Fort White STEM Educator
Recognized for Inspiring Student Research

Fort White STEM Educator Wayne Oelfke

By Tami Stevenson

FORT WHITE, Fla. — For more than three decades, Wayne Oelfke has encouraged students to look beyond the textbook, ask questions and discover answers for themselves.

That commitment to hands-on learning and scientific inquiry has earned the Fort White High School STEM educator a place in the Society for Science’s 2026-27 Advocate Program, a national initiative that recognizes and supports educators who mentor students as they pursue original scientific research and compete in STEM competitions.

     Oelfke will receive a $3,000 stipend as part of the program, which is investing a total of $326,000 in educators nationwide this year.

     A veteran educator with more than 30 years of experience teaching general and agricultural science, Oelfke has built his approach around project-based learning. He believes students are at their best when they have the opportunity to identify questions that interest them, develop hypotheses and use the scientific method to investigate those questions.

     His philosophy reflects a simple idea: Students learn science best when they are given the opportunity to do science.

     Oelfke earned a degree in general science from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in education with a focus on chemistry. Throughout his career, he has worked to give students opportunities to move beyond memorizing scientific concepts and instead engage in the process of discovery.

     His selection as an Advocate recognizes not only his work in the classroom but also his role in helping students navigate the often challenging process of conducting original research and entering science competitions.

     “I appreciate the opportunity to be an advocate again this year,” Oelfke said. “Just being a member of this organization and for what it stands gives one confidence to know what you are doing is important and can change lives.”

     Oelfke is one of 100 educators selected for this year’s Society for Science Advocate Program cohort, which includes 13 Lead Advocates and 87 Advocates from across the country.

     The program is designed to strengthen the network of educators who help students pursue independent research and participate in science competitions. Since its launch, the program has supported 439 educators and more than 9,100 students. Those students have submitted more than 12,000 entries to STEM competitions.

     For Fort White High School, Oelfke’s recognition highlights the impact that dedicated educators can have on students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

     By encouraging students to ask their own questions and seek evidence-based answers, Oelfke is helping develop more than scientific skills. He is giving students experience in curiosity, problem-solving, persistence and critical thinking — skills that can extend well beyond the classroom.

     His selection also places Fort White among a national community of educators committed to giving students meaningful opportunities to participate in scientific research.

     For Oelfke, however, the recognition appears to come back to what has guided his career from the beginning: giving students the freedom and support to explore.     

     After more than 30 years in education, he continues to believe that when students are given the opportunity to investigate questions that matter to them, they can accomplish remarkable things.