Today’s Owlcast is all about TED-Ed, the program that provides free, customizable activities for educators to support their students in identifying, developing, and sharing their ideas with each other and the world.

ACS Athens has been collaborating with other schools in these events, as they broaden students' perspectives and expose them to diverse viewpoints and ideas. This interaction encourages a sense of community and cooperation among students from different backgrounds, promoting cultural exchange and understanding. Additionally, it creates opportunities for networking and building relationships that can be beneficial for future academic and career endeavors. Such collaborations also add an element of healthy competition, motivating students to strive for excellence and push the boundaries of their knowledge and presentation skills. Overall, a TED-Ed club that participates in inter-school events is a powerful platform for student growth and development.

One such school that ACS Athens has partnered with is the  De Ring School in the city of Leuven, located close to Brussels in Belgium. The students of the TED club of this school visited us a few weeks ago, and came to the studio, where we found them eager to talk about their individual presentations. Their interaction with our own TED club was truly inspiring.

With us today is one of the ACS Athens TED advisors, Stavi Dimas.

Today we are joined by ACS Athens counselors from the Center for Student Success and students who earlier this spring attended an inspiring career day, featuring alumni mentors and also visited a vibrant college fair showcasing universities from the UK.

Through advisory classes and a supportive school environment, students are encouraged to express their uncertainties and develop self-awareness. We’ll hear stories of how involvement in diverse activities has helped students build confidence and realize that their career paths are not set in stone.

In today's episode, we have with us Anna Makris, Danai Papaioannou and Christelle Mattar, from the ACS Athens Center for Student Success. They talk with a dynamic group of students who attended both the 2024 Career Day and the UK University Fair and share their experience, their expectations and plans for the future. 

In this episode of the Owlcast, we are joined by an inspired and motivated group of educators who operate in the heart of emerging dynamics and shifting paradigms, guided by the Institute's North Star: preparing students today for the needs of the world tomorrow.

In a world increasingly affected by robots and AI, it's easy to lose sight of the real question: it's not the tool, but the user, that matters most. Dive into the ethical questions surrounding AI and robots, as we strive to raise awareness through informed education. And let's not forget the power of peer-to-peer teaching, whether it's through the Sewing for a Purpose club or the groundbreaking Can-Sat project.

So, get ready to immerse yourself in the world of immersive learning, where traditional education tools meet cutting-edge VR technology.

Our guests today: Carla Tanas, Dr. Natalie Mitchell, Katerina Apostolaki, Aristotelis Thymianos & Andreas Nikolopoulos

On this second episode of the Owlcast President’s edition with ACS Athens President Dr. Peggy Pelonis, we have a very special guest: A distinguished American diplomat who has lived in Greece for many years, serving the U.S. diplomatic corps but also education from top leadership positions.

Today, we dive into the intricacies of diplomatic relations between the United States and Greece, spanning from the tumultuous years of the 1940s to the dynamic landscape of the 2020s.

Our guest today is Richard L. Jackson, who offers a unique perspective on this topic, challenging conventional narratives and shedding light on lesser-known angles.

Join us as we attempt to unravel the threads of history, diplomacy, and humanitarianism with our esteemed guest, offering a fresh perspective on the enduring ties between the United States and Greece.

It’s one thing to visit and enjoy an art exhibition, seeing the artwork and the installations, and it’s quite another to listen to it. The artists sometimes are apprehensive about describing their art to an audience rather than a viewer, but when they start, a whole different world comes alive. The inner artist craves to speak out, on top of the visual representation of the art, explaining and exploring their own creative process.

Today, we’re visiting the 2024 IB Art Exhibit, which took place in the lobby of the ACS Athens Theater as it does every year. This year, there were so many themes, so much observation of our world, and so much reflection on modern life and its challenges.

Welcome to the captivating world of art, where the canvases are imbued with a plethora of emotions, themes, and experiences. The exhibition featuring works by International Baccalaureate students serves as a kaleidoscope of human existence, diving into the depths of the psyche and the intricacies of modern society.

