Liza Goldstone ’20 has been an engaged member of the Crown Joules robotics team throughout her Upper School career. However, until eighth grade, she had not envisioned pursuing a future in robotics and engineering.
“During a computer science wheel course, Mrs. Saunders introduced me to the vast opportunities in STEM — a realm I knew little about and had not previously considered for myself. My curiosity as well as my connection to Mrs. Saunders led me to undertake a few projects with her, which included joining the Technology Student Association (TSA). I knew I wanted to continue to learn from and work with her in Upper School.”
It was Liza’s older sister Ava ’18 who spotted a flyer for the robotics team and encouraged Liza to attend the introductory meeting when she arrived on the Fort Lauderdale campus from the Boca Raton campus for Upper School.
Soon, Liza found “her place” — Pine Crest’s Zimmerman Family Innovation Lab, or iLab.
“I love the iLab space, people, and opportunities,” said Liza. “The iLab fosters a kind of collaboration and teamwork that I hadn’t experienced anywhere else.”
In addition to immersing herself in the build days, Liza relishes the small moments she spent in the iLab before, during, and after school sitting around talking with friends, interacting with the iLab faculty, and studying.
“Being in a place that fosters innovative thinking empowers me,” said Liza.
A FIRSTⓇ Technology Challenge (FTC) robotics team like the Crown Joules entails “more than just building a robot,” said Liza. “The competition also focuses on aspects like community outreach, mentorship, business initiative, and respect. Any person with any skill can be an integral part of this robotics team. From designing a website to making posters, there are many avenues to explore outside of the technical roles of mechanic or coder.”
As robotics quickly became her passion, Liza was inspired to take action on an area she recognized could use attention.
“When I started spending time in the iLab, I was the only ninth grade girl present. One of my goals, before I graduated, was to foster inclusion in the iLab,” Liza states. “We have made great strides in transforming the iLab into a place where everyone, regardless of skill level and background, feels comfortable.”
In alignment with that goal, Liza mentors younger female students and has initiated the Women in STEM Panel, now an annual event in the Upper School.
“We invite select female members of the faculty to share their experiences in the workforce and as women in STEM,” said Liza. “Students are able to ask questions about being a professional in these fields. Having these thoughtful discussions allows us to get to know our teachers in a new dimension.”
In the fall, Liza will be attending Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering to study mechanical engineering.
“I am excited for the hands-on opportunities,” she said. Reflecting on her time at Pine Crest, she is grateful for her mentor Mrs. Saunders. “We both transitioned from the Boca Raton campus to the Upper School at the same time. Over the years, she has become a supportive mentor — both technically and personally. Mrs. Saunders shows me what it looks like to be a knowledgeable and empowered woman in tech, and I will take that with me into my future.”
