The school’s new interactive Lantern Series puts parents in a hands-on lab environment — enabling them to connect more deeply with the school’s mission and pedagogy. 

It turns out Spartans parents are excited about going back to school — at least when it involves learning from passionate St. Stephen’s science and technology instructors.

The immersive evening on The Hill took place in Hines Hall and in the Project Idea and Realization Lab (PIRL). Parents selected two 30-minute classes taught by Upper School instructors Melissa Livsey, Troy Lanier, Dean Mohlman and Danielle Horton.

Dr. Koushik Shaw P ’31 and his wife, Brandi, attended to get a glimpse of what lies ahead for their daughter, a current 7th grader. It was their first time in Hines Hall, home to all Upper School science courses and labs.

“I enjoyed getting to know the teachers and seeing their thrill for teaching their subjects,” said Brandi. “They’re passionate about what they do and make it interesting for the kids.”

The Shaws sat in the PIRL makerspace with other parents as an energized Mr. Lanier demonstrated how to operate a range of Spartan inventions created in his courses.

Chemistry was brewing in Ms. Livsey’s classroom where Amanda Cowan P ’32 wore safety goggles and a big smile as smoke rose from a beaker in front of her. In the experiment, designed to teach Chemistry I students the signs of a chemical reaction, Ms. Livsey waited until the end to reveal that the blue powder they mixed with aluminum foil was copper(II) chloride.

“I taught the parents just like I teach the kids,” said Ms. Livsey.

Valerie Sant P ’29 attended Ms. Horton’s physics and engineering classroom, where she was able to try her hand at building a model car out of cardboard, straw, kabob skewers, a rubber band and paper clips.

“What looks like it may be possible on paper doesn’t always translate to real life — sometimes you have to problem solve and think outside of the box,” said Sant, as she was putting the finishing touches on the car chassis. “That’s what I love about this.”

Sant said she was inspired by the hands-on, inquiry-driven approach to science instruction.

“In life, our students can take that and grow through their academic journey,” said Sant.

Parents in Mr. Mohlman’s biology class gained a deeper understanding of the polar molecule properties of water through a series of visual demonstrations. In one experiment, he blew up a balloon, rubbed it on his clothing to generate static electricity and then held it one centimeter from a stream of water. The audience watched the stream bend toward the balloon as the negatively charged balloon attracted the positive ends of water molecules. 

In another demonstration, parents filled a plastic cup with water and were challenged to make a paper clip float. They succeeded thanks to surface tension — the attraction of water molecules to one another. Mohlman noted that he guided parents through the lesson exactly as he does with his students.

"The Lantern Series beautifully showcased the passion and creativity of our science and technology faculty,” said Parents’ Association President Elise Jones P ’27, ’24. “It was inspiring to watch parents experience the same excitement for learning that our students feel every day."

Jones, who created the new program for parents, said she also loved seeing Middle and Upper School parents meet one another — and Middle School parents meet Upper School faculty — for the first time.

"What made the evening truly special was the sense of connection,” she said. “Parents, teachers and our broader community came together to celebrate curiosity, innovation, and the extraordinary work happening at St. Stephen’s."

St. Stephen’s will host two more Lantern Series sessions this academic year. The full list of 2025-26 sessions includes:

• Sept. 30: The History and Legacy of Our Campus
• Nov. 13: Innovation and Inquiry in Science Education
• Feb. 23: Chapel Life and the Role of Theology
• April 22: Student Wellness

More information and RSVP forms are included in the weekly News & Notes e-newsletters.

The Future of Science and Technology at St. Stephen’s

 A new Science and Technology Center is the cornerstone project of Lasting Impact: The Campaign for St. Stephen’s. Donors have contributed nearly $15 million toward the $23 million goal. Continued donor and community support will determine when the school will break ground. Click here to learn more and see renderings.

The community will also have an opportunity to learn about the bright future of science and technology at St. Stephen’s during a Science and Technology Spotlight on Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 4 to 5:15 p.m. in the Hines Hall lobby and PIRL. Guests can visit with Head of School Chris Gunnin, Director of Advancement April Speck-Ewer, Science Department Chair Danielle Horton and PIRL Director and Electronics and Robotics Instructor Troy Lanier to experience classes in the current spaces and learn what a new center will make possible. Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP here.