We are thrilled to announce that Umar M., a senior at Harmony School of Endeavor, has earned a Silver Medal in the Science Category at the prestigious Genius Olympiad 2024! The competition, hosted annually at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, brings together thousands of students from around the world to showcase their innovative projects addressing environmental challenges.

This year’s Olympiad saw over 2,450 participants from 65 countries, making Umar’s achievement all the more remarkable. His project, the "Smart Cane," is designed to aid visually impaired individuals by enhancing the traditional white cane. The device uses AI and computer vision technology to detect obstacles such as people, vehicles, and other objects in the environment, providing users with auditory feedback for safer navigation.

Umar’s inspiration for this project came from his friendship with a visually impaired individual, sparking his passion to develop a solution that could help improve lives. After engineering the mechanics and coding the AI, he designed and built a containment box with a 3-D printer.

The Genius Olympiad is not just a competition but a four-day cultural exchange event that includes an international culture festival and a day trip to Niagara Falls. The opening ceremony featured an inspiring keynote address by 2019 Chemistry Nobel Prize winner, Stanley Whittingham, who spoke on his groundbreaking work with lithium-ion batteries.

Umar’s success would not have been possible without the support of his mentor, Mrs. Gokgol, whose guidance was instrumental in the development and research of the "Smart Cane." Much of the work on this project was done outside of school hours, with Umar dedicating his time to perfecting the design and testing the AI technology.

"I was very excited just to be able to attend this incredible event," said Umar. "Winning a Silver Medal was a dream come true, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent my school and my community."

Umar has also excelled academically, with a perfect PSAT score of 1520, and leads Harmony’s Model UN team. Looking forward, he plans to pursue a degree in Computer Science, with a focus on using AI in biomedical research. His future is bright, as he continues to combine his passion for science with a dedication to helping others.

Harmony Public Schools is a Texas-born, Texas-wide public charter school system employing roughly 4,000 school professionals statewide. Harmony's Central Texas District has seven campuses in Austin, Cedar Park, and Pflugerville, with two more slated to open in Leander and Georgetown. The school’s curriculum places a heavy focus on STEM skills, Character Education, project-based learning, and college readiness. Applications for the 2025-2026 school year begin on November 1, 2024, at www.HarmonyTX.org/apply.