Mike Smith

Award-winning Science Teacher Chooses to Spend His Summers in a National Lab

Mike Smith earns every paycheck. As the only science teacher at Coalfield High School in Coalfield, Tennessee, Smith teaches two levels of biology, as well as ecology, physical science, chemistry, human anatomy, and physiology.  

But Smith’s school day does not end when classes end. In addition to being a Coalfield school bus driver, Smith also uses his planning period and stays after school to teach scientific research to a group of his students.

Smith’s students entered several research works into the Southern Appalachian Science and Engineering Fair, placing in six of the 11 award categories.  

Smith and three other high school teachers were recognized in September for being the first to complete ACTS three-year summer program. All four spent three summers at ORNL as part of ongoing research teams.

“I think in order for America to charge ahead in science, we have to change the way we teach science,” he said. “This program has taught me the tools to teach science in an inquiry style, which is thinking scientifically rather than just regurgitation of terms or following a ‘cook book’ style lab.”

Teachers participating at ORNL must complete a series of requirements in addition to their hands-on research—including seminars, workshops, developmental plans—usually taking more than the 40 hours per week they spend in the laboratory.

Although this summer ended the teachers’ participation, through their newly established networks, they will continue to use resources at ORNL to help in the classroom. 

Smith’s willingness to go above and beyond did not go unnoticed. In 2005, he was awarded a Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award and $25,000 in cash—an annual award that honors just 100 outstanding K-12 educators from across the country.