PRESIDENTIAL CLASSROOM

The Science & Technology Experience

By PC Scholar AuthorNinjaearth

Greetings family, friends, and acquaintances! I’m going to share with you a life-changing experience that took place during one special week! During that week, I had an opportunity to meet new people that would be my doors to future opportunities. That one week was one that I have never experienced before! It was a week in which I, and other students, had a chance to act and be treated like true adults! We had early rises and a very organized, packed schedule full of meetings, seminars, on-site visits, and tours! This was a week where over 300 students got a chance to see Washington D.C. in action; this was a chance to experience science and technology at its’ planning for the future of our world! This was the week of the science and technology program of Presidential Classroom.

Man, this week started off very simple, but then moved to a more complex week with self-dependent rest and assurance of schedule! Saturday, June 17, 2000 was the first day of the science & technology program! This was held at the Georgetown University Conference Center! I arrived at the conference center about five minutes to one thirty that afternoon! Registration and check in was to be from one thirty to six o’clock that afternoon! Upon my arrival, an intern, whom I’ll call “Stone”, was there to greet my father and me. He guided us to the registration area and gave me directions on what do after I received my room assignment and daily! Later that day, I met my other roommates whom were from Louisiana, California, and Texas! As time approached toward our first meeting, which was actually a welcoming introduction for our weekly stay, we received the rules for the week, our caucus group assignments, and our Presidential Dailies! In the caucus meeting, we introduced ourselves and we received instructions, basic rules, and plans for that stated our objective within the caucus meeting! The caucus groups, as it relates to PC, is a group of forty assigned students and two instructors. Within the caucus meetings, the students and the instructors select and discuss a current issue report that is to be presented on the last day of the program! On top of that, the students really plan and work on the report while the instructors assist and facilitate the meeting! On aside of the current issues report, we discuss the schedules and activities for the next day and other issues that involve our participation during this one week stay! Our schedules, or dailies, consist of places and/or activities, their times, and descriptions along with important directions that guide us through our day! Basically, they serve as our agendas for the day, and if we lose them, we’ll have to find someone who has one or we’ll be lost!

So, through that first night, we received basic instructions, and our materials for the week which would be: a presidential folder (blue business folder that consisted of a copy of “Presidential Classroom Outlook 2000"), room number and key, and our crossfire assignments. For the most part, we had to have and wear business attire during most of the day! Our curfew was 11pm and our wake-up calls would vary depending on our schedule for the next day!

On the second day, our wake-up call was 8am. Since it was Sunday, we had the choice of signing up for the “Catholic Mass” service, in which I did. Of course I had to get up earlier around 6:30am to prepare for my departure to the Holy Trinity Catholic Church for the service at 7:30am. After coming back to the Conference Center, breakfast was served from 8:30am to 9:30am. They also gave us a choice to participate in a short service called an Interdenominational Service which was from 9 to 9:30am. After that, we had to report to our caucus meeting fifteen minutes after breakfast! During this period we were allowed to wear our casual attire! During this caucus meeting, we had to select our topic for our current issue report, which was Microsoft. We, then, had to discuss the problem associated with Microsoft at this time and everything that was involved with it! After the meeting, which lasted for an hour, we reported to our first crossfire! During this first crossfire, we discussed the American Political Process: The role of the media . The crossfires went on for an hour, and during the discussion, or debate, we got a chance to hear different opinions and views about the role of the media in our society today, both constitutional and unconstitutional! Next, we departed for lunch and touring at 12:15pm for Union Station. Our time limit was from 12:30pm to 4pm. Later that day around 4:15pm, we departed for dinner and shopping at Pentagon City Mall. We left for the conference center about 6:30pm. Upon arriving at the conference center, we had to attend the keynote address given by Mr. Gregory A. Schuckman, Director of Federal Relations. That went on for an hour and we reported to our nightly caucus meeting following that address. Mr. Schuckman spoke about the role of the government in Engineering and Technology Policy. Basically, what he was saying that this policy is simply just about money. The government spends billions of dollars on research, rather than spending money for social programs and important issues that involve the survival of man! Later on that week, a crossfire followed up on what we heard during that address! Moving on, we were free for the rest of the night and our curfew was at 11pm.

