STEAM at FPD
Igniting Curiosity, Creativity, and Innovation
At our school, STEAM is more than a program. It is a journey of creativity, curiosity, and innovation that spans across all grades. By uniting Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics through project-based learning, we challenge students to think critically, solve real-world problems, and turn bold ideas into reality. Through hands-on experiments and imaginative design challenges, our STEAM program empowers every learner to explore, create, and lead in a rapidly changing world.
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Middle SchoolStudents roll up their sleeves in the Innovation Lab, exploring exciting courses such as Entrepreneurship, Design and Modeling, Medical Detectives, Green Architecture, and Flight and Space—transforming curiosity into creativity and ideas into action.
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STEAM Faculty
Jessica Hinson: Lower School Science Lab
Audra Hubbard: Upper School STEAM
Anna Leigh Hutchison: Lower School STEAM
Anna Gail Justice: Lower School Science Lab
Mindy Krejic: Lower School Tab Lab
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Ronald Dong, '26 
Alumni Spotlight
From FPD Robotics to Rotorcraft Research: Gray Simmons is Flying High
FPD Class of 2019 graduate Gray Simmons has carried his love for innovation and problem-solving from the classrooms and robotics labs of FPD all the way to Georgia Tech, where he is now pursuing a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering.
As a Graduate Research Assistant in the Structural Dynamics and Aeroelasticity Laboratory, he studies vertical lift aircraft, focusing on predicting whirl flutter—a phenomenon critical to rotorcraft safety. His work has included collaborations with NASA and internships with the Army at Langley Air Force Base, and he continues to compete in award-winning rotorcraft design competitions.
Gray’s journey began at FPD, where he immersed himself in both robotics and music.
“I started with the First Lego League (FLL) in fifth grade and stayed involved through middle school,” Gray recalls. “In high school, I joined the First Tech Challenge (FTC) robotics team and even began mentoring an FLL team at Campus Clubs, an after-school outreach program.”
His passion for music ran alongside his robotics pursuits. Beginning in fifth-grade band class, he took up the trumpet and continued through concert, marching, and jazz bands throughout middle and high school.
Reflecting on his time at FPD, Gray credits several teachers for their mentorship. “The time I spent in extracurriculars was some of the most memorable experiences growing up,” he says. “Mrs. Myers for middle school robotics, Mr. Baker for all band activities, and Mrs. Jerles and Mr. Carpenter for high school robotics were incredible mentors.”
Are you ready to start your journey?
FPD exists to educate and equip students to change the world for God's glory. FPD provides a relationship-focused, academically-strong, Christ-centered experience for grades 3K - 12th. The strength of our school stems from the relationships between students and the Christ-centered faculty and staff who mentor them daily.
