Inspiring Students with Drone Technology and More: High School Science with Kyle Sprague

In the latest episode of  The Hornets Hive podcast, we speak with Kyle Sprague, a science teacher at Williamston High School. Kyle brings a unique and innovative approach to teaching science, from incorporating drone technology to fostering hands-on learning experiences. This podcast episode provides valuable insights into his teaching journey, methodologies, and the potential future of science education within the Williamston district.

Choosing Williamston: A Family Decision

Kyle Sprague and his family have deep roots in the Lansing area, having lived there since their days at Michigan State University. As his oldest daughter approached school age, Kyle and his wife sought out districts that matched their educational values. The decision to move to Williamston was both a personal and professional choice, coinciding with a job opening that Kyle was uniquely suited for. With a background in innovative science teaching, Kyle was a perfect fit for Williamston's forward-thinking educational vision.

Innovative Courses and Drone Technology

Kyle's passion for integrating technology into education is evident in his efforts to introduce a unique drone course, a brainchild from his previous teaching experience in Shiawassee County. Though the course is still in the proposal stages at Williamston, Kyle has already set the groundwork through a drone club. The club provides students with hands-on experience, teaching them flight skills while incorporating essential lessons on FAA regulations and photography.

This approach not only sparks interest in students who are tech enthusiasts but also attracts those interested in photography, creating a well-rounded educational experience. Kyle’s efforts demonstrate how innovative courses can inspire students and prepare them for future careers in emerging fields.

Fostering a Hands-On Learning Environment

Kyle emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning, acknowledging that many students thrive when they can directly interact with the subject matter. His philosophy centers around providing students with lab experiences and practical applications of theoretical knowledge. This method is particularly significant in teaching science, where understanding complex concepts often requires direct observation and experimentation.

The planned drone course is a prime example of this philosophy in action. Students learn the basics of photography, understanding the technical nuances of drones, and applying their knowledge in real-world scenarios. This comprehensive approach ensures that students are not just passive learners but active participants in their education.

Community and Collaboration: A Welcoming Environment

One of the standout aspects of Kyle's experience at Williamston is the welcoming community. From staff members to community interactions at events like football games, Kyle has felt a strong sense of belonging. This supportive environment extends beyond social interactions, fostering collaboration among teachers and encouraging innovative teaching methods.

Kyle’s positive experiences highlight the importance of a cooperative educational community, where teachers support one another, share ideas, and collectively work towards enhancing student learning. Such a community is essential for nurturing creativity and innovation in teaching.

The Ever-Evolving Field of Science

Kyle’s passion for science is rooted in its dynamic nature. Science is not about rote memorization of facts but about understanding processes, gathering evidence, and building logical arguments. This evolving nature of science keeps the subject exciting and relevant, providing endless opportunities for teaching and learning.

By focusing on the process of scientific inquiry, Kyle helps students develop critical thinking skills that transcend the classroom. These skills are invaluable, preparing students to navigate and succeed in various fields beyond science.

Kyle Sprague's innovative approach to science education, his commitment to hands-on learning, and his dedication to creating a collaborative community highlight the evolving landscape of teaching. His work at Williamston High School serves as an exemplary model of how integrating technology and fostering an inclusive environment can enhance educational experiences. As we look to the future, educators like Kyle will undoubtedly continue to inspire and shape the next generation of learners.

By bringing these innovative ideas and methodologies into the classroom, Kyle is not only teaching science but also inspiring curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning in his students. His story is a testament to how passionate and dedicated teachers can make a significant impact on their student's lives and the educational community as a whole.

TRANSCRIPT

Christopher Lewis [00:00:19]:
Welcome back to the Hornet Hive. I'm your host, doctor Christopher Lewis, one of the members of the Williamston Community Schools Board of Education. Really excited to have you back again this week. You know, every week, I love having you here to be able to talk about the good news of the things that are happening within our district, the people, and the activities, the opportunities that exist, and everything else in between. That's why this podcast exists. So it's here to keep you in the know and allow for you to be able to look underneath and be able to better understand what's happening within our schools, but also know who is in our schools and know more about who's working with our kids because that's important. It's important for everyone in our community to be able to know that. This week, we got another great guest with us today.

