STEM at Foxcroft

STEM at Foxcroft

Inspiring girls to pursue 21st-century science, math, engineering, and tech skills

Inquiry
Discovery
Mastery

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In the 21st century, the STEM subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are critical. At Foxcroft, they are also fun. You might learn physics by coding a Sphero robot to move through a maze or improve your computer skills by creating an arcade game. Put on a hard hat and see how engineers, architects, and contractors build a new dorm. Program a drone in our STEM club.

Our STEM teachers are passionate about their subjects. They bring energy and enthusiasm to your class with real-life applications, inquiry-based assignments, hands-on projects, and cool technology tools. These workshops, internships, seminars, and presentations with STEM professionals will open your mind.

In and out of the classroom at Foxcroft, science, technology, engineering and math are inspiring!

STEM is for Girls!

Research shows that attending an all-girls school affects students’ interest and success in STEM fields.* Here’s a look at graduates of independent girls’ schools as compared to girls who graduated from coed independent schools:

List of 4 items.

6x

more likely to
major in math,
science & technology
3x

more likely
to consider
engineering careers
10%

more confident
in their
computer ability
11%

more confident
in their
mathematical ability

At Foxcroft, more than 30 percent of recent graduates chose STEM fields as their majors in college.

– Betsy ’21

“I was interested in STEM before coming to Foxcroft, and my interest has only grown with all the opportunities available here.”

– Cathy McGehee, Head of School

“Our school is leading the way in STEM education for girls by encouraging our students in record numbers to participate in computer science.”

– Gabriela ’15, 2nd year Computer Science major

“At Foxcroft, I learned to speak my mind and value my own voice, giving me the strength to pursue an interest in a primarily male-dominated field.”

News

You're Invited: Renowned Oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle to Speak at Foxcroft
2/17/2023
Dr. Sylvia Earle, a legendary oceanographer and ocean advocate who holds the record for the deepest walk on the sea floor, has been named the 2023 Alison Harrison Goodyear ’29 Fellow. Dr. Earle will speak to the community about her life experiences and advocacy on Thursday, March 23, at 7pm in the Engelhard Gymnasium of the Athletic/Student Center at Foxcroft.
Read more >>
Foxcroft Earns Fourth AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award
2/3/2023
Foxcroft is one of two schools in Virginia and only 64 in the world to earn the prestigious College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Awards for achieving high female representation in both AP Computer Science A (AP CSA) and AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) courses during the 2021-22 academic year.
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Robotics Team Competes in FIRST Tech Challenge
2/3/2023
Last Sunday, the Foxcroft Robotics team traveled to Herndon High School to participate in their first event of the season. Foxcroft competes in the FIRST Tech Challenge, which provides a framework for students to develop their design, building, and coding skills. Our team met three days a week during athletic practice time, and while their coaches, Mr. Northrup and Ms. Do, were present, the students worked independently to solve the challenges presented to them by the competition.
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Foxcroft’s 12th Annual STEM Challenge Coming on February 25!
2/3/2023
Foxcroft will host up to 32 teams of girls on Saturday, February 25, as they compete in the “Be Green” STEM Challenge. Designed for middle and high school students, the competition will see girls from Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC, participate in challenges around climate change mitigation to keep the global temperature increase to a minimum using their knowledge of science, technology, engineering, and math. Enjoy the video accompanying this article for a fun explanation of the premise and challenges!
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Foxcroft's First BioBlitz — Be Well, Be Green, Belong @ Foxcroft
9/23/2022
By Elizabeth P. ’23, Leyla A. ’23, and Farah A-M. ’23

Part of the theme at Foxcroft this year is “Be Green,” and that’s exactly what happened this past Sunday afternoon. The Foxcroft community gathered at the Sally B. Courtyard to hold our first annual BioBlitz, led by student leaders from Statistics, Biology, and AP Human Geography classes. The results of the BioBlitz were remarkable. The entire school was able to come together and collect enough data to make 186 new observations and identify 102 species on campus in a single day.

Over the course of the project, which spanned 17 days, students contributed 825 observations and identified 288 species. Our 44 student leaders introduced the rest of the community to an educational and delightful way to identify organisms.
Read more >>

STEM at Foxcroft, in a glimpse

STEM at Foxcroft School
Play

Useful Links

Contact

List of 7 members.

Katie Hergenreder

STEM Department Chair, Animal Science Concentration Coordinator, Dorm Parent

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Katie Hergenreder worked as a private tutor, teaching assistant, and radiation oncology research assistant at the University of Maryland Medical Center before joining the Foxcroft faculty in 2016 to teach physics and math and run the Learning Center’s STEM Lab. She also teaches Animal Science and Equine Science as part of the Animal Science Concentration program which Katie developed and coordinates.

