Hemlock Public School District - Innovate, Collaborate, Educate

At Hemlock Public Schools, science isn’t just something students learn in textbooks—it’s something they experience firsthand. Thanks to the Chief Science Officer (CSO) program, students are stepping into leadership roles that make science come alive for younger learners.

Supervised by Mrs. Strachota and Mrs. Newvine, the CSO program empowers students to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education within the community. This year, Hemlock High School students Kassie Hensler and Isabelle Hutfilz, along with middle school students Emelia Yuvan and Lauren Launstein, took on the challenge of engaging younger students in hands-on scientific discovery.

One of their biggest initiatives was hosting Hemlock Elementary School students at the Lockwood STEM Center for a special Science Day. The event provided an interactive learning environment where young minds explored engineering principles, buoyancy, robotics, and even DNA construction. Through fun, hands-on activities, students not only learned key scientific concepts but also developed problem-solving skills and creativity—both essential for future success.

Creativity in science is often overlooked, yet it is the driving force behind innovation. Encouraging students to think outside the box from an early age helps them become better problem-solvers and critical thinkers. By engaging elementary students in exciting STEM activities, the CSO program fosters curiosity and a passion for learning that will carry them into the future.

Through their leadership, the CSO students are proving that science is more than just equations and experiments—it’s an exciting, ever-evolving field that shapes the world around us. Their efforts inspire younger students to embrace learning and discover the endless possibilities within STEM.