Science teacher Haley Lemle visited Bayer Crop Science. Courtesy | Facebook
A Waldron Area School District science teacher and Jonesville native finished a year-long STEM professional development program with a trip to Bayer Crop Science in Chesterfield, Missouri.
The program focused on introducing agriculture to the classroom. The program brought resources and STEM materials to the Waldron junior and senior highschool students.
Haley Lemle discovered her love for STEM as a student at Jonesville High School.
She said she spent time working with poultry on an area farm and is a self-proclaimed lover of poultry. She studied agriculture, food, and natural education at Michigan State University and she holds a certificate in poultry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
She was selected for the program by its sanctioning body, Nourish the Future, a national organization working to promote agriculture through STEM.
Its mission is to “help teachers inspire their students to learn science, solve problems, and see the possibilities of careers in agriculture,” according to its website. Lemle was one of only 38 educators from 20 states selected to take part in the program. The training spanned one year with monthly meetings to develop a curriculum and provide leadership assets.
The program supplied each participant with the necessary resources and equipment to share the lessons with their students. Lemle said the organizers were considerate of the educators’ backgrounds and classroom needs.
Bayer offered the participants a variety of experiences.
“This event included guided tours, pedagogical activities, and an expert panel discussion. Attendees spoke with Bayer representatives and learned more about their initiatives in education, sustainability, and innovation,” Nourish the Future said.
Lemle said she enjoyed the experience.
“Seeing the research that goes into agriculture firsthand at Bayer was an awesome experience,” Lemle said. “I will read about things or see them online, but seeing them in person, talking with the people who are boots on the ground working in that industry and working with it and so passionate about their research was really awesome to see.”
In addition to the experience at Bayer Crop Science, the educators were treated to a weekend in Texas to see their lessons in practice. Both outings provided integral learning opportunities for the educators to network and share ideas.
Lemle said she brings her agricultural background into the classroom on a regular basis.
Director of Education at Nourish the Future, Gary Abud Jr. said, “effective STEM teaching requires real-world context, which students and teachers find accessible in agriculture.”
The program is not connected to the Future Farmers of America program that operates in area schools. Lemle said many of her students carry over skills and interests from both classes.
She recently led a program with her junior high students to develop a biodiesel fuel. She described the excitement the students felt when they discovered how simple it was to convert everyday materials into fuel for agricultural equipment.
“Haley has shown time and again her passion for her Spartan students,” said Jenn Fether, student support adviser at Waldron Area School District. “She stands out for her exceptional ability to foster a supportive learning environment where every student is motivated to participate, ensuring no one is left behind. Miss. Lemle constantly seeks new ways to engage students whether it is traveling the country or taking them on amazing field trips. We are very thankful to have her in our Spartan family.”
Lemle recommends the program.
“It was powerful to see the hard work that’s going into making the world a better place,” she said.
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