Buckingham Friends School (BFS) will host a special presentation: Engineering & the Human Experience: Global Collaboration, AI, and Design, led by Upper and Middle School Science & Sustainability Teacher Stephanie Thilveris, whose selection by the MIT Club of Princeton followed her participation in a competitive summer seminar focused on engineering, artificial intelligence, and global education. The free event, open to the public, will be held on February 19, 2026, at 6:30 PM, at the School’s new Auditorium on campus, located at 5684 York Road, Lahaska.
Drawing on her summer experience collaborating with educators worldwide and engaging with MIT research staff, Thilveris will share key insights from her work and that of leading voices in science and engineering, including Alan Lightman, MIT professor and author of Quest for Meaning in the Sciences, and Nergis Mavalvala, MIT physicist and leader in the groundbreaking LIGO project.
Thilveris’s presentation will center on three powerful takeaways:
Engineering and the Human Experience – Framing engineering as a tool for advancing human rights, improving quality of life, and addressing global inequalities. This perspective directly supports BFS’s science and human rights program and incorporates new curriculum inspired by MIT programming and Lightman’s work, encouraging students to ask a fundamental question: Why do we build?
Artificial Intelligence in Education – Sharing firsthand experiences from MIT research sessions on AI agents and robotics, including real-world applications such as autonomous problem-solving (“making tea in any kitchen”), and exploring how AI is reshaping global education.
Engineering Design for Global Impact – Highlighting the integration of engineering design projects across the BFS curriculum, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and designed to strengthen technical learning while fostering purpose-driven innovation.
“This experience has been profound, resonating through new professional partnerships and weaving an imprint of knowledge and purpose for our students,” said Thilveris.
As an Upper and Middle School science teacher at Buckingham Friends School, Thilveris continues to expand opportunities for students to engage with real-world challenges through collaborative, inquiry-based learning that blends science, ethics, and global responsibility.
The February 19 event reflects BFS’s commitment to nurturing curious, compassionate learners who are prepared to think critically, design creatively, and contribute meaningfully to their communities and beyond.