On May 2, more than 40 Middle and Upper School students presented their work from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) courses and projects from the 2024-25 school year. Following opening remarks from Head of School Randall Dunn, Director of STEAM Dr. Cathie Bischoff, and Director of the Science Research Program Jennifer Doran, attendees explored the symposium of student STEM projects from the 2024-25 academic year in Pinkham Garden Lounge.

The STEM Symposium is a celebration of curiosity, perseverance, and innovation. Our students aren’t just learning science; they’re contributing to it—pushing boundaries, asking big questions, and finding creative solutions to real-world challenges.
- Jennifer Doran, Director of the Science Research Program

Family, faculty, staff, and science research mentors were inspired by the excellence, curiosity, collaboration, and mentorship that was evident in the projects on display, including:

• The rigorous work of Upper School Science Research, spanning disciplines ranging from biochemistry and neuroscience to environmental science and machine learning. These innovative and advanced projects were conducted in collaboration with mentors from both RCDS and prestigious institutions worldwide.
• The environmental science projects that were presented at the Greenlight Awards—creative, research-driven proposals aimed at solving pressing sustainability challenges in our local and global communities.
• The well-researched arguments of Upper School students who competed in the Young Physicists Tournament (YPT) who debated solutions to several physics problems, including building with Jello, the mechanics of flying discs used in disc golf, the interaction of the sizzler noise magnets, and the phenomenon of atmospheric scintillation. 
• The functional prototypes of student-led projects created in the Makerspace by participants in the STEAM Engineering and Design Program. Through hands-on challenges, design thinking, and interdisciplinary problem-solving, students designed solutions to address both personal and community needs.
• The projects and findings of Middle School students in the RISE: Research & Innovation in Science and Engineering Club. With guidance, these young scientists shared their curiosity, creativity, and growing scientific expertise in their respective research.