Day number three came very quickly, but our wake up call was still the same, for now! We began our busy day, after breakfast, at the U.S. Department of Agriculture for our seminar! Our speaker was the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Donna Shalala. She spoke about the executive branch of government in her part. She discussed issues involving the elderly like medical issues, pharmaceutical HMO’s, and medicare & social security. Of course, she discussed more topics, but my notes only declare what I heard and really focused on during the seminar! After the seminar, we departed for our on-site tours, which was discussed and planned the previous night during the caucus meeting! I signed up to travel to ARL, the Army Research Laboratory. Along with my companion and friend, whom I’ll call Tony, we got a lecture and tour of the Army Research laboratory! In this laboratory, ARL researches and provides electronic welfare, nuclear & electromagnetic effects, survivability, and information welfare! (complex terms, I know) During our visit, we discovered how ARL is creating technology for soldiers survival during wars, battles, etc. They use and create this technology to make survival a higher rate during distant battles for our military boys! After the on-site tour, we depart for Union Station and dinner! After that, we return home, the conference center, for our nightly caucus meetings and lounge time.

Tuesday was a very special day for us! This is where PC received a special invitation to see the White House Arrival of His Majesty Mohammed VI, King of Morocco. It was a great ceremony, beside the fact that it went on for an hour while we were standing up on the lawn the entire time! It was hot and very humid! (Try wearing business attire in the sun, at about 90 degrees for one approximate hour! You might like it) After the ceremony, we departed for our Senate and House Appointments on, where else, Capital Hill! During this period, I had one appointment with one of the Maryland State Senators, Senator Sarbanes. Unfortunately, due to the busy schedule of the senator, we, the ten student representatives from Maryland (there were actually twelve representatives from Maryland), met with the senator’s secretary Nora Grinnell! She basically told us about the senators term in office and a little of the senator’s history! After that appointment, we departed for our class photo near Grant’s Statue! Next, we departed back home to report to our caucus community workshops! The only thing we did was received a form and letter about the honors program for PC. An intern talked it over with us! Afterwards, we had dinner and then reported to our next crossfire! During that crossfire we discussed Science and Technology: What role for Government? During this time, students, along with a facilitator, debated about what we believe the governments’ role is in technology. Of course, different students were divided into categories in terms of what we chose to discuss. I was in the Environmental Policy crossfire. We talked about basic problems like pollution, ozone depletion, and gasoline extinction. We had our final caucus meeting and received our next daily, following the crossfire session.

Day four, for some of us, was very unusual and scary. What made it scary was this: a visit to the NSA, National Security Agency. During this trip, we couldn’t have any recording equipment, with exception of my note pad and pin, cameras, video cameras, or any audio equipment. An example of the consequences was demonstrated by one of the students. A female student, while on the bus coming into the parking lot, took a picture of the facility. Of course, I didn’t see her do this, nor did Tony, but the bus came to a stop. A few officers came on the bus and said and quoted, “Someone took a picture from this bus.” How they spotted that was a mystery! Anyhow, they wanted to know who did it and she identified herself! Then, they confiscated the camera, and weather or not she received the camera back is a mystery to me. We got off the bus, and they searched electronically searched us! Then, after getting in our groups, we were led inside the building. Everywhere we went, from the time we arrived until the time we left, security was with us! Talk about heavy surveillance! However, the visit was nice and we even had a chance to participate in famous game, “Who Wants To Be A Cryptologist?” (Don’t ask, but you’ve seen “Who Wants to be a Millionaire, right?)

After the NSA visit, we depart to the National Academy of Sciences where our next seminar was. Afterwards, we traveled to Music City Roadhouse for dinner! Following this, which was what I found very interesting, we traveled to the Crystal City hotel to see a live show, called the Capital Steps. They perform political issues that are currently discussed on Capital Hill and Congress by providing humor and wacky acts of our president and other people! Very hilarious I would say! After this, we traveled back home to for our caucus meetings. By the way, our wake up call was at 6:15am, so you can imagine how we were feeling around this time!

