Gatton Academy Students Participate in National Youth Policy Summit

Six rising seniors from the Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky participated in the 2009 National Youth Policy Summit held in Keystone, Colorado. Joining thirty of the nation’s brightest future leaders in science and math, the student participants addressed the critical issue of greenhouse gas reductions.

Gatton Academy participants included Elaine Flynn of Demossville, Alexander Hare of Morehead, Ballard Metcalfe of Eminence, Holly Mitchell of Salvisa, Kaitlin Oliver of Central City, and Hunter Smith of Elizabethtown.

The students assembled in Colorado on Monday for a week-long discussion to engage energy representatives from industry, government, and non-profit sectors. These young leaders specifically focused on what economic opportunities exist nationally to address the issue of greenhouse gas reductions, explained Annemarie Fussell, the program’s co-director.

Students spent the spring semester in preparation for the conference by conducting original research. Students were assigned research topics to address certain wedges of the topic of carbon reduction. Mitchell noted students were additionally assigned a stakeholder organization to research and represent their point-of-view.

Her research area focused on a proposed move from coal to natural gas as well as the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Throughout the week, Mitchell was responsible for advocating for the natural gas initiative and also for the interests of her stakeholder.

On Wednesday, the students spent the day with a group of expert panelists that included individuals from the Colorado Governor’s office, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Rocky Mountain Institute, Western Resource Advocates, Schlumberger Carbon Services, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, and the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity. Students were able to learn from these real-world experts and stakeholders on a variety of levels.

Flynn commented on the benefit of having access to the expert panel. “I gained insight into what we were expected to do and also saw first-hand some career opportunities,” she said.

By the Summit’s conclusion on Saturday evening, the group of students will reach a consensus and formulate policy recommendations that will be published and shared with members of Congress, governors and state legislatures, as well as business and non-governmental organization leaders.

Peter Adler, President of The Keystone Center, commented on the value of the National Youth Policy Summit. “Across a political landscape beset by cynicism, squabbling, and backbiting, it is refreshing to find moments of lucid thinking and reasoned problem solving,” Adler said. “It is even more delectable when the problem solvers are young and knowledgeable and when, despite profound disagreements with each other, they manage to accomplish what lawmakers cannot: a sensible plan for the future. Examples like this inspire us. They show us that it is possible to rise above our partisan interests for the common good.”

Teaming with other gifted students from across the country to formulate these policy recommendations is one unique hallmark of the National Youth Policy Summit. “It has been a wonderful experience for me to be able to meet lots of interesting and fun students from other schools like the Gatton Academy,” added Metcalfe. “I have enjoyed working collaboratively with other students to solve some of today’s biggest problems.”

The Keystone Center prepares leaders of today and tomorrow with the 21st century intellectual and social skills they will need to resolve society’s most challenging energy, health, environmental, and resource problems. After a week of debate, joint effort consensus, and professional writing, Oliver hopes that all the students will be able to take something bigger away. “I hope that this week will help all of the students here learn how to combine the research with policy. This summit gives us the tools to know what to do in the future.”

The Keystone Science School houses the students during the National Youth Policy Summit, serving as a leadership camp experience during the students’ free time. These academic, athletic, and social activities contribute to the students building a network of peers across the country. Hare said, “Outside of the Summit-related activities, we have had a lot of fun doing things like ultimate Frisbee, mountain hiking, and board games. When the sky was clear we could watch the stars at their observatory.”

 Smith believes the atmosphere at Keystone contributes to the entire process. “Probably the coolest thing about Keystone is the relaxing environment around us. With the clear night skies and the mountainous terrain providing a stress-free atmosphere, we have been able to buckle down and develop bigger ideas,” he said.

Experience such as the Youth Policy Summit are a part of the extraordinary learning opportunities afforded to Academy students, noted Derick Strode, coordinator for research, internships, and scholarships.

“The Gatton Academy is fortunate to have six students participating in the National Youth Policy Summit,” Strode said. “They are developing their own personal leadership skills while making a creative contribution to major world issue. I cannot imagine a better way for these students to be spending part of their summer.”

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