Katie’s STEM skills and interests include computer programming and robotics along with math and physics. She is also a Tae Kwon Do black belt and was a member of the University of Maryland's Equestrian Club, serving as the Director of Lessons. She earned her M.Ed. from Vanderbilt Peabody College in the summer of 2021.

Katie lives on campus, is a member of the Dillon Dorm team, and has a lovable yellow-lab mix dog named Khaki. She enjoys reading and riding her pony, Charlie, off campus.
Meghen Tuttle

STEM, Wellness Education Coordinator, Dorm Parent

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Meghen Tuttle came to Foxcroft from her home city of Los Angeles, CA. She received her bachelor’s degree in 2002 from the University of Southern California in classical voice with a minor in neuroscience. While continuing her professional work as a classical musician, Meghen pursued a Ph.D. in neuroscience (2014) under the direction of Drs. Antonio and Hanna Damasio. Her doctoral studies at USC's Brain and Creativity Institute focused on the broad field of music neuroscience, culminating with her dissertation, entitled “Majoring in Music: How Conservatory Training Changes the Brain.”

It was during graduate school that Meghen found her passion for teaching, through 12 semesters of teaching labs and discussion sections for USC undergraduates, many guest lectures, and work as an education consultant. Meghen firmly believes that, while primary research is vital, communicating the relevancy of that research, both in an educational setting and outside of the ivory tower of academia, is absolutely critical if one hopes to make a difference in society.

Meghen joined the Foxcroft faculty in August 2014 and teaches Biology, AP Biology, and several electives in Neuroscience. In 2016, she added Wellness Education Coordinator to her portfolio and now also teaches the Freshman Wellness class; leads specialized Wellness seminars for New Girls, sophomores, juniors, and seniors; and identifies and brings in Wellness speakers for the community, among other things. Meghen organizes the annual Wellness Weekend and is constantly planning new Wellness offerings to further the development of this vibrant program.

She lives in Stuart Dormitory, where she serves as a dorm parent, with her husband Jay Tuttle, son Jack, and dog, King Louis XIV.
Rylee Simmons

STEM, Dance Instructor, Dorm Parent

540-687-4303
Lindsay Anderson

STEM, STEM Concentration Coordinator

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Lindsay Anderson grew up in a small coastal town in Rhode Island, where she developed a passion for the ocean. After receiving a B.S. in marine science and biology at The University of Tampa, she returned to Rhode Island to continue her studies of the ocean. Here she investigated human impacts on coastal environments, receiving M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in oceanography from the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography. Following graduate school, Lindsay completed a postdoctoral fellowship at San Francisco State University and eventually became a grant-funded scientist.

Throughout her undergraduate and graduate education, post-doctoral fellowship, and science career, Lindsay spent much of her free time involved in outreach and education. Through local universities and non-profit organizations, she helped to spread the word about human impacts on coastal environments and encouraged people of all ages to build an appreciation of and a love for the ocean.

While the ocean is still Lindsay’s passion, this work helped Lindsay discover her true calling as a teacher. In 2014 Lindsay switched to teaching full-time, and prior to coming to Foxcroft, she has taught biology and physics at all girl’s Catholic schools in California and Houston.

Lindsay lives in Lodge with her husband Eric, son Everett, and dog Konza. The Anderson family loves to spend time outside and make their way to the ocean as often as possible.
Thanh Chau "Jade" Do

STEM, Dorm Parent

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Thanh Chau (Jade) Do joins the Foxcroft faculty in Fall 2021 as a Math teacher, Dorm parent in Orchard, and Robotics coach. A recent graduate of the University of Miami with degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science, Jade spent the last year at Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart, Miami, FL, teaching math and computer science, as well as co-supervising the underwater robotics club.

In her free time, Jade loves to learn about traditional culture and arts, as well as participating in community services.
James Sweeney

STEM, Dorm Parent
Thomas Sheehan

STEM

*Research cited from the International Coalition of Girls' Schools
http://girlsschools.org/research/quick-facts/

Math Science & Technology

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Engineering

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STEM

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An all-girls boarding and day school in Northern Virginia, Foxcroft prepares young women in grades 9-12 for success in college and in life. Our outstanding academic program offers challenging courses, including Advanced Placement classes and an innovative STEM program. Our premiere equestrian program is nationally recognized, and our athletic teams have won conference and state championships. Experience the best in girls' boarding schools: visit Foxcroft.

Foxcroft School, 22407 Foxhound Lane, Middleburg, VA 20117 | Phone: 540.687.5555