Anatolia College Hosts Michael Kratsios, U.S. Chief Technology Officer
On Monday, September 28, 2020, Anatolia College had the great distinction of hosting Michael Kratsios, Chief Technology Officer of the United States, and Deputy Assistant to the President at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Mr. Kratsios visited Thessaloniki as a senior member of the American delegation that traveled to the city for the signing of the by U.S. Secretary of State and Greece’s Minister of Development and Investments. During his visit to Thessaloniki, the U.S. Chief Technology Officer was given a tour of the newly constructed on the campus of Anatolia College.
Accompanying Mr. Kratsios was the U.S. Ambassador to Greece, Geoffrey R. Pyatt, and Greek Deputy Minister of Development and Investments, Christos Dimas, all of whom were welcomed by the President of Anatolia College, Dr. Panos Vlachos. The construction of the Anna Papageorgiou STEM Center was made possible by major grants from the USAID/ASHA (United States Agency for International Development/ American Schools and Hospitals Abroad), and the Papageorgiou Foundation. Additional financial assistance was provided by major Greek corporations as well as the Trustees of Anatolia College, and Anatolia College alumni and parents.
The STEM Center showcases the latest U.S. technology in alternative energy generation making the building practically self-sustainable. The building consists of three specialized labs dedicated to the scholarship of Chemistry, Physics, and Biology as well as student break-out rooms and teacher offices. This new state-of-the-art facility will be open to the greater community of Thessaloniki and all of Greece as Anatolia will host students for its Center for Talented Youth Greece programs, National High School Academic conference as well as other programs in science to students from the broader region.
In the Chemistry Lab, Mr. Kratsios watched an impressive experiment conducted by Anatolia College 9th grade students and viewed projects prepared by Anatolia College teams for STEM Competitions including STEM STAR Greece, F1 in Schools, and CanSat in Greece.
Michael Kratsios and U.S. Ambassador Pyatt watch an experiment conducted by Anatolia College students at the Chemistry Lab at Anna Papageorgiou STEM Center.
The Anatolia College students presented the project for the STEM Competition F1 in Schools. Two Anatolia teams have been qualified for the World Finals of "F1 in Schools".
The all-girls Aurora team presented the space type system they designed and built in a space type system able to fit inside the volume of a typical soda can. The team has qualified for the finals of the national competition CanSat in Greece.
Students present in the new Physics Lab the project that they will present at the STEM STAR Greece Competiton.
Talking to the Press, the U.S. Chief Technology Officer stated: “I have been lucky enough to come to Anatolia College and see amazing talented youth working on incredible science and tech matters. It is a delight to be in Thessaloniki, and a real pleasure to visit. A number of really impressive students are working on fantastic projects relating to weather, skills in the realms of racing cars, and many other things. It is really impressive to watch, and this beautiful facility here can help make it possible.”
“It is our great pleasure and honor to welcome Michael Kratsios and Ambassador Pyatt to our new Anna Papageorgiou STEM Center that received generous funding from USAID / ASHA. Throughout Anatolia’s long history, we have been the fortunate recipient of valuable support from this American organization for which we are eternally grateful." said the President of Anatolia College, Dr. Panos Vlachos. “The design of this model building is based on modern environmentally friendly technologies developed in the U.S allowing us the opportunity to import educational know-how to offer innovative programs to students and young people from the wider educational community".
The Deputy Minister of Development and Investments Christos Dimas stated how deeply impressed he was by the new facility and the “high level of knowledge and new technologies the students have been exposed to from such a young age. The fact that they realize the need to connect scientific knowledge with entrepreneurship and innovation, makes us keenly hopeful for the next generation. We know that Anatolia College will be a shining example for all schools, either private or public."
From left: Dr. Panos Vlachos, President of Anatolia College, Michael Kratsios, Chief Technology Officer of the United States and Deputy Assistant to the President at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, LynneParker, Deputy Chief Technology Officer of the United States, Christos Dimas, Greek Deputy Minister of Development and Investments.
The Anna Papageorgiou STEM Center
The Anna Papageorgiou STEM Center represents the type of necessary infrastructure improvements required by Anatolia College to support its new learning paradigm. The Center exemplifies the sensitivity to environmental impact and energy efficiencies achieved by the use of modern architectural planning with the incorporation of bioclimatic designs, renewable energies, and the focus on zero emissions. This process of sustainability will become a visible learning tool for teachers and students with the installation of a digital information system that will measure real-time energy production and consumption of the building that covers 950 square meters. The new building will host laboratories for both Gymnasium and Lyceum students as well as servicing the needs of our Center for Talented Youth (CTY) Greece program. Anatolia College will also benefit by vastly expanding its already flourishing STEM programs and support the collaboration with external organizations introducing yearlong programs to students of the wider community. The building was designed by schema 4 architects.