Science Week 2025 | News | Worcester Academy

Worcester Academy celebrated an exciting and engaging Science Week from April 22 to 25, offering students opportunities to dive into hands-on learning, explore emerging research, and connect with professionals across scientific fields. With support from faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and community partners, programming featured a full schedule of interactive sessions, dynamic presentations, and cross-divisional collaboration.

A Week of Discovery and Dialogue

Each day during the Lunch & Learn series, students heard directly from leading voices in science and research:

• Professor Florencia Anggoro from Holy Cross shared how language and culture shape our thinking and learning, while Dr. Katie Beachem offered insights into bonobo communication and her path through a PhD program in evolutionary biology.
• Thomas Wales ’93 and Kevin Mangaudis ’11 spoke about their journeys in chemistry and biotech, highlighting the many ways careers in science can evolve.
• Students also learned about MedLife’s service trip over March Break and heard from a panel of healthcare professionals who described the realities and rewards of working in the medical field.

Campus-Wide Engagement

• On Tuesday, the Green Team led a successful Earth Day clean-up during advisory, helping students make a visible and meaningful impact on the local environment.
• Wednesday featured a special Upper School and Middle School partnership, as Upper School students taught science lessons to their younger peers, fostering both mentorship and curiosity across divisions.
• On Thursday, a Science Fair during X Block spotlighted student innovation from Science Olympiad, HOSA, the Science and Engineering Fair Club, and several science classes.

Discovery Sessions: Science in Action Across Campus

Science Week concluded with Discovery Sessions on Friday, as students explored a wide range of scientific fields through engaging talks and workshops led by alumni, parents, fellow students, and professionals. The Discovery Sessions showcased the many ways science shapes our world, inspiring students to think critically, explore new ideas, and imagine their own paths in STEM fields.

Highlights included:

• Medical Innovations: Dr. Mark DiStefano ’70 reflected on his 46-year career in medicine, while Leslie Mason P’27 discussed her journey from pre-med studies to leadership roles in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Engineering and Technology: Myron Clemence ’07 spoke about his work in engineering, space, magnets, and fusion, offering students a glimpse into cutting-edge research and technology.
• Genetics and Biopharmaceuticals: Alila Amangali ’16 described her research path from Rochester to Oxford, while Bob Valentine ’05 shared insights into innovations within the biopharmaceutical industry.
• Interactive Workshops: Students participated in activities such as the "Formula for Fun" chemistry demonstrations, a "Dissection Demo" exploring anatomy, and the "Boomerang Challenge" focused on design and physics. A Green Team-led gardening session emphasized environmental stewardship.
• Ethics and Society: Sessions like "Ethics in Science: A Case Study" and "Eugenics in the U.S." sparked important discussions about the societal impacts of scientific research and discovery.

Building Thinkers, Leaders, and Explorers

Science Week 2025 reflected Worcester Academy’s commitment to experiential learning, interdisciplinary exploration, and meaningful community partnerships. We are grateful to all who participated, especially the guest speakers, student leaders, and faculty members who made the week such a success.