The Creators and Innovators of the Future

On Thursday, May 1, Marlborough’s campus came alive with curiosity, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit during the annual Celebration of Innovation, a signature event hosted by the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI). The event transformed the campus into a dynamic showcase of student-led projects, ventures, and research presented by more than 200 students, all engaged in programming housed with the CEI.

After light refreshments and a welcome from Head of School Jennifer Ciccarelli and Dr. Allison Ponzio, Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation and Head of the Leonetti/O'Connell Honors Research in Science Program, guests were able to immerse themselves in a campus-wide exploration of ingenuity in action. 

“This is our biggest night of the year,” said Dr. Ponzio. “In my heart of hearts, I believe that the Celebration of Innovation is more than just an event. It is a reflection of our students' creativity, resilience, and passion.” 

The Celebration of Innovation has become a hallmark event at Marlborough, highlighting the School’s commitment to nurturing entrepreneurial mindsets and innovative problem-solving skills. Students presented projects spanning various disciplines, demonstrating how they have applied classroom concepts to real-world challenges. 

The event featured an impressive array of CEI programming, each designed to cultivate the skills that are crucial for success in today’s rapidly-evolving world—critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and resilience. Computer Science students proudly demonstrated their coding expertise through various projects, including the SPARCade where visitors could play classic arcade-style games designed and programmed by the students. The Corner Café team showcased their student-run business model, explaining their pricing strategy, inventory management, and financial sustainability. Meanwhile, the robotics pit buzzed with excitement as Marlborough’s five teams demonstrated their custom-fabricated and programmed robots. 

Family, friends, faculty, staff, and fellow students filled the exhibition spaces, engaging directly with presenters to learn about their processes, challenges, and breakthroughs. What made the evening especially compelling was the opportunity to witness the full scope of Marlborough’s CEI research curriculum—spanning from the first sparks of curiosity in Middle School to advanced, university-level work in the Upper School.

Middle School students tackled questions such as “How do different types of flour affect the taste and texture of chocolate chip cookies?” and “How does a simulated natural environment vs. a VR urban environment affect cognitive flexibility?” Their research reflected an early foundation in analytical thinking and inquiry-based learning. 

That foundation came to life across a range of Upper School programming.  Students in the Honors Research Program shared university-level research projects reflecting years of dedicated study and mentorship on topics including “Comparison between markerless and marker-based motion capture for five sports movements,” “Cerebral blood flow in adolescent football players,” and an exploration of the effects of BookTok on marketing to Gen Z readers. In Engineering and Invention for Impact, students unveiled purpose-driven innovations designed to solve real-world programs—like smart water bottles that monitor hydration to promote wellness and sustainability. Social Justice Capstone presenters shared how their volunteering and academic research addressed challenges identified in partnership with local nonprofit organizations. These are just a few highlights—altogether, 19 programs were represented, reflecting the depth and diversity of innovation taking place around campus.

“What makes the Celebration of Innovation truly special is that these aren't just school assignments. These are our students sharing things they are genuinely passionate about—projects and ventures they truly believe will make a difference in our world,” said Head of School Jennifer Ciccarelli. “As I walked around campus, I witnessed the authentic enthusiasm and deep commitment our students bring to solving real problems and pursuing their intellectual curiosities. This is Marlborough education at its finest.”

It is hard to capture in words the palpable enthusiasm present on campus during the Celebration of Innovation each year. The energy and excitement of this hallmark event underscores the power of Marlborough: we are not just teaching students to be consumers of knowledge, we are empowering them to take that knowledge and become the creators and innovators we need to shape a brighter future.