Day number five was very familiar to us, with exception to some additional activities of course! We returned to Capital Hill to make our appointments with our Senators and Congressmen! I met the intern for my second state senator, Mary. The senator was Senator Mikulski, whom was on vacation I think! She told us about the Senator and we asked a few questions. After that, we prepared to meet our state representative, Albert Wynn. To my knowledge, I and two other people met with Congressman Wynn’s assistant worker! He showed us around and gave us some information. Then we left and prepared for dinner! All this was after our morning seminar! Our morning seminar was at the Hart Senator Building, and we reported to a room where senator Barbara Boxer spoke to us about science and technology from a senator’s perspective. She merely spoke about genetically engineered foods and how experiments and scientist are finding out weather or not they are safe for consumption. After that one hour seminar, we went to Capital Hill and, of course, you know the rest! After our Capital Hill visits and our picture, we returned home for our nightly caucus meeting.

Oh yeah! I forgot the seminar on the industry’s view of science and technology policy given by Mr. Buzz Hefti, Vice President of Government Relations. He spoke about how technology has evolved from the past, and a certain company slowly began to make it to the top. He showed examples on how today’s technology makes life easier than the past years! He talked about credibility and gave us a challenge to get more involved in the political world!

Finally, not really last, but the big day most of us had been waiting for! Day six was very awesome and very eventful! Today is the day where we are able to travel to Arlington Cemetery. Before that, however, we had to have our final crossfire and present our current issue reports! We started the day off with our final crossfire which was on Domestic issues. Of course, all students have selected three specific topics in Domestic issues to be in, so I’ll discuss the topic of research versus social programs. During this final debate/discussion, we focused on the statement, thanks to the adult facilitator, “Who controls the tax money and where should it go?” We threw out numerous places and programs that the tax money should be used and we discussed who controlled the taxes. It was very interesting on how many views there were! This went on for an hour, and then it was time to report to the master salon for the presentation of current issue reports for caucuses one through eight!

Caucus one discussed the issue of satellite surveillance and how it could cause loopholes for civilians and officers. Also, they discussed that it could cause crimes to be solved faster, but it would be highly expensive! Caucus two discussed the issue of school violence! They mentioned how some schools have a high rate of violence and how the media plays a vital role in providing certain information to the youth. Also, they discussed that parents need to get more involved in their children’s school life. Plus they discussed how ID badges and surveillance cameras weren’t being too effective in high schools! This was the most interesting one, I thought! Caucus three discussed the issue on e-signatures (Electronic Signatures). They discussed the tension of the new bill for e-signatures and the possibilities of them being easy duplicated. They discussed on how it would violate privacy and possible fractions that could occur upon allowing e-signatures into the world. Caucus four discussed an issue on space exploration or the mission to Mars. They were basically saying that scientists have a desire to explore new areas and to discover unlimited resources possibly on other planets. Also, they discussed how this mission to Mars was receiving criticism and how this mission was highly expensive. Caucus five, my group, discussed the issue of Microsoft. During this time, we discovered that Bill Gates, owner of Microsoft company, had ran into conflict with our government. The government, as it seemed, wanted to compromise with Microsoft about making so much money that it was basically creating a monopoly, the buying and merging of companies to create a large a cooperation or business! Since monopolies, of course, are illegal, Microsoft was displeased by this! So they had mentioned the possibility of separating the company or moving to Canada. Based on our data and observations, we concluded that the case is currently being handled by the Supreme Court! Caucus six discussed an issue on a land base missile defense system. They discussed the threats of Russia’s artillery and lasers, kinetic interceptors, and sensors. They concluded that this system could be the most reliable system of defense. Caucus seven discussed an issue on Genetics & Problems of Genetic Engineering. This was a pretty good report also! They discussed how scientists are trying to play “God.” They discussed the customizing of children and food the defects of DNA and how this could be treated with genetic engineering. They discussed on how this could be the answer to curing cancer, AIDS, and lung cancer, etc. and how this could open doors to society’s problems. Finally, caucus eight discussed grand-theft auto or NAPSTER. They discussed about having digital music files and illegal acts of NAPSTER and what would be the possible future upon accepting NAPSTER (I didn’t take note of what this means, but I remember them not really mentioning of what this means! If they did, I missed it)

