowledge that were essential in teaching students skills for different challenges like learning how to code.
Connecticut Science Center educators, Nicolas Villagra, STEM Engagement and Learning Specialists and Amanda Donelan, Senior Program Associate who have been working with the students were on hand
“In C.A.T.S. I learned how to make circuits and learned how to make a perfect lunar base for astronauts and I learned how to code Rovers and how plants grow on the moon,” recalls Pragathi Balakarthik, Fourth Grade Student, Annie Fisher STEM Magnet School.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEM occupations are projected to increase 10.4% by 2033, compared to a 3.6% in non-STEM occupations with a median annual wage that is more than double that of non-STEM occupations. The rising demand for STEM professionals requires that we expand recruitment efforts beyond the traditional sources to fill this pipeline. C.A.T.S. provides opportunity to students in their neighborhoods – an untapped talent pool for future STEM professionals.
Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam spoke at the celebration of science and innovation
“NASA funding has enabled Orlando Science Center to engage students in the community with in-depth STEM learning opportunities and expose them to various STEM professionals and careers,” said JoAnn Newman, President and CEO of Orlando Science Center. “This type of multi-year funding is absolutely critical to allowing a consistent sustained presence in the community. We are inspiring tomorrow's space workforce today.”
Since the partnership’s inception, the Connecticut Science Center has reached 2,382 students at Annie Fisher STEM Magnet School and welcomed over 200 students on educational field trips to its Hartford-based Museum. This collaboration has helped drive a measurable increase in student achievement; NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) performance at Annie Fisher has risen by 11% since 2023.
“At the Connecticut Science Center, we believe that deep, sustained partnerships are the key to transforming STEM education. Our collaboration with Annie Fisher STEM Magnet School is a powerful example of what’s possible when community organizations and schools work together toward a shared vision” said Megan Ramer, Director of Programs at the Connecticut Science Center. “By providing immersive, hands-on STEM learning experiences both in and out of the classroom, we are not only supporting academic growth—we are helping students see themselves as future scientists, engineers, and innovators.”
The relationship between the Science Center and Annie Fisher STEM Magnet School dates to 2015. However, beginning with the 2022–2023 academic year, the partnership deepened significantly, introducing consistent, integrated programming across the school. Students benefited from regular hands-on STEM experiences, professional learning workshops for teachers, and new afterschool programming.
In Spring 2023, the Science Center launched an afterschool initiative providing eight weeks of engaging STEM activities for students in grades K–8. This successful program has continued to this day, enriching the lives of students and supporting their academic journey. The Science Center also established a special collaboration for middle school girls through SciGirls, an initiative of NASA and the National Girls Collaborative Project, offering students a conversation with a female NASA role model and an opportunity to envision their future in STEM fields.
The partnership has extended beyond day-to-day learning, including Family STEM Nights, professional development workshops for teachers, and Science Center participation in Annie Fisher’s school governance board. Annie Fisher students have proudly competed in the Science Center’s First LEGO League Expo year after year, with two teams participating in the 2025 competition – winning the Challenge Solution Award and the Fusion Force Award.
This sustained collaboration is a testament to the power of consistent community partnerships to drive real academic achievement and foster a long-term passion for STEM.
Both Annie Fisher STEM Magnet School and the Connecticut Science are excited for the future of this partnership. Looking forward to all of the possibilities ahead and the impact that can be made on young learners is exciting to think about.
Kudos to our AF-STEM students and educators for their hard work and innovation. We are proud to share this moment as Annie Fisher STEM Magnet School receives national recognition, and we celebrate how strategic partnerships can transform STEM education in Hartford.
IN THE NEWS:
WFSB.com: BRIGHT SPOT: Hartford magnet school celebrates student achievement