View the image gallery of the exhibit here

This week is the ACS Athens Open edition, where student entrepreneurs and dreamers of new ideas come together to think out of the box and shape the future!

Joining us are the brilliant minds behind some truly innovative concepts that emerged from last year's ACS Athens Open. From the hydroponic green wall to gamified learning platforms, these students are redefining what it means to think creatively and boldly.

Their journey in the Owlcast today navigates them through the challenge of finding connections between seemingly dissimilar projects and trading places. They're also gearing up to deliver the ultimate elevator pitch to investors.

Today’s episode is about belonging to the NHS, the National Honor Society and the merits of being inducted into this prestigious organization. We are joined by two faculty advisors who have dedicated their energy and time to guiding students in joining and being active in NHS, as well as a remarkable high school senior who not only exemplifies the pillars of quality of an NHS member but also serves on the council for the second consecutive year. Together, we will explore the significance of NHS induction, its impact on students’ lives, and the invaluable experiences gained through active participation in this esteemed organization.

We will explore the multifaceted benefits of NHS membership, from the academic recognition it bestows to the opportunities for service and leadership that it provides. We will also talk about the ways in which NHS induction shapes students’ character, fostering a commitment to excellence, integrity, and community involvement that extends through their high school years into college and beyond.

Joining us today are NHS Advisors, Dr. Elina Prodromidi, Science Division Chair, and Ms. Matina Katsiyianni, Mathematics Academy Faculty.

Welcome to the first episode of the Owlcast, President’s Edition, with Dr. Peggy Pelonis, President of ACS Athens. In this episode, we unbundle and explore the vital role of K-12 counselors and advisors in our education system. We are exploring the multifaceted importance of these professionals in ensuring our children's safety, well-being, and holistic development.

Joining Dr. Pelonis, are Cheryl Brown, Founder and Executive Director of the International School Counselor Association, and Brooke Fezler, Founder and Associate Executive Director of ISCA. This podcast was recorded as The Annual Conference of the International School Counselor Association was being held in Athens, March 7-9, where the focus was "Keeping Our Students Safe" through Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging (DEIJB). This theme shaped the in-person 2 1/2 day event, offering workshops, keynote talks, panel discussions and workshops from counselors and leaders in the field centered around DEIJB principles.

Listen as we unpack the importance surrounding the function of K-12 counselors and advisors and envision a future where every student thrives.

Announcer: Tom Alexopoulos

Today's Owlcast is an audio journey through the celebration of Black History Month in ACS Athens. A group of students and their club advisors talk about the essence of humanity, as they explore the rich tapestry of perspectives, experiences, and cultures that make up our world over a series of activities and creating artifacts through the Month of February.

Students read poems expressing the anxiety and the pride, the misgivings and the hope, the trauma and the promise. They talk about the swag, the cultural spice that distinguishes the African American experience, while they try to tackle the danger of portraying the single-story racial monoliths in some media depictions.

Today we explore the many dimensions of the Black History Month celebration, one of the monthly cultural heritage and awareness celebrations at ACS Athens. Through our discussion, it becomes evident that true learning only happens when we embrace our differences and strive for deeper and more meaningful understanding of each other.

Our co-host today is Helen Seretis, Writing Studio Specialist at the Learning Commons of ACS Athens!

This is the last part of our two-episode series on Model United Nations, and specifically the THIMUN team 2024. The second group of this year's team, discuss and reflect on their experience and the global issues as young international students. In our conversation, we explore the diverse benefits that students derive from participating in THIMUN. Our guests highlight the invaluable experiences gained through engaging in intensive research, passionate debates, and collaborative problem-solving, all within the dynamic environment of international diplomacy.

Through their stories, we aim to inspire and empower listeners to embrace the enriching opportunities MUN offers, fostering a generation of global citizens equipped to tackle the challenges of our interconnected world. Join us as we embark on a journey of discovery and inspiration with these remarkable students who have dared to make a difference on the global stage.

This episode is Co-hosted by: Angela Chamosfakidis, THIMUN Team Advisor, and Academy Faculty