The student-led Fieldston Science Bulletin bridges creative writing with scientific inquiry.
When senior Cristina E. ‘26 founded the Fieldston Science Bulletin (FSB) in 2024, she did so with the intention of launching a platform for connection and curiosity. The FSB, a quarterly print and digital publication, was born from Cristina’s realization that there was a communication gap between complex scientific work and the everyday reader.
Cristina’s passion for science traces back to her days as a student at Ethical Culture, where she remembers dissecting owl pellets, simulating oil cleanups, tracking hurricanes, and studying the ecology of the Hudson River. This burgeoning interest in discovery evolved into a fascination with astronomy — sparked during the 50th anniversary of the lunar landing in 2019 — and was solidified in her 10th Grade Science Research I course. At the same time, her love for creative writing flourished in her English courses, setting the stage for a unique intersection of storytelling and science that would eventually define the FSB.
“At the start of Science Research I, we were asked to read through several lab reports. At first, it felt like I was decoding a foreign language,” Cristina recalled. “After embracing the challenge to understand the science, I realized just how interesting and meaningful the research was. That experience made me want to translate the more complicated scientific research into stories that everyone could understand. You shouldn’t need a PhD to appreciate the science shaping our world.”
This realization led Cristina and her co-leader Meredith M. ‘26 to curate the first-ever issue of the FSB in spring of 2024. Their initial goal was to generate interest among students with engaging stories ranging from the physics of snowflakes and the science behind falling in love, to the environmental impact of climate change on springtime.
Now, nearly a year later and with a successful summer edition of the FSB under their belts, Cristina, Meredith, and their growing editorial team are brainstorming ideas for their fall issue. When someone proposed a Thanksgiving theme, plenty of ideas quickly followed for articles exploring Indigenous conservationism, whether turkey truly makes you sleepy, and how cranberries are farmed.
You shouldn’t need a PhD to appreciate the science shaping our world.”
As she looks ahead to graduation next spring, Cristina is dreaming big for the future of the Bulletin: “In three to five years, I hope that the FSB will be a thriving club at Fieldston — publishing monthly issues and utilizing new media like podcasts or short-form informational videos.”
The aim of the FSB, which is both inclusive and ambitious, perfectly reflects the interdisciplinary spirit and intellectual range at the heart of an ECFS education. By blending creative expression with scientific inquiry, Cristina demonstrates how outside-the-box thinking can lead to learning that transcends traditional academic boundaries.
