For 25 years, the Pine Crest Science Research Program has empowered students to think boldly, ask meaningful questions and contribute new knowledge to the world. What began in 2000 as an innovative idea in the Science and Technology Building has become one of Pine Crest’s most influential and future-shaping academic experiences, guiding hundreds of students to pursue research with passion, rigor and purpose.
Led today by Head of Science Research Ms. Jennifer Gordinier and Assistant Head Dr. Kate Ganden, the program is a hallmark of the Upper School where curiosity is nurtured, resilience is built and students think as scientists.
Since the program's inception, it has evolved into a continuum of opportunity beginning in Middle School and extending through a signature three-year Upper School program. Students develop foundational skills, reading and analyzing scientific literature, mastering laboratory methods, documenting their work and communicating their findings in written, oral and visual formats.
Middle School Science Research classroom on the Boca Raton campus
By Upper School, students design and conduct independent research on campus, supported by mentorship, collaboration and a structure that encourages both creativity and scientific rigor.
Alongside the core curriculum, the program has expanded through summer intensives, student-run publications, STEM-focused clubs and community-building initiatives such as Lower School Science Day. Each component strengthens the pipeline of young scientists who learn to explore, question, iterate and innovate.
Over the course of 25 years, Pine Crest students have explored topics as varied as environmental science, biomedical engineering, artificial intelligence, behavioral neuroscience and computational biology. Alumni frequently point to Science Research as the spark that set them on a path toward scientific discovery.
Some examples include:
- Zachary Harpaz ’24, whose high school research using machine learning to design novel CAR-T therapies informed his current studies in Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science at the University of Pennsylvania.
- Sophia Lehrman ’21, now a Postbaccalaureate Researcher at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging after completing neuroscience research at Duke.
- Caroline Adkins ’18, who began exploring environmental engineering at Pine Crest and is now a Ph.D. candidate at Stanford developing new methods for water sustainability.
- Preksha Bhagchandani ’14, whose early gene expression research at Pine Crest led her to earn a degree from MIT and pursue an MD/PhD at Stanford, studying immunology and Type 1 diabetes.
These alumni, and many more, represent the enduring legacy of a program that encourages students not just to study science, but to make meaningful contributions to it.
Achievements That Reflect a Culture of Excellence
While the true impact of the program is measured by student growth, reflection and perseverance, the last five years alone speak to an extraordinary level of accomplishment:
- 26 Florida State Science & Engineering Fair Finalists
- 12 International Science and Engineering Fair Finalists
- 7 Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholars
- 4 Thermo Fisher Junior Innovators Challenge Finalists
From the Classes of 2020–2025, 83% of Science Research alumni are pursuing STEM majors, and 66% are conducting research at the undergraduate or graduate level—a testament to the depth of preparation and confidence they gained at Pine Crest.
This anniversary year also marks a new chapter for the program with the opening of the redesigned Science Research Lab, replacing the original home that served students from 2000–2024. Thoughtfully built to foster collaboration, experimentation and innovation, the space ensures that future researchers will continue to thrive.
As we celebrate this milestone, we recognize the faculty, students, alumni and families who have shaped the Science Research Program into what it is today: a place where big ideas are actively investigated, communication skills deepen and young scientists grow into confident leaders in their fields.
Here’s to the next 25 years of curiosity, innovation, and transformative research at Pine Crest!
If you were a student in the Science Research Program, we want to hear from you! Please email alumni@pinecrest.edu and share what you are doing today.