Innovation on Display: 2025 Indian Creek STEM Symposium Celebrates Student Curiosity
The 2025 Indian Creek School STEM Symposium was more than just a presentation of science—it was a celebration of curiosity, innovation, and the power of student-led discovery. Held on Tuesday, April 15, the event brought together Upper School students, families, and faculty to showcase groundbreaking research and immersive learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The heart of the evening was the highly anticipated presentation and defense of the senior STEM theses—a capstone event that demonstrated the depth and sophistication of four students’ multi-year scientific journeys. Seniors Tommy Burton, Jake Berry, Sophie Geismar, and Arabelle Gemmell captivated the audience with presentations that revealed not only their research findings but also their intellectual processes, challenges, and triumphs. With clarity and confidence, each senior fielded questions from peers, faculty, and families, embodying the poise of seasoned researchers.
Senior Theses Highlights:
- Jake Berry: Creating and Observing Infinity Mirrors – An exploration into light, perception, and the science of reflection.
- Tommy Burton: Developing an Autonomous UAV for Waypoint Missions – A deep dive into drone navigation and autonomous systems.
- Sophie Geismar: 3D Printing in Medicine: Bioprinting and Prosthetics – A look at how emerging technology is reshaping modern healthcare.
- Arabelle Gemmell: Arabidopsis thaliana and Epigenetics – A sophisticated study of plant genetics and the molecular mechanisms that influence them.
Earlier in the evening, underclassmen took center stage to present the foundational work behind their own STEM research projects. Ninth and tenth graders exhibited posters on early-stage explorations, while juniors shared detailed posters outlining the first phases of their multi-year investigations—projects they had already defended before faculty and peers earlier in the year.
Junior Research Projects Included:
- The CellGrid System – Nolan Ayodeji
- Designing Better Suburbs: Simulating Urban Planning's Impact on Quality of Life – Sean Manuel Cogburn
- Morphological Changes in Micrococcus luteus Under Antibiotic Stress – Owen Crum
- Rubik’s Cube Solver Using Python and 3D Modeling – Carmen Emery
- Smart Irrigation: Are the Systems Worth It? – Liam Foley
- Teddy Bears vs. Humans in Mindfulness Practices – Madison Harris
- Sustainable Alternatives to Commercial Water Filters – Sam Herman
- Preventing Baseball Throwing Arm Injuries – Lukas Hummer
- The Effects of Low Sunlight on Student Health – Maddy Hunt
- The Spread of Disease through Mosquitoes – Reagan Machemer
- Social Influence: Behavior and Status in High School Students – Isabella Pardo
- Cellular Agriculture: Do We Need Meat at the Cellular Level? – Abbie Sadowski
- Antimony Levels in Lead Shot and Their Sporting Effectiveness – Darren Seibert
- Engineering Bridges from Recycled Plastic – Lily Swope
Each project served as a testament to the creativity, dedication, and critical thinking of Indian Creek’s STEM scholars. From medical innovations to environmental engineering, the diversity of topics reflected the students' passion for solving real-world problems through research.
Congratulations to all STEM students and faculty for an outstanding year of discovery and achievement. The future of science is bright—and it’s clear that it begins right here at Indian Creek.
Click here to view a full gallery of 2025 STEM Symposium photos.
Click here to view a full gallery of 2025 STEM Symposium photos.
Indian Creek School
Indian Creek school is a co-educational, college preparatory independent school, located in Crownsville, Maryland. Students in Pre-K3 through grade 12 receive a vibrant educational experience based on excellent academics steeped in strong student-teacher connections.
