Japanese TV Journalists to Visit Ossining High

The following is from the OUFSD.

Journalists from a Japanese television station will be spending two days filming classes and interviewing students at in an effort to discover the keys to a truly innovative science program.

A crew from TV Asahi, one of the major national television networks in Japan, will visit the high school this week to interview the seven students who will be participating in the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh May 14 through 18, and to film science classes and science-related clubs.

Mariko Fukuyama, the producer for the segment, said the Japanese audience admires education in the United States, given that the U.S. produces more Nobel Laureate scientists than any other nation in the world and has the best universities for science. For this reason, she said, TV Asahi wanted to showcase an exceptional American high school program.

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“The word innovation is always related to American values and we are curious to see how high school students are (being educated to be) truly innovative,” Fukuyama said. “In Japan, although we may encourage all the students to do well in science, we may not be very good at nurturing some of the most talented students. We are hoping to see … the best environment for those students and (learn) how, not just teachers and parents, but our society/community can help those gifted kids.”

Ossining High School was one of three high schools nationwide nominated last month as an Intel School of Distinction Finalist for demonstrating excellence and innovation in science education. The Japanese TV crew will combine footage from Ossining with in-depth coverage of the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair.
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“As teachers who are passionate about education and science, we know the value of collaboration both within the school as well as with outside schools,” said Valerie Holmes, one of two science research teachers at the high school.  “We are really excited for this opportunity to share with the Japanese TV Crew some insight into the way we approach science in our research program and are careful not to forget the ways that others have helped us to grow our own research program.”

The preceding was provided by School Communications Coordinator for Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES Ellen Lane.