Christopher Lewis [00:01:04]:
Kyle Sprague is with us today. And Kyle is a high school science teacher. He's teaching a number of different classes up at Williamston High School, helping our kids to be able to maneuver through science in their high school career. And I'm really excited to allow for you to get to know him better and to have some time with him today. Kyle, thanks so much for being here.

Kyle Sprague [00:01:26]:
Oh, thanks for having me, Chris.

Christopher Lewis [00:01:27]:
It is my pleasure. Now I always love being able to start off by turning the clock back in time just a little bit. And you've been in the district now for a little bit of time. So let's go back to the beginning of your time here in Williamston. What originally brought you to Williamston?

Kyle Sprague [00:01:43]:
Well, I started here spring of last year. Yeah. So last fall, my wife and I were contemplating districts that we'd like to see our daughters in because they're starting to near that age. My oldest is year or 2 out from starting kindergarten. I'm looking around the Lansing area because my wife and I have lived in Lansing since we went to Michigan State, and we just never left. We chose Williamston as our district of choice. And a couple of days later, I saw a science position posted for Williamston. And then a friend of mine forwarded it to me because he had just switched from teaching at Kona High School over to Williamston earlier that fall.

Kyle Sprague [00:02:17]:
I mean, that kinda led me in this direction.

Christopher Lewis [00:02:19]:
You know, one of the things that I remember about your interview was one of the innovative classes that you taught when you were up in Shiawassee County and the specifically, the course that you did on drones. And I know that we tried to get that up and going for this fall, but it did not happen for this year. But why don't we let everybody know? Because I know you put in that proposal for a new class, and maybe that will come up again. But what made you decide that you wanted to teach kids about drones?

Kyle Sprague [00:02:47]:
Yeah. So we'd have to spin back the clock a couple more years. So while I was teaching in the Shiawassee County, I had the opportunity to co teach some math classes that were integrated with some career technical education courses. So CTE, specifically, all about mechatronics. So we were doing, like, laser engraving and things that had CNC control. And that mechatronics teacher left the district for a different position, and we had an opening. And on his way out, he nudged me a bit and was like, hey. You're doing all these cool things with drones for years and you've been taking pictures and running a photography business with your wife.

Kyle Sprague [00:03:22]:
You you really should expand and provide these opportunities to students. So we kinda took a leap in that direction, and we started an aerospace program there at Corona. Got our CTA accreditation, and it was a great opportunity for students to experience while they're hands on learning in the school, what they could use in their potential careers moving forward. So looking forward to starting an aerospace program here at Williamston. Right now we've got a drone club that's running. So students are starting to experience some of the flight time, getting those hands on skills with the drones. And then as we switch over into more of the winter weather, we'll dig in more to, like, the book work, whether it's the FAA rules and regulations and working on stuff that.

Christopher Lewis [00:03:58]:
Love the concept and love the opportunity for students that really learn best by that those hands on experiences. And that definitely is something that for some of our students will be a great fit for them. So I'm really excited for the innovation and being able to bring that into the district, and hopefully, we have the interest from our students to be able to bring that forward for our next academic year.

Kyle Sprague [00:04:23]:
One of the things that I was kind of interested in seeing when I had students in Shiawassee County was get the students that were interested in flying the drones and the techie stuff. So one of the aspects of the course is learning, basics of photography and applications of that. So I was surprised to see how many students dug into the course, started off they really wanted to learn about the photography and along the way they picked up the school steels with the drones and they found that as an avenue to expand on their art.

