At Friends’ Central School in Wynnewood, PA, learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Students are encouraged to take ownership of their education by pursuing independent projects that reflect their passions – whether in science, the arts, or the humanities. These projects give students the freedom to ask their own questions, design their own pathways, and share their discoveries with the School community and beyond.

Independent Scientific Research at the Natural History Conference

Some students dive deep into scientific research. In its third year, Friends’ Central Upper School’s Natural History Conference showcases independent, ecology-centered projects, where students become practicing scientists. Armed with microscopes and DNA barcoding technology and guided by Upper School science teacher John Gruber and laboratory assistant Claire Roberts, students devise their own projects, collect samples, identify species, and, working in small groups, embark on their independent research. Recent projects included analyzing the biodiversity of ants on the School’s campus, using PCR techniques to determine the species of six curculio weevil larvae, and barcoding local pollinators such as Osmia bees and green sweat bees from the Augochlorini tribe. At the culminating Natural History Conference in the spring, a visiting professional scientist provides the keynote address, and the students then share their work with the community, either in a scientific poster or by giving a short presentation. These aren’t classroom exercises – they are authentic, college-level investigations with students making real discoveries about the natural world.

FCS Robotics Team Goes Further

Other opportunities for FCS students to channel their independence include engineering and design. Friends’ Central’s Earthquakers Robotics Team, guided by teacher Matt Schoiffet, designs and machines most of their own parts, refining their designs and fabricating as they go. At the Mid-Atlantic District Championship at Lehigh University, the team finished 30th out of 140 robots and earned the Rising All-Star Award. Beyond rankings, the experience challenged students to collaborate under pressure, and solve problems creatively—skills that extend far beyond robotics.

Competing at the National and International Level

Students also make their mark on national and international stages. Over the past two years, multiple students from the School’s IYPT Club have been selected for Team USA at the International Young Physicists’ Tournament, an elite global competition for high school physicists. Last year, Poyraz Ozer ’25 represented the U.S. team in Budapest, Hungary, investigating open-ended physics problems. This summer, Upper School student Peter Hu ’27 joined Team USA in Sweden, competing alongside peers from 40 countries in research, presentations, and scientific debate. Both students worked closely with FCS faculty coaches and other FCS students throughout the year before the competition, showing that curiosity, perseverance, and collaboration are nurtured over time.

Playwriting Awards

Independent projects at FCS aren’t confined to science and engineering. Students explore filmmaking, original music composition, playwriting, and more, often sharing their work with peers at exhibitions and performances. One student, Cai Dunne, wrote a full-length play, I Believe You, which was recently selected as one of five winners in the Philadelphia Young Playwrights Festival. With guidance from a professional director and actors from Temple’s acting program, the play will be performed in late October and early November. This follows in the footsteps of last year’s winner, Jasper McIlvain, highlighting the school’s consistent support for students in turning original creative ideas into professional-level, public projects.

Students also benefit from school-supported exploration, including FCS’s 10-day May Term courses, which range from astronomy and instrument building to architectural design and creative writing. These short, immersive experiences allow students to collaborate across disciplines while building skills that complement their independent projects.

At Friends’ Central, the message is clear: students aren’t just preparing for the future – they are already doing the kind of deep, creative, and independent work that shapes it. It’s an education that goes further, giving young people the skills, confidence, and vision to thrive in college and beyond.

We go further. Visit Friends’ Central School this fall at an Admissions event:

• Tuesday, September 16 • 9:00 am – Middle & Upper School Open House (Grades 6-12)
• Tuesday, September 30 • 9:30 am – Lower School Open House (Kindergarten-Grade 1)
• Saturday, October 4 • 9:00 am – Lower School Experiential Open House (Nursery, Pre-K, Kindergarten)
• Tuesday, October 7 • 9:30 am – Lower School Open House (Grades 2-5)
• Wednesday, October 15 • 4:00 pm – Middle & Upper School Open House (Grades 6-12)
• Thursday, October 23 • 4:00 pm – Lower School Open House (Nursery-Grade 5)
• Tuesday, October 28 • 6:30 pm – Middle School Evening Tours (Grades 6-8)
• Tuesday, November 11 • 9:30 am – Lower School Open House (Nursery-Grade 1)
• Wednesday, November 12 • 9:30 am – Lower School Open House (Grades 2-5)

Friends’ Central Lower School: 228 Old Gulph Road, Wynnewood, PA 19096

Friends’ Central Middle & Upper School: 1101 City Avenue, Wynnewood, PA 19096