JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Johns Creek High School sophomore Aditya Bora recently had the opportunity to learn from the top science officers in the nation Oct. 7-12 at an international conference in Washington D.C.
Bora was one of two students chosen to represent Georgia at the International Chief Science Officer Summit.
“The event was for students to make connections with people that were responsible for making STEM policy and also in order to advocate for student voice,” Bora said.
Throughout his time at the conference, Bora spoke with several advocates and advisers from different sectors of the science, technology, engineering and math world, as well as leaders in education.
Bora spent his first day being trained in communications and journalism. He spent the following days at the White House meeting with officials.
In a meeting with the former chief technology officer, Megan Smith. Bora shared his view that students should have a greater voice in the policy making process for education.
Bora also met with Google software developers at their D.C. office.
“A cool aspect was sitting in on House and Senate meetings,” Bora said. “We went to the House’s Committee of Science, Space and Technology. I spoke with them regarding getting involved in policy.”
During a visit to Georgia Sen. Johnny Isakson’s office, Bora pushed for an increase in engineering and computer science curriculum in middle and elementary schools.
After a visit to NASA’s headquarters, where he met three leading astrophysicists, Bora went on to meet with France Cordova, the director of the National Science Foundation.
He ended his trip with a visit to Jeffery Weld, senior policy adviser in STEM education for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, to advocate for the inclusion of student input when considering education policy.
Bora said he hopes to continue his passion in engineering and education policy by remaining active in getting his voice heard.
Retrieved From: Dimarco, J. (2018, October 23). Johns Creek science student visits big brains in Washington. Retrieved from https://www.northfulton.com/johnscreek/johns-creek-science-student-visits-big-brains-in-washington/article_d97d917c-d67a-11e8-8e32-e3453ecba991.html