Christopher Lewis [00:04:47]:
Well, it's a great opportunity with the photography class that we have with missus Kubu and other opportunities through the art program to be able to bring together that true steam integration that we have been incorporating within our district for many years, and allowing for students to be able to pull together the opportunity to be able to bring science, math, technology, arts all together in one fell swoop. So I commend you on that, and and hopefully, we'll be seeing that in the near future. Now every teacher has things that have kept them and being a teacher. And there are definite reasons that people go into the field, but there's reasons that people stay in the field as well. And I know you've only been in our district for a short period of time, but talk to me about your experience thus far within the schools. What sustains you in the work that you do here in Williamston, and what makes Williamston a great place to work? I think the

Kyle Sprague [00:05:42]:
thing that sustains me the most is having those interactions with students. So earlier where I decided to go into high I was kinda going down the avenue of looking at doing more with research. It was the limited interaction between professors and their grad students or undergrads. So it's one of the thing that pushed me into high school education, getting those one on one interactions and helping students learn. So my 1st year teaching, I started off actually at West Michigan Aviation Academy. So high school teaching but with an aviation track. So a lot of my science students were interested in flying. When that kind of progressed to when I moved to Shiawassee County focusing mostly on chemistry and physics and then getting into the CT world with drones.

Kyle Sprague [00:06:18]:
And now we're a little all over the place here in Williamston. So I've had the opportunity to teach the life on earth course and the freshman physics course as well as starting to take over the capstone research course for our MSA program. So I think interacting with students and providing them lab experiences, different avenues keeps everything exciting and new and it helps me stay in the field that I'm in.

Christopher Lewis [00:06:40]:
Now I also know that there are stories. And every teacher that I know is a storyteller. They have stories that sustain them and the things that you were just talking about. But also, they have stories that are challenging at times as well, but also stories that really epitomize the experience that they had as a teacher. So can you share a story with me that for you really epitomizes the experiences that you've had thus far as a Williamston staff member?

Kyle Sprague [00:07:07]:
Sure. I mean, I don't have a lot of experience to draw from. This is only the start of the 2nd semester here. But so far, I've really enjoyed how welcoming the community has been, whether we're looking at other staff members or community members. This fall, I've had the chance to take my daughters to some football games, and I've been really impressed with all of the community interactions that I've seen at our extracurricular activities. So I think it's nice to see just how well everyone seems to work together and help out. Right? Everyone's happy to be here interacting with the students and always willing to try to provide that extra opportunity for students to learn.

Christopher Lewis [00:07:39]:
Now one of the things that I should have asked earlier when you were talking about the fact that you are a science teacher, you chose to be a science teacher. What is it about science that you love the most? And what what makes you excited about going into the classroom every day to work with the students? 

Kyle Sprague [00:07:55]:
I think one of the things that excites me the most to work with science is we're dealing with something that's ever evolving. We've got evidence that we can touch back on and the whole process of learning that isn't necessarily memorizing a rote set of facts, but learning how to go through, collect some evidence, and then deal with it in a logical manner to provide some type of supporting argumentation for what we're trying to figure out. It's one of the unique fields that we have where students can build their knowledge through interacting and gathering the evidence. And while we have specific things that we want our students to get out of the course, our goals are always a little bit more far reaching than that. Like, how are these skill sets going to be applicable regardless of where you end up in life? You're probably not going to need to know exactly what energy level particular electrons are, but the process of looking at information, processing that, and having the ability to, like, pull out meaning from that is going to be applicable regardless of what we go into.

Christopher Lewis [00:08:51]:
Well, Kyle, I just wanna say thank you. Thank you for making science fun and for engaging the students in so many new ways and looking for ways to be able to creative in the things that you're doing with our students. It's so important to be able to not only engage those that are passionate about science, but those that are not passionate about science. And keeping them engaged and excited about the topic itself makes learning that much easier and that much more fun for the students themselves. And I'm looking forward to seeing where everything goes in the future, not only with this drone class, but other ideas that you bring to the district as well. And I truly thank you for all that you're doing, and I wish you the best.

Kyle Sprague [00:09:32]:
Thanks, Chris.