The multi-day event showcased the breadth of scientific study at Flagler while reinforcing the College’s commitment to connecting classroom learning with real-world impact. From environmental stewardship efforts to student research presentations and expert-led discussions, Science Week offered opportunities for participants to engage with science in meaningful and accessible ways.
Science Week also served as a fundraising and awareness initiative supporting Flagler’s growing Natural Science and Biology programs, which continue to see increasing student interest and demand.
Implemented in partnership with the Science Advisory Board and the Natural Sciences Department, Science Week highlighted faculty and student research while strengthening community awareness and support for the sciences at Flagler. The week featured seven events, including both ticketed and free public programs.
Presenting sponsor for Science Week 2026 was Siemens, with additional support provided by the Science Advisory Board, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park, AdventHealth, Drs. Brian and Eileen Donnelly, Dr. Michael and Mrs. Joan Soronen, Sven Jansson ’00, Carter Environmental Services, Florida Power & Light, and Florida Water Tours.
The week opened with the second annual NAS Memorial Beach Cleanup at St. Augustine Beach, where volunteers collected bags of trash while honoring the memory of Hope Garrie Moorman ’22, a Coastal Environmental Science student remembered for her passion for the environment. Organized in part by Moorman’s family, the cleanup set the tone for a week centered on conservation, service, and community engagement.
Later that day, participants took to the water for a citizen science boat field experience led by Dr. Ed McGinley alongside three students. Community guests aboard the vessel learned about ongoing research involving dolphins, mangroves, bird nesting, estuaries, plankton, and environmental disease monitoring while conducting hands-on water testing and sampling activities.
The experience took place aboard Flagler College’s new “floating classroom,” which will officially launch in Fall 2026 as a living-learning laboratory space supporting courses such as Marine Biology and Invertebrate Zoology. The initiative is part of a new partnership with Florida Water Warriors, the nonprofit arm of Florida Water Tours ecotour company.
Programming continued Monday with an Arbor Day tree planting hosted by the College’s Tree Advisory Committee. Participants planted a Japanese blueberry tree as part of Flagler’s ongoing recognition as a Tree Campus institution.
The evening featured a Science Week kickoff event showcasing Bermuda ecology documentaries created through a collaboration between Cinematic Arts and Natural Sciences students.
Led by Dr. Tracy Halcomb, Dr. Terri Seron, and Professor Barbara Blonder, the films highlighted Flagler’s long-running research partnership in Bermuda, where students participate in immersive field research involving coral reef restoration, shipwreck ecology, and marine life mapping. The public screening and reception welcomed attendees from both the campus and local community.
On Tuesday, students in Dr. Doiron’s science communication course presented semester-long projects during a public showcase in the Ponce de Leon Hall Rotunda. Through posters and presentations aimed at both students and non-scientists, the course emphasized the importance of communicating scientific concepts to a wide variety of audiences.
The evening featured keynote speaker Gen Anderson, general curator at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park. In her presentation, “More Than an Animal Display: The Serious Science of Modern Zoos,” Anderson discussed the importance of conservation-focused zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, as well as the evolving role of modern zoological institutions in endangered species protection and environmental stewardship. The event welcomed students, faculty, staff, and members of the public. A reception following the keynote gave attendees the opportunity to engage further with Anderson and learn more about her work.
Science Week concluded Wednesday with its marquee event, the Natural Sciences Research Capstone Symposium. Graduating seniors and select juniors presented original semester-long research projects through public-facing presentations and videos that reflected the culmination of their academic and research experiences at Flagler.
The winning capstone presentation was awarded to the team of Christina Mark, Meghan DeRice, Julia Manning, and Cypress Chambless for their project examining the presence of potentially harmful bacteria in local fish species. Their presentation, titled “Catch This Sick Flow: The Difference Between Aeromonas hydrophila Presence in Flow-Restricted and Flow-Unrestricted Bodies of Water in St. Augustine,” earned top honors during the symposium.
The People’s Choice Poster Award went to the team of Cade Balogh, Emma Carter, Isabelle Wassell, and Patrick Pamukcoglu for their project examining crab populations on harvested and protected oyster reefs.
Faculty-selected MVP honors were awarded to Rachel VanEepoel, Kate Schuch, and Sam Cohen.
Student award winners received monetary awards through the Science Advisory Board and the Science Fund for Excellence, recognizing outstanding achievement in undergraduate research and presentation.
In addition to academic programming, Science Week featured a silent auction and community-supported fundraising efforts that raised approximately $20,000 through sponsorships, ticket sales, donations, and gifts.
Silent auction offerings included experiences such as a Savor South Africa Signature Safari Trip, a SkyScape Grand Canyon excursion, an airplane tour of St. Augustine, a sausage-making master class experience, and tickets to the Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens.
Funds raised will help support the continued growth of Flagler’s Natural Sciences program, including expanded facilities such as the College’s Science Modular Lab, which was developed through previous fundraising initiatives to meet increasing demand for specialized chemistry and physics instruction and undergraduate research opportunities.
“Overall, this week saw about 225 people at the various events and was considered a great success,” said Natural Sciences Professor and Department Chair Dr. Ed McGinley. “This work was only possible with the heavy lifting of multiple offices around campus.”
By blending research, community engagement, and experiential learning, Science Week reflected Flagler College’s mission of fostering transformative education while encouraging students to explore solutions to real-world challenges, from St. Augustine to the global stage.
