“Rivers on the Road” Admission Event Brings a Taste of Rivers' Science Curriculum to Cambridge

Director of Enrollment Management Yassine Talhaoui P’32 welcomed attendees and called on members of the Rivers community in the crowd to introduce themselves before inviting science faculty member Michael Schlenker P’26 to the podium to speak about Rivers’ science curriculum and distinctive programs. 

“I have to start with what’s at the heart of Rivers: the close relationships between students and faculty,” said Schlenker. He described how members of the professional community at Rivers spend time getting to know their students, which helps them know when their students can be pushed past their comfort zones and when they need to be supported. “That all helps us live out our educational philosophy, Excellence with Humanity. It shows up in all our disciplines, in all our classrooms, in all our professional community members,” he said.

“In addition to spending a lot of time getting to know our students and developing relationships, we’ve developed a very hands-on, interactive science curriculum,” Schlenker said. He outlined the core science curriculum: a focus on water in Grade 6, life sciences and sustainability in Grade 7, physical chemistry in Grade 8, and biology, chemistry, and physics in the Upper School. Schlenker also highlighted science opportunities at Rivers beyond the core curriculum, such as courses on robotics and engineering, computer science, and life sciences research, among others, as well as the summer science internship program.

Next, Schenkler introduced Derrick Huang ’26, who has participated in several of those science opportunities while also exploring a variety of other interests at Rivers. “I’m a varsity hockey goalie, a saxophone player in the Honors Big Band, a leader and member of a few groups on campus, and someone who spends a lot of time in the science lab and loves learning in the classroom,” Huang said. “Instead of me having to choose between those things, Rivers makes it possible to do them all at a high level while also giving me the time and capacity to form close relationships with everyone on campus.” 

Huang described how he has been able to explore his passions in the classroom and beyond. Reflecting on the two-year Life Sciences Research Program, in which seniors conduct genetic research by breeding fruit flies, Huang said, “There have been times when I’m in the lab outside of class time, literally shouting for joy, texting my lab partner and my friends who are also in the course. I’ll be crazy happy, and all this because…I found a fly in a vial.”

Huang also spoke about his experience interning at Tufts Medical Center last summer through the science internship program and shared his appreciation for Rivers’ teachers. “They make sure we’re learning the right way, and as lifelong learners themselves, they’re often learning right alongside us,” he said.

“As a senior now, I’ve realized that the most special part about Rivers isn’t any single class, team, or program—it’s the people. It’s the teachers who know you better than you think they do, the classmates who push you to be your best, and the sense that everyone around you genuinely wants to see you succeed,” Huang said. 

Afterward, attendees had time to mingle, and many took the opportunity to speak with Huang, Schenkler, members of the admission team, and other Rivers community members in attendance. Attendees were also free to explore the museum beyond the Earth & Planetary Sciences gallery. 

“Rivers on the Road events are designed to connect with families in the Greater Boston area. We are very intentional about the locations we pick, and the natural history museum at Harvard has provided us with a space that, similarly to our Rivers campus, invites, ignites, and celebrates intellectual curiosity,” said Talhaoui.  

“Our Cambridge event provided a wonderful opportunity for prospective families to connect with Rivers community members about the remarkable curricular and programmatic opportunities at Rivers,” he said. “The energy was wonderful, palpable, and inspiring. I can’t wait to learn more about our visitors’ goals and interests and to support them during their respective application journeys.”