On April 26, 2025, STEM Illustrated led a workshop at The Lawrenceville School’s annual Community Day programming. In honor of this year’s theme: Traditions in Motion, the workshop titled Crafting Awareness: Forever Chemicals through Film with Bracelet Making and Nature-Based Art aimed to build on Lawrenceville’s tradition of interdisciplinary learning. 

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Historically, Lawrenceville’s “academic curriculum builds on our ability to synthesise ideas from different subject areas to arrive at new understandings or interpretations of a topic,” explained Gloria Yu, the founder of STEM Illustrated. “Facilitating science education through artistic mediums is also the mission of the STEM Illustrated club,” she continues, emphasising how combining a PFAS-related documentary with crafting activities bridged science and art, reflecting both Lawrenceville and the club’s traditions. 

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With the recent booklet focusing on PFAS, this workshop was the perfect opportunity to continue spreading awareness about these environmental contaminants with severe ecological and health impacts. As hoped for, participants were engaged and eager to learn, asking questions about PFAS manufacturing, remediation, and regulation and offering insights regarding their uses and legislation. 

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Yu considered the workshop a success, remarking how it was “great to see people from II through V form sign up.” Both Community Day and the club’s goals were fulfilled as students collaborated and connected while improving their understanding of environmental contaminants critical to the current condition of our planet. Yu was also “grateful for everyone from STEM Illustrated,” reflecting on how “it was the collective effort from the club” that made the workshop “fun and engaging.” 

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In the future, STEM Illustrated hopes to continue hosting similar community events to promote environmental awareness and activism.