Educator, Faculty, and Staff Programs
The following programs supported by the Vergnano Institute for Impact to help educators strengthen their connection to STEM, as well as provide support and resources for University of Connecticut faculty and staff. If you have any questions, or an idea to help revive any of the programs below, please contact us.
Programs for Educators
The DaVinci Project
A program of workshops where middle/high school teachers learn to incorporate engineering in their curriculum. This program was archived, and is in the process of being re-lauched.
Programs for UConn Faculty and Staff
Connection and Monitoring
Our VII Newsletter for Faculty and Staff is called Inside Inclusion. If you are a faculty or staff member in the College of Engineering, you will automatically receive this monthly publication from either Tracy Maheu (the amazing Administrative Program Support for COE Undergraduate Programs) or Lara Chiaverini. Here we provide resources, events, and opportunities that we believe may be helpful to your belonging, professional development, and impact while working in COE
Grant and Community Engagement Support
VII supports proposal writing by providing ideation, written content and project collaboration in areas of: building and sustaining community partnerships, sharing opportunities to connect research to student learning, and cultivating and communicating impact with and for the people we serve. Through our collaborative infrastructure, VII helps investigators identify and engage with key stakeholders, including K–12 educators and community organizations, to ensure outreach efforts are authentic, inclusive, and impactful.
Staff and Faculty Learning Communities
Staff and Faculty Learning Communities are collaborative spaces where educators and professionals come together to explore shared interests, enhance their practice, and foster a culture of continuous learning.
VIIBE Mentoring Circles
We know that being in STEM is about more than just labs and lectures – it’s about finding your people and your “why.” Circles are small, identity-affirming communities where STEM students journey together with peers, alumni, faculty, and staff. Members learn from one another, share experiences, and build skills in a supportive environment while fostering connections, encouraging open dialogue, and developing personally and professionally.
Interested in Working With VII?
Share your passion for engineering with the next generation of students through our programs.