Thayer’s Scholars-in-Residence program brings thought leaders, practitioners, and artists from academia and a range of professional disciplines to campus to enrich student learning experiences in sustained and meaningful ways. Resident scholars teach classes/seminars, participate in project or research work with students, lead discussion groups, hold office hours, design events that enrich the entire Thayer community, and serve as a resource to students and teachers. This program elevates the intellectual discourse and course of study at Thayer and supports the teaching of key leadership skills, namely: effective communication, collaborative problem-solving, ethical decision-making, and relationship-building across lines of difference.

Scholars for the 2023-24 school year include:

• Timothy Patrick McCarthy, PhD, a Harvard University professor and an award-winning historian, educator, and social activist whose focus is public leadership and human rights
• Atlantic Symphony Orchestra Music Director Jin Kim, who is developing the Charles Castleman ‘57 Orchestral Program and the Thayer Academy Choral Ensemble
• Kimberly Boucher, from the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship, and Dipul Patel, a lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management, both of whom will support Thayer's Entrepreneurship Program
• A team of researchers from Beneath The Waves (a nonprofit dedicated to marine science and conservation) led by founder and CEO Dr. Austin Gallagher '04

The Global Scholars Capstone Program offers students greater awareness of and greater engagement in global public policy issues. Combining interdisciplinary classroom learning with real-world problem-solving and experiences, the program provides scholarly context for active global citizenship, including participation in a variety of curricular and co-curricular activities that promote student initiative, civic responsibility, and meaningful collaboration. Global Scholars themselves bring a spirit of inquiry, deliver on the Academy’s promise to “contribute to the common good,” and serve as drivers for global citizenship efforts on Thayer’s campus and beyond. Travel opportunities complement the program as does a monthly lecture series on global public policy matters which brings experts, thought leaders, and action leaders to the Thayer community and co-curricular seminars (such as on the topic of human rights) led by Thayer faculty and resident scholars. Students who successfully complete the program requirements are recognized as Thayer Academy Global Scholars at graduation.

Seniors complete their Thayer careers by devising and then executing a learning project that examines questions or problems while promoting student voice and choice, sustained inquiry, critique and revision, reflection, and public presentation. Seniors work with faculty supervisors and off-site mentors in projects as diverse as music composition for area conservatories; astrophotography taken on campus and in the field; internships with Boston-area legislators; and service and cultural immersion trips across the world (including to France, Peru, Greece, Italy, and the Galapagos Islands). Students complete their senior projects with a culminating public presentation and/or artifact to demonstrate meeting their learning objectives.

An expanding array of technology and computer science courses are offered at these Upper School academic centers. A four-year sequence of computer science courses, including AP Computer Science and Data Structures, complement Robotics and other offerings in the recently renovated and reimagined Computer Science and Robotics Center. Robust student teams bring their passion for the subject to national American Computer Science League (ACSL) competitions, and advanced students further serve as teaching assistants in computer science classes. This work is amplified through the digital technology tools and offerings of the Hanflig Technology Center (HTC). Collaborative design classes offer students the opportunity to develop problem-solving and design thinking skills as well as a deeper understanding of engineering and other STEAM concepts.