Later that day, we departed for the Ronald Regan Building for lunch and touring. However, we really only had time to eat because time was against us! That’s when we left for Arlington Cemetery! At Arlington Cemetery, we made a hike to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers! This was pretty neat! A soldier was vigilant at the tomb! As we gathered around the large tomb, we all had to keep silent as the laying off the wreath ceremony took place. A few selected members from our class have a chance to actually lay the wreath on the tomb! After that, it was back to the bus for us! Not too much to do now! This was basically our last trip away from the conference center! As we arrived back home, the conference center, we had to get dressed in our “graduation gear.” We had a banquet from 6:15 to 8pm. I sat at the table with several of my caucus members and, of course, Tony! While eating, we had the pleasure of hearing three selected people read their report on heroes. After that, the director of PC spoke to us briefly and then we just talked and ate until time was up! Following the banquet, we had our final caucus meeting which was really nothing other than saying our good-byes and forming distant contacts! We received our certificates and students took pictures of everyone receiving certificates. This was certifying that we had took place in the Science and Technology part of PC. I have the certificate in my achievement bank. Last, but not least, we had our dance. That lasted from 9:15pm to midnight. Curfew was 12:30am. I did go to the dance, but I only stayed for about an hour; I left early to my room to get a head start on packing!

Day seven was none other than, “Thank-you-for-coming-now-please-go-home-before-the-appointed-hour” time. We got up at 7am for our wake up call and gathered up all our belongings to go home (our real homes). I bid farewell to my friends and roommates, and mom and little brother pulled up around 8:30am. I told them what a wonderful experience it was and we drove home.

Man, as you can see we did a lot! There’s even more things that we did that I didn’t bother putting in this report, but it was just about everything! We were also able to buy gifts from the student store, which was only available on Monday and Thursday. I bought souvenirs for myself and for a special person. During my stay at the conference center, I took a self tour of the facility and it was very huge. They did have a decent amount of pay phones available, though! I think I spent most of my money on calls rather than souvenirs and food! Also, I did manage to take pictures using a limited amount of film, which I still need to develop. In addition to that, we did tour Capital Hill and the Capital Building! Please remember this statement, “Never travel through the Capital or Capital Hill alone, especially if you take the political subway!” So I got lost because on that second visit I traveled alone, big mistake! I did make it to the bus on time, though! Let’s see? What else should I share with you all? Oh yeah, I did manage to have bible study during my stay there, but it was only two nights! Overall, the experience was great! The program is really great and the schedule is something worth trying! I learned about Congress, Capital Hill, and more things that increased my knowledge of our government. I even went into an actual committee hearing. Due to rules, however, I was unable to take notes and I forgot what they discussed! However, it was cool just being present in the middle of an actual Congressional event.

The Presidential Classroom calls forth the best students in the country to attend their programs. The Presidential Honors program, those papers we received during the community workshop, allows us to receive a special recognization if completed. I plan to get it done to further my success to college and I will encourage others to get the high marks in school, so they can have an opportunity to participate in the best activities with only the best in the country! I’m really blessed that I was and am one of them. God has blessed so much that I really can’t really stop talking about his blessings that he has given me! This is also a testimony about hard work and success! If you don’t work hard, then you’ll miss out on the best blessings God can give you! I don’t mean work hard and expect something from it, it is given to you because you are supposed to work hard! The blessings and opportunities come to those who know and don’t expect anything in return. That’s how you get blessed! Thank God for his mercy and grace and blessings!

What an experience I had! I pray that everyone works hard, children, adults, teens, whoever or wherever the case for anyone! Working hard brings forth it’s value upon the time you began to think hard and pursue hard! Further information about the Presidential Classroom can be found from myself or the website I also want to take this time to thank all those who supported me! First I want to thank God for giving me such a huge and very special blessing. Next, I want to thank my mom for encouraging me to do my best in school! Next, I want to thank my dad for informally introducing me to a great guy that made this experience possible! That in mind brings me to thank Mr. John Fauth for providing the funds necessary for this trip. I may have not met him yet, but for someone to take a portion of what they own for someone else they barely know is quite a blessing! I’m really in debt to Mr. Fauth! I thank him, among all the people I have mentioned! He’s a blessing from God all the way! I want to thank the church for taking the opportunity to acknowledge my achievement that has been given to me! Finally, I want thank my friends, and partly my school, for supporting me with their prayers and encouragement! One special thank you goes to a very special girl who has made me realize that anything is possible if one tries to pursue righteous fruit!

In conclusion, I’d just like to say that I encourage all to continue to do your best and to come see me if you would like to talk about the details of this report in full detail! Until then, this is PC Scholar saying, “If one tries to be successful and pursues righteousness in the right way, then success will already be present in the form of believability, pure-hearted confidence, and God-fearing intelligence!” God bless you all!