TJ Students Travel to Japan for Tech Leadership Academy

Omar Saracevic and Michael Yue, students from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology in Alexandria are in Japan this week as part of a program organized by Toshiba, the National Science Teachers Association (NTSA) and the US-Japan Council.

Omar and Michael are two of eight students and four teachers selected from the United States to travel to Tokyo this month to participate in this year’s TOMODACHI program.

Patch got a chance to hear from Omar before he headed out of town.

Patch: What are you most excited about, going on this trip?

Omar: I am most excited about getting to experience the Japanese culture and interact with Japanese students in an international setting. In addition, I look forward to visiting the different science museums and interacting with Toshiba engineers to develop a disaster resilient community of the future.

Patch: Have you been thinking ahead of time about something you can do to make a community more resistant to disasters or is that something you’ll think about with others once you arrive? If you’ve already been thinking about this, tell us a little about what you are considering.

Omar: Ever since I applied to the program I have been thinking about how to make a community more resistant to disasters. Specifically, to make a community more resistant to tsunamis and other ocean or sea related disasters, flood walls need to be built that can sustain the high rise waves that ensue. In addition, cities need emergency plans and multiple escape routes to get their citizens to safety with each citizen having a mandatory emergency backpack consisting of food, water, radio with extra batteries and escape route map. There are a few more things that I am considering but I’ll save those for Japan haha.

Patch: What would you tell young students who are interested in math and science? Is there anything you did in your younger years that fostered a love for math and science?

Omar: I would tell a young student interested in math and science to always explore and use their imagination. Rather than spending time playing video games or staying indoors, I would tell them to explore their surroundings and always ask questions (i.e. why is the sky blue, how far away is the sun, etc.). Also I would tell them to start experimenting and researching at a young age. Science kits are cheap and available in local supermarkets or supplies to build your own structure or conduct your own experiment are plentiful. One specific experience that inspired me was in the third grade when I didn’t know much about science. I decided to participate in the local science fair with the urging of my teacher and my project tested which fruit would be the most moldy after four weeks. This experience started my science career and since then it grew by being in the gifted and talented program in Loudoun County known as Futura.

Patch: What do you like to do for fun?

Omar: I enjoy travelling, spending time with my brother, reading science journals (especially my school’s science journal which is title Teknos), playing the guitar, In addition, I am a part of my school’s varsity swim team and I excel in the 100 and 200 yard backstroke. I even have international experience in swimming as I have competed in the National Swimming Championships in Bosnia for the past three years.

Patch: Have you been brushing up on your Japanese? What sights are you interested in seeing in Japan?

Omar: I have been brushing up on my Japanese haha and have learned many common phrases from greeting people of different ages to saying thank you formally and informally. A Japanese friend that attends my high school taught me these phrases. In Japan I look forward to visiting various science museums, Toshiba museums, Toshiba factories, and the Tokyo Skytree Tower where I have heard you can see all of Tokyo with the 360 degree view.

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PHOTO: Omar Saracevic